Chinese President Xi Jinping urged China to meet its full-year economic targets and ensure a strong start to the 15th five-year plan, saying the economy had advanced despite pressure and remained resilient and dynamic. Speaking Wednesday at a reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic, Xi called for adherence to the principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability and for full implementation of the new development philosophy. He also reaffirmed opposition to Taiwan independence and external interference, while calling for deeper cross-Strait exchanges, peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and progress toward national reunification. The speech was Xi's first major address since a summit with US President Donald Trump.