First Observation | Understanding the Solemn Declaration on National Strength and National Rejuvenation from Four Dimensions

　　On the 13th, at the closing session of the First Meeting of the 14th National People’s Congress, President Xi Jinping delivered an important address. The speech made a solemn declaration centered on the theme of “building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation.”

　　The speech upholds the people’s standpoint, strengthens historical confidence, and underscores a sense of mission and responsibility—key elements indispensable for realizing national rejuvenation. It also clearly articulates five “musts” and one “must,” thereby charting the course and providing guiding principles for the development of the Party and the country on the new journey ahead.

　　 Uphold the people’s standpoint—

　　“People” has once again emerged as a key theme. The speech began with a clear statement: “The trust of the people is my greatest source of motivation and the heavy responsibility I bear,” and “We must take the nation’s needs as our mission and the interests of the people as our guiding principle.”

　　The governing philosophy of putting the people first has been consistently upheld and firmly maintained.

　　Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the word “people” has been an absolute staple in General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speeches. “The people’s aspiration for a better life is our goal,” “I am a diligent servant of the people,” and “The country belongs to the people, and the people are the country” are heartfelt words that have deeply resonated with the public, reflecting the General Secretary’s profound and sincere concern for the people.

　　Facing the new journey and its mission, President Xi Jinping further underscored in his address the close link between building a strong country, national rejuvenation, and the people: “In fully building a modern socialist country, the people are the decisive force”; “We must ensure that the fruits of modernization benefit all the people more extensively and equitably”; and “We must rally the mighty strength needed to build a strong country and achieve national rejuvenation.”

　　These remarks profoundly underscore that the building of a strong country and the rejuvenation of the nation must rely firmly on the people, draw wisdom and strength from them, and ultimately serve the people in every respect.

　 　Firmly Uphold Historical Confidence—

　　The speech looked back on more than five millennia of Chinese civilization and the Communist Party of China’s century-long struggle.

　　At a series of major occasions—including the centenary celebration of the founding of the Communist Party of China, the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, which adopted the Party’s third historical resolution, and the 20th National Congress of the CPC—General Secretary Xi Jinping repeatedly underscored landmark historical milestones: the over five thousand years of Chinese civilization, the hundred-year history of the Communist Party of China, and the decade of the new era.

　　History and the present both demonstrate that the development path blazed by our Party in unity with the people, and the great achievements it has attained, are deeply rooted in these historical epochs, embodying a profound historical legacy, a rich cultural heritage, and a solid practical foundation—qualities that have forged the formidable confidence upon which this Party, this country, and this nation can justly rely.

　　Only by understanding history can we see far; only by grasping it can we go far. “On the new journey of striving for excellence, whether we can continue to deliver outstanding results hinges on whether we possess firm historical confidence.”

　　Only when we have faith in our hearts can we go far. General Secretary Xi Jinping, by illuminating the present and the future through the lens of history, seeks to enable the entire Party to discern the laws governing historical development and the overarching trends of our times, thereby elevating its level of understanding and sharpening its capacity for discernment. No matter how many risks and challenges, or how turbulent the waters ahead, we must draw on unwavering historical confidence to strengthen our courage and resolve to press forward with unyielding determination toward our established goals, and to handle current tasks with greater clarity and steadfastness.

　　 Demonstrating Mission and Responsibility—

　　“I will faithfully fulfill the duties entrusted to me by the Constitution, regard the nation’s needs as my mission, and take the people’s interests as my guiding principle. I will perform my duties with utmost dedication and devotion, never letting down the earnest trust placed in me by all deputies and by the people of all ethnic groups across the country!” A forthright and confident declaration, a pledge of weighty consequence.

　　Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping has consistently taken “never let down” as the guiding principle in his work.

　　From securing a decisive victory in the battle against poverty to comprehensively advancing rural revitalization, from deepening reform across the board to promoting high-quality development, and from meeting major challenges and tests to courageously pursuing self-revolution—General Secretary Xi Jinping has always kept in mind that his responsibilities are heavier than Mount Tai, with his heart set on the nation and the people, and he works tirelessly day and night.

