An Unstoppable March—Written on the Tenth Anniversary of the Proposal of the Chinese Dream of National Rejuvenation

　　Building dreams is the steadfast pursuit of an entire nation. Chasing dreams is the vigorous stride of a great country. Fulfilling dreams is the unshakable original aspiration of a great Party.

　　On November 29, 2012, shortly after the conclusion of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the members of the Standing Committee of the 18th CPC Central Politburo visited the “Road to Rejuvenation” exhibition at the National Museum, where General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered a heartfelt address—

　　“Now, everyone is talking about the Chinese Dream. In my view, realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is the greatest dream of the Chinese people since modern times.”

　　On October 31, 2017, just one week after the conclusion of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the members of the Standing Committee of the 19th CPC Central Politburo paid their respects at the site of the First National Congress of the CPC in Shanghai and aboard the Red Boat on South Lake in Jiaxing, Zhejiang. General Secretary Xi Jinping spoke with unwavering resolve—

　　“As long as the entire Party and all the people of China’s various ethnic groups remain united and work tirelessly, the great ship of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will surely ride the winds and break the waves, sailing victoriously toward a bright future.”

　　On October 23, 2022, the day after the closing of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the members of the Standing Committee of the 20th CPC Central Politburo met with domestic and foreign journalists, where General Secretary Xi Jinping solemnly declared—

　　“We must work diligently and shoulder our responsibilities, advancing the sinicization and modernization of Marxism with an even stronger sense of historical initiative, continuously writing new chapters in socialism with Chinese characteristics for the new era, and striving to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.”

　　Looking back over a thousand years, only those nations that have once known glory can truly grasp the meaning of revival.

　　Looking back over the past century, only a nation that has endured hardship can harbor such a profound yearning for rejuvenation.

　　Looking back over the past decade, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has coordinated the strategic overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with the unprecedented global changes of the past century, and has exercised overarching leadership over the great struggle, the great project, the great cause, and the great dream. It has united and led the entire Party and all the people of China in pursuing, realizing, and fulfilling their dreams, thereby propelling historic achievements and transformative changes in the cause of the Party and the country, and ushering in a great leap forward for the Chinese nation—from standing up, to becoming prosperous, to growing strong.

　　Today, the Chinese nation presents to the world a vibrant and thriving spirit, advancing with unstoppable momentum toward great rejuvenation.

　 　“The Chinese Dream of achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation means realizing national prosperity, national revitalization, and the happiness of the people.”

　　The third aircraft carrier was launched and named, the world’s largest container ship was delivered smoothly, and construction began on China’s second domestically built large cruise ship… In 2022, the shipbuilding industry reaped one success after another, with China firmly maintaining its position as the world’s leading shipbuilding nation.

　　From long-standing leadership, to falling behind the times, and then striving to catch up and recapture its former glory, the “Great Ship Dream” encapsulates a century of profound transformation.

　　In modern China, the nation found itself “under a collapsing roof, in a leaking boat, and upon a bed of burning embers.” At the end of 1932, Shanghai’s Oriental Magazine launched a call for submissions titled “New Year’s Dreams,” asking: “What kind of future China do you dream of?” The responses ranged from “no war or massacre, but a life of shared joy” to “the liberation and happiness of all society.” The editorial office received hundreds of such visions, with “prosperity,” “equality,” and “great harmony” emerging as recurring themes.

　　The dream of a strong nation and the dream of national rejuvenation can only be truly ignited under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.

　　From the moment it stepped onto the stage of Chinese politics, the Communist Party of China has held high the torch of Marxist truth, taking the pursuit of happiness for the Chinese people and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation as its original aspiration and mission. Since then, national rejuvenation has had a firm backbone, and the Chinese people have, in spirit, shifted from passivity to initiative.

　　A century of struggle, a century of sacrifice, a century of creation.

　　As China strides boldly into the modern era, the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation bursts forth like the rising sun.

　　“The Chinese Dream of achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation means realizing national prosperity, national revitalization, and the happiness of the people.” Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has put forward the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, advanced this cause through Chinese‑style modernization, coordinated the overall layout of the “five-sphere integrated plan,” and promoted the strategic layout of the “four comprehensives,” thereby guiding China onto a new journey toward building a modern socialist country in all respects.

　　— Along the way, we have pursued our dreams with courage and forged ahead with unwavering determination. The historic sense of responsibility embodied in the spirit of “selflessness,” coupled with a sincere and ardent devotion to the people, has rallied an immense force of unity and striving.

　　On July 1, 2021, General Secretary Xi Jinping solemnly declared from the Tiananmen Gate Tower: “Through the sustained efforts of the entire Party and all the people of China’s various ethnic groups, we have achieved the First Centenary Goal and comprehensively built a moderately prosperous society on Chinese soil.”

