THE annual sessions of China’s top legislative and advisory bodies were held in Beijing from March 3 to 20, during which Xi Jinping was re-elected Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People’s Republic of China.
In his speech on March 20 at the closing meeting of the first session of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC), Xi pointed out that no matter how high a position one holds, all personnel of state organs should keep firmly in mind that our republic is the People’s Republic of China, and we should always put the people in the most prominent place in our hearts, always serve the people wholeheartedly, and always work hard for the people’s interests and happiness.
In his speech, Xi mentioned the word “people” as many as 84 times, reflecting his vision of people-centered development.
Xi Jinping walks to the rostrum to take a public oath of allegiance to the Constitution after he is elected Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission of the PRC at the fifth plenary meeting of the first session of the 13th NPC on March 17.
Xi emphasized that the great national spirit, fostered, passed down, and developed by the Chinese people in their hard work over a long period of time, has offered a strong impetus for the development of China and human civilization. The Chinese people are people with great creativity. Xi noted that he is confident that as long as the over 1.3 billion Chinese people keep on developing such creativity, China will definitely create miracles one after another. The Chinese people have the spirit of hard work, Xi said. He believes as long as we uphold this spirit, we will definitely fulfill the goal of creating a better life. The Chinese people have the spirit of unity, he said, and he believes as long as we uphold this spirit, we will definitely forge an unstoppable and invincible force. The Chinese people are great dreamers, he said, and he believes that as long as we keep pursuing our dreams, we will realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Having such great people, nation, and ethos is our pride, and gives us strength to keep confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and to press ahead in spite of all difficulties.
Xi pointed out that China is a socialist country of people’s democratic dictatorship under the leadership of the working class based on an alliance of workers and farmers; it is a country where all power of the state belongs to the people. We must base our efforts on the interests of the people, ensure the principal status of the people, humbly learn from the people, heed to their needs, and draw on their wisdom. We must ensure that it is the basic criterion of our work to gain people’s backing, acceptance, satisfaction, and approval. We must focus our efforts on addressing the most pressing, most immediate issues that concern the people the most. We must also ensure that all Chinese people could share the happiness and pride in the course of national rejuvenation.
Xi stressed that only when people have confidence, will the nation have a bright future and strength. Now socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era, the hard-working, brave Chinese people are showing more confidence, self-respect, and self-improvement. China, a nation in the East that is both ancient and modern, is full of vigor and undergoing great changes. The path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics are of great vitality, evinced by the miracles having happened in our land one after another.
We have full confidence in our future. We should adapt ourselves to the new historic juncture for the development of our country, act in response to the evolution of the principal contradiction facing Chinese society. We should remain committed to the underlying principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, stick to a people-centered development vision, and ensure coordinated implementation of the five-sphere integrated plan and the four-pronged comprehensive strategy, so as to break new ground for the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.
The world we live in is full of hope and challenges. The Chinese people have always had a strong sense of justice and compassion. The Chinese people have always tied their destiny closely to that of the people of other nations. China will continue to hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit. China will stay on the path of peaceful development and continue to pursue a mutually beneficial strategy of opening-up. It will contribute more Chinese wisdom, Chinese solutions, and Chinese strength to the world, to push for building an open, inclusive, clean, and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security, and common prosperity. Let the radiance of a community with a shared future for humankind illuminate the world.
Xi stressed that the CPC’s leadership is the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The Party is the highest force for political leadership and the fundamental guarantee of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. To shoulder the historic responsibility of leading the people in the great social revolution, the CPC must have the courage to reform itself, adhere to its commitment of serving the public good and exercising power in the interests of the people, exercise strict self-governance, resolutely eradicate all types of inaction and corruption, always have a heart-to-heart communion with the people, always share comforts and hardships with the people, always work hard together with the people, always stay true to the nature of a Marxist governing party, always remain ahead of its time, and always be the backbone of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation.
We should ride the waves of the new era at full steam, remaining steadfast in our direction, and maintaining strong morale. The giant steamer of the Chinese nation bearing the great dreams of over 1.3 billion Chinese people hence will keep overcoming difficulties and forging ahead, and set sail for a long voyage into a future full of hopes.
(Compiled by China Today according to Xinhua News)
