[CCTV Quick Commentary] In the new era, Chinese youth should embody this spirit and vigor.

　　“In your letter, you said that only by venturing deep into the heart of rural China can one truly grasp what it means to seek truth from facts and how to connect with the people. You also emphasized that young people should ‘seek out hardship for themselves’—a point well made. In the new era, Chinese youth should embody this very spirit.” On the eve of the May Fourth Youth Day, General Secretary Xi Jinping recently replied to a letter from students at the Science and Technology Courtyard of China Agricultural University, wholeheartedly commending their spirit of “seeking out hardship” and expressing earnest expectations for young people in the new era.

　　In his reply letter, General Secretary Xi Jinping fully commended the determination and actions of young students at China Agricultural University in serving the modernization of agriculture and rural areas, thereby charting a clear course for the growth and development of youth in the new era. The General Secretary’s earnest expectations not only provide tremendous encouragement to the vast ranks of young people working tirelessly on the front lines of rural revitalization, but also inspire young people across all sectors to forge ahead with resolve and pursue their goals with unwavering dedication, enabling their youthful years to shine brightly on this new journey.

　　When the youth are strong, the nation is strong. Today’s Chinese youth are born into a great era, with an unprecedentedly broad stage to showcase their talents and an exceptionally bright prospect for realizing their dreams. General Secretary Xi Jinping has drawn on classic sayings such as “A sharp sword is forged through grinding, and the plum blossom’s fragrance arises from bitter cold” and “Talent has always been cultivated through arduous effort; let it soar to the heights and brave wind and rain” to inspire and encourage young people. The General Secretary has profoundly emphasized that humanity’s noble ideals cannot be attained effortlessly; they require relentless hard work, marked by pioneering spirit and tireless dedication. In this new era, Chinese youth must keep the General Secretary’s earnest exhortations firmly in mind, seize opportunities, shoulder heavy responsibilities, face hardships without fear, and proactively immerse themselves at the grassroots level and among the people. By engaging in vibrant practice, they will weather storms, broaden their horizons, strengthen their resolve, and hone their abilities, thereby demonstrating the vigor and spirit that define Chinese youth in the new era.

　　Fully advancing rural revitalization calls for young people, while the broad stage offered by rural revitalization provides them with opportunities to achieve their potential. In recent years, a growing number of young people—ranging from volunteers and university graduates to skilled youth and young entrepreneurs—have been actively working in the fields, providing crucial human resources and injecting fresh vitality into the cause. On this new journey, the vast ranks of young people on the “agriculture, rural areas, and farmers” front must harbor lofty aspirations while remaining grounded; they should closely integrate theoretical knowledge with practical experience in rural settings, cultivate a deep love for agriculture, and hone the skills needed to drive rural development. They must write their papers on the land, using concrete actions to elevate China’s agricultural science and technology, implement the strategy of “ensuring food security through land and technology,” and help secure a decisive victory in the battle to revitalize the seed industry. By leveraging their professional expertise and building on local industries and natural endowments, they can provide farmers with comprehensive scientific and technological services, thereby accelerating the modernization of agriculture and rural areas.

　　Without learning, one cannot broaden one’s talents; without aspiration, one cannot achieve academic success. In the new era, young people must deeply study, implement, and put into practice General Secretary Xi Jinping’s series of important instructions on youth work and the spirit of his reply letters, demonstrating their youthful vigor and dedication in their respective roles, thus living up to the trust placed in them by the Party and the people. The broad ranks of young people should harbor lofty aspirations, cultivate a deep sense of devotion to both family and country, and nurture a spirit of striving and progress. They should proactively integrate their personal ideals and dreams into the greater good of the nation and the people, hone solid skills, cherish their prime years, and make the most of their youth. They must strengthen their sense of urgency in learning, ensuring that their thinking, perspectives, and level of understanding keep pace with the rapid development of our times, serving the people with genuine talent and knowledge, and contributing to the country through innovation and creativity.

　　The new journey is a long expedition filled with glory and dreams. Young people in China today have great potential and much to accomplish. Let us keep the leader’s earnest instructions firmly in mind, uphold the vigorous spirit of the young—fearless in the face of challenges and ever more resolute as difficulties mount—maintain an inspiring posture of striving, proceed with steadfastness and courage, and contribute our youthful energy to the all‑round building of a modern socialist country.

[Editor-in-charge: Liu Yang]

Source: CCTV.com