　　A millennium-long dream has come true today. Nearly 100 million rural residents living in poverty have been lifted out of poverty, and the issue of extreme poverty that has plagued the Chinese nation for millennia has been resolved once and for all. This remarkable human achievement, etched into the annals of history, is the fruit of the profound care and concern of our great leader.

　　“No matter where I go, I will always be a son of the loess plateau.” Comrade Xi Jinping, who emerged from Liangjiahe, deeply understands the hardships of his fellow villagers and can truly empathize with the poverty they endure.

　　“On the road to moderate prosperity, not a single ethnic minority or region must be left behind.” The deepest affection is transformed into the most solemn commitment.

　　Over the past decade, in rural China, every step taken has measured the progress of poverty alleviation.

　　In Hunan’s Shibadong Village, the old landscape has been transformed; in Yunnan, the Dulong people have leapt forward a millennium in a single stride; and in Sichuan, villagers from the “cliffside village” have bid farewell to rattan ladders, embraced steel stairways, and moved out of the mountains. From the snow‑capped plateaus to the Gobi deserts and the rugged karst regions, countless lives have been changed, and innumerable dreams have come true.

　　Ten years of arduous endeavor, ten years of steadfast action. Stabilizing the economy and promoting development; fighting poverty and building a moderately prosperous society; containing the pandemic and weathering major disasters; adapting to changing circumstances and turning crises into opportunities… Original ideas, pivotal decisions, strategic initiatives, transformative practices, groundbreaking progress, and landmark achievements—under the unified leadership and command of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, we have found a strong backbone in our unity and struggle, and a guiding leader on the path to realizing our dreams.

　　— Pursuing our dreams every step of the way, we forge ahead with courage and determination. With far-sighted, profound thinking and a strategic vision that takes the whole picture into account, we have blazed a bright path with Chinese characteristics.

　　“Earning a living and taking care of my family—both can be done without compromise, and life will only get better!” Liang Weiping, a woman from Wugong County in Shaanxi Province, received training in embroidery skills, found employment close to home, and became a key worker, her confidence growing stronger with each passing day.

　　“The cultural heritage has been strengthened, and vitality has been revitalized!” In Guangzhou’s Yongqing Fang, beneath your feet lies a pavement of flagstone slabs, above you rise rows of verandah‑style arcades, and in the air floats the melodious strains of Cantonese opera. With art‑themed guesthouses and maker spaces thriving side by side, longtime residents can’t help but feel deeply moved.

　　“The waters of the ancient course of the Yangtze River reflect a harmonious beauty.” With net cages removed and farmland returned to wetlands, Shishou’s Tian’e Zhou in Hubei has become home to herds of elk and dolphins leaping in the waves, earning high praise from fisherman Ding Zeliang, who has taken on the role of “dolphin protector.”

　　A more prosperous material life, richer spiritual fulfillment, and a more beautiful ecological environment. Over the past decade, profound transformations have woven together a grand vision of modernization for China in the new era.

　　The Chinese Dream is the dream of a strong nation. The comprehensive building of a modern socialist country embodies the long-cherished aspirations and expectations of the Chinese nation.

　　“Our Party, in leading a major Eastern country with a population of over one billion toward socialist modernization, must uphold the principles of seeking truth from facts, making progress while maintaining stability, and advancing in a coordinated manner; it must strengthen forward-looking thinking, holistic planning, strategic deployment, and integrated implementation.”

　　Advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in an all-round way through Chinese modernization, making steady and confident moves.

　　Modernization on a massive scale, modernization that ensures common prosperity for all the people, modernization that balances material and spiritual progress, modernization that fosters harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, and modernization that follows the path of peaceful development—this is Chinese‑style modernization. It is socialist modernization under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, sharing the common characteristics of modernization across nations while also embodying distinctive Chinese features rooted in its own national conditions.

　　With ever-deepening understanding, steadily maturing strategies, and increasingly rich practice, over the past decade China’s path to modernization has grown ever broader, embracing a bright future of national rejuvenation.

　　— Pursuing our dreams every step of the way, we forge ahead with courage and determination. The splendid new tapestry of our land and rivers, the grand epic of relentless progress, bears witness to the momentous transformations of an extraordinary decade.

　　Unswervingly advancing high-quality development. China’s economic output has surpassed the RMB 110 trillion mark, firmly maintaining its position as the world’s second-largest economy, the largest industrial nation, the largest goods-trading nation, and the country with the largest foreign-exchange reserves, while also joining the ranks of innovative nations… Over the past decade, China’s economic vessel has sailed into even broader waters.