　　The greatness of a major country also entails its profound responsibilities. Its greatness lies in the grandeur of its aspirations, while its weight rests in the arduousness of its tasks and the solemn trust placed in it by the people.

　　The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is a relay race passed down from one generation to the next, requiring sustained and concerted efforts; it will by no means be achieved easily or through mere fanfare.

　　“On this new journey, let us deliver achievements that live up to the times, to history, and to the people, and make the contributions our generation ought to make toward advancing national strength and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation!” Taking up the baton of history, General Secretary Xi Jinping has remained steadfast in his convictions and spoken with resolute conviction, demonstrating the unwavering sense of responsibility of a leader of a major party and a major country for the future and destiny of the Party and the nation.

　　 Guiding the way forward—

　　In his address, focusing on the new journey of building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation, General Secretary Xi Jinping set forth five “musts” and one “essential principle” as important guidelines.

　　“We must unswervingly promote high-quality development,” “We must always put the people first,” “We must better balance development and security,” “We must steadily advance the practice of ‘One Country, Two Systems’ and the great cause of national reunification,” and “We must strive to build a community with a shared future for mankind.”

　　Development is the fundamental principle. To strengthen our country’s economic, scientific, and technological capabilities, as well as its overall national strength, we must rely firmly on development. As we advance the comprehensive building of a modern socialist country, we seek high-quality development—focusing on the quality and effectiveness of growth; on achieving self-reliance and self-strengthening in science and technology; on ensuring coordinated regional and industrial structures; and on improving the ecological environment and enabling all people to share in the fruits of development.

　　Putting the people first is the value orientation guiding all our work. To steadfastly uphold this principle, we must firmly embrace the development philosophy of “people-centeredness,” which stands as one of the five major principles that must be firmly held onto as we advance. Only by keeping the people at the forefront and ensuring that our efforts are grounded in their interests can we deliver a performance that truly satisfies the people on this new journey.

　　General Secretary Xi Jinping attaches great importance to the coordinated advancement of development and security. The two are like the two wheels of a vehicle or the two wings of a bird: if either side has a significant weakness, it will undermine the progress of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. “Security is the foundation of development, and stability is the prerequisite for strength.” In the face of a complex and grave domestic and international landscape, as well as numerous risks and challenges, only by better coordinating these two major tasks—development and security—can we stay on the right course and remain unshaken by fleeting distractions, maintaining composure even amid turbulent times.

　　Achieving the complete reunification of the motherland is the common aspiration of all Chinese sons and daughters and an essential component of national rejuvenation. The future and destiny of Taiwan are inextricably linked to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, while the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao depend on the building of a strong country. On the journey toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, not a single compatriot from Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan should be left behind. By following the tide of history and uniting as one—compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and across the nation—we will surely share in the glory of national rejuvenation.

　　The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will not only profoundly transform China but also exert a far-reaching impact on the world. The report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China identifies the promotion of a community with a shared future for mankind as one of the essential requirements of Chinese modernization, using Chinese modernization as a bridge and bond to closely link national rejuvenation with the common future and destiny of all humanity. By steadfastly following this single, correct path of national strength and rejuvenation, Chinese modernization will overturn the logic that “a strong country must seek hegemony,” truly benefiting China and contributing positively to the world.

　　Finally, one “must” is to advance the building of a strong country; this requires upholding the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and earnestly strengthening Party building.

　　The key to successfully managing China’s affairs lies with the Party. To comprehensively build a modern socialist country and achieve the goals and tasks of the new era and new journey, the Party remains the decisive factor. The Party’s leadership is directly linked to the fundamental direction, future prospects, and ultimate success or failure of Chinese‑style modernization. Only by strengthening and consolidating the Party can Chinese‑style modernization advance steadily and far, and only then will we have a solid guarantee for building a strong country and realizing national rejuvenation.

　　Planning: Huo Xiaoguang

　　Lead Author: Huang Yue

　　Coordinated by: Zhang Xiaosong, Zhu Dongju, Wang Xuan

　　Visuals | Editors: Hao Xiaojing, Jia Yining

　　Produced by the Domestic Department of Xinhua News Agency

　　Produced by Xinhua News Agency Studio No. 1