The 18th National Congress of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions was inaugurated on the morning of October 9 at the Great Hall of the People. Xi Jinping, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and other leaders of the Party and the State attended the congress and extended their congratulations. Cai Qi delivered a speech on behalf of the CPC Central Committee. Weng Zuliang, Party Group Secretary and Chairman of China Minmetals, attended the congress.

Cai Qi, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, delivered a speech titled Writing a Brilliant Chapter of the Chinese Working Class in Their Dedication to Building a Strong Nation and Realizing National Rejuvenation, extending warm congratulations to the convening of the congress and to the workers and union officials throughout the country. In his speech, Cai Qi mentioned that since the 17th National Congress of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, the trade unions at all levels, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, have strengthened the Party building, deepened reform and innovation, and reinforced their role in guiding workers' ideological and political work. Besides, they have deepened the reform to train industrial workers, fulfilled their responsibilities for safeguarding legitimate public rights and interests, helped to foster harmonious labor relations, and mobilized workers to make greater contributions in the new era. Together with the people of the whole country, they have embarked on a new journey towards the building of a modern socialist China in all respects.

Cai Qi said that the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China established the central task of making more contributions to the building of a strong country and rejuvenation of our nation with Chinese modernization. The central task of the Party serves as the theme and direction of the Chinese workers' movement and the work of trade unions. Trade unions at all levels should thoroughly study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, as well as the important statement of General Secretary Xi Jinping on the working class and trade union work. To be specific, they should remain loyal to the Party's cause and serve the workers wholeheartedly. They should consistently maintain the right political direction, actively rally the workers, and earnestly enhance the quality of providing rights protection services and legal aids. Besides, they should fully play their role as bridges and links, facilitate the effective implementation of the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee, and strive to write a new chapter in the workers' movement of the Party.

At the congress, the Amendments to the Constitution of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, the Financial Report of the 17th Executive Committee of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, and the Work Report of the 17th Funds Auditing Committee of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions were submitted to the delegates in the form of written reports for their deliberation.

Zhang Ye, Employee Director and Trade Union Chairman of China Minmetals, Liu Xiangguo, Chief Technician of China Minmetals and Deputy Plant Manager of Zinc Electrolysis Plant of Zhuzhou Smelter Group Co., Ltd., Zhang Gang, Trade Union Chairman of China Huaye Group, and Fu Xiaozhen, Laboratory Tester at the Quality Assurance Center of China Minmetals Copper (Hunan) Co., Ltd., attended the congress as delegates.