　　Actively developing whole-process people’s democracy. The system of people’s congresses has demonstrated vitality and dynamism, and socialist consultative democracy has been extensively practiced; grassroots democratic initiatives such as “courtyard deliberation halls,” “bench democracy,” and “roundtable meetings” have been deepened… Over the past decade, the people’s role as masters of the country has been firmly grounded.

　　The core socialist values unite the people and rally their strength. China’s fine traditional culture has undergone creative transformation and innovative development, with works such as “The Battle at Lake Changjin” and “Minning Town” both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, while cultural undertakings have flourished. Over the past decade, the entire Party and all ethnic groups across the country have seen a marked increase in cultural confidence.

　　We have remained committed to a people-centered development philosophy. From ensuring early childhood care and education, access to quality schooling, fair remuneration for work, adequate medical services, dignified elderly care, secure housing, and targeted support for the vulnerable, we have firmly safeguarded the basic living standards of the people and proactively prevented and defused various risks. Over the past decade, our efforts to improve people’s livelihoods have truly warmed the hearts of the Chinese people.

　　Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets. We have fought and won the battles to protect our blue skies, clean waters, and uncontaminated soil; the river chief, lake chief, and forest chief systems have been put into practice; and efforts to peak carbon emissions and achieve carbon neutrality have advanced in a proactive yet prudent manner. Over the past decade, the vision of a Beautiful China has come vividly to life.

　　Uphold the spiritual lineage of the Chinese Communists, rooted in the great spirit of Party building. Remain true to our original aspiration and keep our mission firmly in mind; be modest and prudent, and strive arduously; dare to struggle and be adept at struggling; strengthen our historical confidence and enhance our sense of historical initiative; hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics; and advance in all respects the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

　　A decade of transformation has erected a great monument. The Chinese people have demonstrated an even stronger sense of historical consciousness and initiative, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical trajectory. Scientific socialism has once again burst forth with vigorous vitality in 21st‑century China. Ultimately, this is because the Party has grown ever stronger and more resolute through its revolutionary forging, and because the “two establishments” have taken deep root in the hearts of the people.

　　Over the past extraordinary decade, the “two establishments” have been enshrined in the great journey of forging ahead in the new era and etched into the hearts of more than 1.4 billion Chinese people.

　　Over the past extraordinary decade, we have felt this deeply: the Party’s establishment of Comrade Xi Jinping as the core of the CPC Central Committee and the core of the entire Party, and its affirmation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guiding ideology, have been decisive factors in achieving historic accomplishments and undergoing historic transformations in the cause of the Party and the country. They represent the greatest source of certainty, confidence, and assurance in overcoming all difficulties and challenges and in addressing every form of uncertainty.

　　Standing together, thinking together, and working together. Over the past decade of pursuing our dreams, we have amply demonstrated that unity is the key to victory, and only through hard work can we achieve success. By reclaiming the “lost two centuries,” China in the new era has leapt from a country long delayed in modernization to a global engine of modernization, propelling the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation into an irreversible historical trajectory and unveiling an unprecedentedly bright future.

　　 “The Chinese Dream is, at its core, the dream of the people; it must be realized by relying firmly on the people and continuously delivering benefits to them.”

　　On the evening of February 4, 2022, the Beijing Winter Olympics opened as scheduled. Around 10 p.m., the entire venue rose to its feet, drawing the world’s attention, as the Olympic flag was slowly hoisted. The pure, unaccompanied voices of children left the audience holding their breath.

　　“Valleys, mountains, and the sea all shine in harmony with you…” The children, singing the Olympic Hymn in Greek, emerged from the valleys and mountains. Their home, Fuping County in Hebei Province, was once a key county for national poverty‑alleviation efforts, nestled deep in the Taihang Mountains. In that moment, the mountain children, singing with confidence, fulfilled their small dream and savored the rich gifts that sport bestows upon humanity.

　　The Olympic dream is the dream of a strong nation. From the resounding “Three Questions on the Olympics” of 1908 to Beijing’s historic achievement in 2022 as the world’s first “Dual-Olympic City,” generation after generation of Chinese people has carried the torch of their aspirations, passing it on with each stride. In the concrete actions and steadfast efforts of every individual, the national dream and the dream of the Chinese nation have taken root, sprouted, and flourished.

　　“The Chinese Dream, at its core, is the dream of the people; it must be realized by relying firmly on the people and continuously delivering benefits to them.” “The dreams of moderate prosperity, national strength, and the Chinese Dream are, at their root, the people’s ‘dream of happiness.’ All the endeavors of the Communist Party of China are aimed at securing happiness for the people.”

　　General Secretary Xi Jinping’s heartfelt remarks have elucidated the core values of the Chinese Dream, identified its driving forces, and underscored the governing consciousness of a Marxist political party.

　　— The Chinese Dream is a dream of both family and country. Each individual’s future and destiny are inextricably linked to the future and destiny of the nation and the ethnic group. When the country prospers and the nation thrives, everyone will prosper as well. To cultivate talent and serve the country, to rejuvenate China—this is an unyielding conviction passed down from generation to generation, a timeless echo resounding across the vast land of China.

　　Looking back over the past decade and pursuing the “dream of resting in the shade beneath the rice plants,” we have strengthened our grain reserves and ensured greater food security. In chasing the “dream of reaching for the moon,” we have seen the Shenzhou spacecraft venture into space, the Chang’e lunar probes land on the moon, the Zhurong rover explore Mars, and the Xihe solar probe chase the sun. As we strive for the “dream of revitalizing industry,” we have firmly maintained our position as the world’s largest manufacturing nation and built the most comprehensive industrial system on Earth…

　　By integrating the nation’s aspirations, the ethnic group’s ideals, and the people’s expectations, the “Chinese Dream” embodies the common interests of the Chinese nation and the Chinese people, drawing the largest possible circle of shared purpose and guiding all sons and daughters of China to think as one and strive with one heart.

　　This is a vibrant, innovation-driven China, where people’s sense of gain has grown even richer. High-tech enterprises are both improving in quality and expanding in scale, while the ranks of highly skilled professionals are rapidly swelling. In 2021, the per capita disposable income of Chinese residents rose by 78.1% in real terms compared with 2012, and the opportunities for workers to realize their potential have become ever broader.

　　This is a beautiful, green, and livable China, where a sense of well-being is more sustainable. Over the past decade of the new era, with relocation-based poverty alleviation, the renovation of aging residential neighborhoods, and the low-carbon transformation of industries, our country has seen bluer skies, greener mountains, and clearer waters. Meanwhile, average life expectancy per capita has risen from 73.5 years in 2012 to 78.2 years in 2021, and the number of “longevity villages” and centenarians continues to grow.

　　This is a heartwarming, harmonious China, where public security is even more assured. China has built the world’s largest social security and healthcare systems, and public confidence in safety has risen from 87.55% in 2012 to 98.62% in 2021, enabling people to genuinely feel that fairness and justice are within reach.

　　— The Chinese Dream is the dream of the people. National prosperity and national rejuvenation must ultimately be reflected in the happiness and well-being of countless families. Only when every household prospers can the nation and the nation as a whole thrive. Working for the people’s welfare and enabling everyone to shine are the enduring aspirations passed down through a century, and the inexhaustible driving force behind building and realizing our dreams.

　　On the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the “Snowland Road” has set free the “dream of seeking knowledge.” In October 2013, the only county in China without road access—Motuo County in Tibet—finally gained a paved highway. With more vehicles and greater prosperity, the teaching staff has become more stable, and multimedia equipment has made its way into classrooms. For the first time, the enrollment rate among Monba children has reached 100 percent. Teacher Gelsang Deji, the “guardian of dreams,” now smiles even more brightly: “The transformation of education in Motuo has been nothing short of earth‑shaking, and the people of Motuo feel genuine happiness and pride from the bottom of their hearts.”

　　Along the banks of the Huangpu River, “youthful dreams” warmly embrace “a golden sunset.” At the Yangpu District Social Welfare Institute in Shanghai, 26-year-old Wang Cheng from Sichuan provides daily care to elderly residents with disabilities, teaching them games, helping them make friends, and guiding them through the internet. A group of seniors, with an average age exceeding 90, has gone viral online thanks to their creative videos, experiencing the joy of being both cared for and fulfilled in their later years. Meanwhile, Wang Cheng has turned his learning into tangible results and earned a well-deserved reward, securing permanent residency in Shanghai as a key talent.

　　On the front lines of industry, “grand projects” are turning into dreams of craftsmanship. Gao Fenglin, who came from a poor family, took part in welding the “heart” of the Long March series rockets, raising the pass rate of engine‑pump pre‑assembly components from 29% to 92% and earning invitations from the international aerospace community to provide guidance. Li Wanjun, a first‑generation high‑speed rail worker, invented more than 30 bogie‑welding techniques, including the “pull‑gun right‑hand welding method,” helping to overcome the speed‑increase bottleneck of the Fuxing bullet train and earning the title of “worker academician.”…

　　“We’re all running hard; we’re all dream chasers.” “Ordinary people make the extraordinary, and heroes come from the people. Everyone is remarkable!”

　　From ensuring that “not a single person is left behind” in the pursuit of moderate prosperity, to placing common prosperity “in an even more prominent position”; from deepening reform across the board on the principle of “responding to the people’s calls with concrete reforms,” to advancing law-based governance nationwide by “striving to ensure that the people feel fairness and justice in every judicial case”... Dreams have become reality, and the Chinese people have never been as prosperous and confident as they are today.

　　Wang Jicai, who defended the island and safeguarded the nation for 32 years; Du Fuguo, who sacrificed himself to protect his comrades; Zhang Fuqing, who remained true to his original aspirations throughout his life; the 31 heroic firefighters from Muli, Sichuan, who gave their lives in the line of duty; and also delivery couriers, sanitation workers, taxi drivers—these ordinary strivers and dream-chasers, repeatedly praised by General Secretary Xi Jinping in his New Year address—have, with their unwavering resolve and their relay of solidarity, forged the vigorous tide of progress and the inspiring spirit of China in the new era.

　　Everyone strives to become talented; everyone has the potential to succeed; and everyone can fully realize their talents. Over the past decade of pursuing our dreams, it has been amply demonstrated that realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation requires not only a more robust institutional framework and a stronger material foundation, but also a more proactive spiritual force. By integrating personal aspirations into the grand dreams of the country and the nation, the Chinese people have gained even greater momentum, an unwavering spirit of striving, and an unshakable conviction of victory.

　　 “The Chinese Dream we seek to realize will not only benefit the Chinese people but also bring benefits to people of all nations.”

　　In the Kaloufi Valley of Papua New Guinea’s Eastern Highlands Province, in the South Pacific, three-meter-tall mushroom‑grass sways gently in the breeze, resembling an endless green canopy. “Chinese mushroom grass is ‘happiness grass’! With it, cattle can be ready for market in just one year, and incomes double,” says herder Haki.

　　A single strain of mushroom grass has borne witness to a friendship that spans mountains and seas. After 20 years of sustained promotion, mushroom‑grass technology has taken root in more than 100 countries and regions worldwide, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs for local communities.

　　“The Chinese Dream we seek to realize will not only benefit the Chinese people but also bring prosperity to peoples around the world.” “Through China’s development journey, we have come to deeply appreciate that when the world prospers, China prospers; and when China prospers, the world becomes even better.”

　　On the international stage, General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly affirmed that he will win the understanding and support of countries around the world for the Chinese Dream.

　　To advance human progress and strive for global harmony. Over the past extraordinary decade, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has coordinated the two overarching contexts, firmly standing on the side of historical justice and the side of human civilization’s advancement, and has worked to build a community with a shared future for mankind. The Chinese Dream and the world’s dream are closely interconnected and resonate in unison.

　　—The Chinese Dream is a dream of win-win cooperation. Over the past decade, we have embraced the world with an even more open stance and made significant contributions to global economic development.

　　At the recently concluded Fifth China International Import Expo, 284 companies from the Global Fortune 500 and leading industry players gathered in Shanghai. The number of free exhibition booths allocated to enterprises from least developed countries nearly doubled compared with the previous session, while the total intended transaction value reached US$73.52 billion on an annual basis—both figures hitting record highs. Against the backdrop of a challenging global economic recovery, these results are all the more remarkable and weighty, vividly reflecting China’s commitment to a vision of justice and mutual benefit that welcomes guests from across the globe and seeks to advance the common interests of all nations.

　　Over the past decade, major events such as the China International Import Expo, the China International Fair for Trade in Services, the Canton Fair, and the China International Consumer Goods Expo have been held one after another. The negative list for foreign investment access has continued to shrink, while pilot free trade zones and the Hainan Free Trade Port have steadily expanded. China’s door of openness has opened ever wider, sharing its markets and opportunities with countries around the world. China has consistently pursued mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, striving for shared prosperity, and has continuously leveraged its own new development to create fresh opportunities for the world. From 2013 to 2021, China’s average contribution to global economic growth reached 38.6%, surpassing the combined share of the G7 nations, making it a pivotal engine on the global economic stage.

　　— The Chinese Dream is a dream of peaceful development. Over the past decade, we have advanced the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, injecting steadfast confidence into global prosperity and development.

　　“In the past, I often watched China’s high-speed rail on TV. Now we’ll have our own high-speed rail too—traveling will be so much more convenient!” On November 16, 2022, the trial run of Indonesia’s Jakarta–Bandung High-Speed Railway was a complete success, and Indonesian youth Putra could hardly contain his joy. The entire line adheres to Chinese standards, with a maximum test speed of 385 kilometers per hour. As Southeast Asia’s first high-speed railway, it marks another landmark project in the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative.

　　“Integrate the Chinese Dream with the aspirations of the peoples of all countries along the route!” Since the Belt and Road Initiative was launched more than nine years ago, over 140 countries and more than 30 international organizations have actively participated, bringing widespread benefits to the people of participating nations: the Maldives now boasts a cross-sea bridge, Belarus has established an automobile manufacturing industry, Kazakhstan has gained access to the sea, and the China–Europe Railway Express has become the longest-lasting cooperative link across the Eurasian continent. According to a World Bank research report, the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative is expected to lift 7.6 million people in participating countries out of extreme poverty, help 32 million people escape moderate poverty, and increase global income by 0.7% to 2.9%.

　　From freehand brushwork to meticulous painting, the magnificent panorama of high-quality joint Belt and Road cooperation stands as a vivid testament to China’s efforts in the new era to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

　　Let unity replace division, cooperation supplant confrontation, and inclusiveness take the place of exclusivity. From jointly advancing global poverty reduction and participating in international anti-pandemic cooperation, to proposing the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative; from upholding common values for all humanity and advocating that mutual learning among civilizations transcend clashes of civilizations, to announcing the “dual carbon” goals and promoting the implementation of the Paris Agreement—China in the new era has consistently pursued a path of peaceful development, striving to build a world of lasting peace, universal security, common prosperity, openness and inclusiveness, and cleanliness and beauty. As a result, its international influence, appeal, and capacity to shape global affairs have been significantly enhanced.

　　—The Chinese Dream is a dream that benefits the world. Over the past decade, we have successfully advanced and expanded Chinese modernization, offering humanity a new path toward modernization.

　　On November 14, 2022, during his meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, President Xi Jinping stated clearly: “The United States has its own form of democracy, and China has its own; both are suited to their respective national conditions. China’s whole-process people’s democracy is rooted in China’s national conditions and historical culture, reflects the will of the people, and we take equal pride in it.”

　　“All roads lead to Rome.” Every country and every nation has its own dreams; owing to differences in history, culture, and stages of development, the substance of these dreams varies, as do the paths and means by which they are realized. There is neither a single, universally accepted model of modernization nor a one-size-fits-all standard for achieving it.

　　Rejecting a capital‑centric model and averting polarization; curbing the expansion of materialism and the hollowing out of the spiritual realm; abandoning the law of the jungle, eschewing hegemony and unilateral dominance, and transcending zero‑sum games—China’s path to modernization upholds peaceful development… It dispels the myth that modernization is synonymous with Westernization, broadens the pathways for developing countries to achieve modernization, and offers a fresh alternative to nations and peoples around the world that seek both accelerated development and the preservation of their independence.

　　Dialogue and consultation, joint development and shared benefits, win-win cooperation, and mutual learning through exchange. Over the past decade of pursuing our dreams, it has been amply demonstrated that by following the great path of peace and development, the realization of the Chinese Dream brings opportunities rather than threats, peace rather than turmoil, and progress rather than regression to the world. The Chinese people are not only committed to realizing the Chinese Dream; they also stand ready to work with the international community to build an even better world.

　　 “The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will by no means be achieved easily or through mere fanfare.”

　　The journey of dreams is never a smooth one.

　　General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized: “The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will by no means be achieved easily or through mere fanfare. The entire Party must be prepared to make even more arduous and strenuous efforts.”

　　Over the past decade of the new era, we have faced the perils of wading through treacherous shallows, the arduous climb of steep slopes, and the daunting challenges of breaking through formidable barriers. Under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, we have grasped the historical characteristics of this new great struggle, seized and made the most of historic opportunities, carried forward the spirit of struggle, honed our capacity to fight, overcome numerous long‑standing problems that had eluded resolution, accomplished many major undertakings of lasting significance, withstood one after another enormous risks and challenges, and created one miracle after another.

　　— To realize the great dream, we must engage in a great struggle.

　　In 2019, Hong Kong faced its most severe challenges since its return to the motherland. Amidst turbulent winds and towering waves, the Party Central Committee assessed the situation with keen insight and made decisive decisions, advancing both symptomatic and root‑cause solutions through the rule of law, and upholding and improving the institutional framework of “One Country, Two Systems.” In accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law, it effectively exercised full governance over the HKSAR, enacted and implemented the National Security Law for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and ensured the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong,” thereby bringing about a major turning point in Hong Kong’s trajectory—from chaos to governance.

　　At the beginning of 2020, the COVID‑19 pandemic struck unexpectedly. The Party Central Committee coordinated the overall situation and exercised strategic leadership, upholding the principle of putting the people and their lives first. It united and led the Chinese people in waging a people’s war, an all‑out war, and a blocking operation against the epidemic, thereby safeguarding the lives and health of the people to the greatest extent possible and achieving the world’s best results in balancing economic development with epidemic prevention and control.

　　“To achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, we must uphold the spirit of struggle.” China is currently at a critical juncture in realizing this goal, with reform and development entering a crucial phase marked by daunting challenges. Under such circumstances, we must press forward all the more resolutely, bravely confront difficulties, and rise to the occasion.

　　Looking back over the past decade, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee, we have bravely navigated headwinds and faced relentless waves; in times of crisis, we have forged new opportunities, and amid profound changes, we have opened up new prospects. Through struggle, we have safeguarded our national dignity and core interests, continuously achieving new victories in the great struggle.

　　— To realize the great dream, we must build the great project.

　　At the southern foot of the Qilian Mountains, in Qinghai’s Muli mining area, years of illegal and reckless extraction once left behind a terrifying “sky pit.” Restoring the natural ecosystem begins with a political perspective, a shift in mindset, and a rigorous review of political discipline. Through comprehensive remediation, we have reinvigorated an atmosphere of integrity and uprightness, bringing back verdant grasslands that stretch endlessly beneath a clear sky.

　　“To forge iron, one must first be strong oneself.” Upholding the Party’s overall leadership is the fundamental cornerstone of the country’s and the nation’s prosperity and development, as well as the bedrock of the happiness and well-being of all our people. By concentrating wholeheartedly on strengthening Party building, our Party will grow ever more mature, purer, stronger, and more capable of shouldering its mission.

　　Looking back over the past decade, from setting the tone and implementing the CPC Central Committee’s Eight-point Decision on Improving Party and Government Conduct to tackling the “Four Undesirables” with a tenacious, step-by-step approach, and launching coordinated campaigns to “take down tigers,” “swat flies,” and “hunt foxes,” we have continuously deepened the Party’s self-revolution. The fight against corruption has achieved an overwhelming victory and been comprehensively consolidated, forging the entire Party into “a solid block of steel.”

　　“By exercising full and rigorous governance over the Party, we have found the second answer—self-revolution—that enables us to break free from the historical cycle of chaos and prosperity. The Party’s leadership has grown stronger and more effective, and the political environment within the Party has been thoroughly revitalized, providing a fundamental political guarantee for realizing the Chinese Dream,” said Wang Xiangming, a professor at Renmin University of China.

　　— To realize the great dream, we must advance the great cause.

　　“Turn me into a farmer, and turn the farmers into me”—this was the enduring conviction of Li Baoguo, the “New Yu Gong of Taihang.” “Many people leave the countryside and never want to return, but someone has to come back—and I am that person,” declared Huang Wenshu, a national role model in the fight against poverty. Mobilizing all their strength to break through the stronghold of extreme poverty, millions of Party members and cadres have forged ahead, braving countless obstacles and working tirelessly day and night.

　　“Poverty is not socialism; egalitarianism that perpetuates poverty is not socialism; nor is prosperity that is uneven and marked by polarization. Only common prosperity embodies socialism.” The path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, forged through the concerted efforts of the Chinese people and firmly rooted in the Chinese land, is the right path to bring happiness and peace to the Chinese nation.

　　Looking back over the past decade, by staying committed to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and upholding the spiritual backbone of the new era, we have won the largest-ever battle against poverty in human history, successfully advanced and broadened Chinese-style modernization, and are now pressing forward toward common prosperity for all the people.

　　Unyielding in the face of adversity, unafraid of ghosts or oppression. A decade of pursuing our dreams has amply demonstrated that by strengthening the resolve, fortitude, and confidence of the entire Party and all the people of China, and by pressing forward undaunted by difficulties and meeting challenges head-on, we will surely overcome every obstacle and challenge on the road ahead and, through tenacious struggle, open up new horizons for the development of our cause.

　　“Let us embark on a new journey and set out toward our new goals.”

　　A dialogue that transcends history is also a declaration for the future.

　　Less than a week after the conclusion of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping led the newly elected members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to Yan’an, Shaanxi Province.

　　Yan’an is the sacred land of the Chinese revolution and the cradle of New China. At this pivotal moment—when we embark on a new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects and march toward the Second Centenary Goal—the next chapter of our dream‑chasing endeavor begins.

　　“Comrades! The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has set forth the major principles and policies guiding the Party and the country for the present and the period ahead, and has drawn up a grand blueprint for advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese modernization.” General Secretary Xi Jinping declared with resolute conviction, “Let us embark on a new journey and set out toward our new goals!”

　　— On the new journey ahead, we must always maintain a spirited and enterprising mindset.

　　The sea breeze gently sweeps through Shenzhen Bay, where more than 3.8 million market entities are thriving, nearly 300 Fortune Global 500 companies have invested and established operations, entrepreneurs have become local specialties, and scientists are highly sought after.

　　On the Saihanba Plateau, waves of pines rustle in the breeze. The man-made forest, with trees spaced just one meter apart, could encircle the Earth’s equator twelve times. Through unwavering dedication, the once‑vast sea of yellow sand has been transformed into an endless expanse of green. The builders of this mechanized forest firmly believe: “If a person falls, they can rise again; if a tree falls, it can be propped up. As long as our convictions remain unshaken and our dreams never fade, we will turn every hillside on Saihanba into a verdant landscape!”

　　A great spirit sustains great aspirations. As we embark on a new journey, only by working tirelessly and shouldering responsibilities with a sense of commitment—advancing the sinicization and modernization of Marxism with an even stronger spirit of historical initiative—can we continue to write new chapters in socialism with Chinese characteristics for the new era.

　　— On the new journey ahead, we must always put the people first and rely on the people in everything we do.

　　Deep in the Dabie Mountains, in Danjiamiao Village, Huoshan County, Anhui Province, Chen Laifeng, a post‑90s farmer, uses her smartphone as a farming tool to livestream her agricultural work. Her online sales have exceeded RMB 10 million annually, helping more than 3,000 local households achieve shared prosperity.

　　At the eastern foot of the Helan Mountains, in Minning Town, Yongning County, Ningxia, vast vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see, while goji berries and mushrooms thrive. Per capita annual income has surged from less than 500 yuan at the time of relocation to over 16,000 yuan in 2021, transforming what was once a “barren sandy beach” into a “golden shore.”

　　The people are the very foundation of a strong Party and a prosperous nation. Along the way, we have relied firmly on the people to deliver one historic achievement after another. Looking ahead, we must continue to share the same breath, the same destiny, and the same heart, forging a powerful synergy that unites us in striving to realize the Chinese Dream.

　　— On the new journey, we must steadfastly advance the Party’s self-revolution.

　　On October 25, the first meeting of the CPC Central Politburo held after the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China reviewed the “Detailed Rules for Implementing the CPC Central Politburo’s Eight-point Decision on Improving Party and Government Conduct,” making new arrangements to steadfastly uphold the spirit of the eight-point decision.

　　The key to building a modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation lies with the Party. Only a Party that remains true to its original aspiration despite enduring countless trials and tribulations, and that, even after achieving great glory, continues to courageously engage in self-revolution, can ensure enduring stability and invincibility, and remain the most reliable and steadfast pillar of the Chinese people.

　　“By always maintaining the clarity and prudence of those who are still on the journey to pass the test, and by relentlessly advancing comprehensive and strict Party self-governance, our Party will surely continue to radiate vigorous vitality through self-revolution,” said Zhou Yezhong, Vice President of Wuhan University.

　　— On the new journey ahead, we must continue to uphold the common values of all humanity.

　　In Bali, Indonesia, at the 17th G20 Leaders’ Summit, President Xi Jinping delivered an important address, emphasizing: “China will unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development, unswervingly deepen reform and expand opening-up, and unswervingly advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-style modernization.”

　　This marks the first time that China’s top leader has attended a multilateral summit since the successful convening of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. China has voiced a strong call for advancing global development and leading global governance, and the international community has once again witnessed a China that is trustworthy, endearing, and admirable.

　　China’s development is inseparable from the world, and the world’s development, in turn, depends on China. A China that continues to advance along the path of modernization will undoubtedly offer the world greater opportunities, inject stronger momentum into international cooperation, and make even greater contributions to the progress of all humanity.

　　With firm confidence and united resolve, we will work tirelessly and forge ahead with courage. A decade of pursuing our dreams has pointed the way to the future: the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics possesses unparalleled vitality and creativity, while the Chinese people and the Chinese nation exhibit extraordinary cohesion and centripetal force. We are fully capable of firmly holding the destiny of China’s development and progress in our own hands.

　　*** ***

　　After a century of arduous endeavor, we have advanced toward national rejuvenation through unity and struggle.

　　Ten years of steadfast dedication—through unity and hard work, we have pursued our dreams and achieved brilliance.

　　“From now on, the central task of the Communist Party of China is to unite and lead the people of all ethnic groups across the country in fully building a modern socialist power and achieving the Second Centenary Goal, thereby advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-style modernization.”

　　The blueprint has been drawn, and the clarion call has sounded. As we embark on this great expedition filled with glory and dreams, let us rally even more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, deeply appreciate the decisive significance of the “two establishments,” strengthen our “four consciousnesses,” bolster our “four confidences,” and uphold the “two safeguards.” With our hearts united and our efforts pooled, we must be confident and self-reliant, stay true to fundamentals while fostering innovation, press forward with vigor and determination, and forge ahead with courage and resolve—contributing the wisdom and strength of our generation to the realization of the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, and creating achievements and glories that will belong to our era.

　　Unite in struggle and strive to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

　　This is an irreversible process; this is an unstoppable march.

Source: Xinhua News Agency Reporters: Lu Yanan, Xu Jun, Liu Zhiqiang