Photo: Xinhua/Ju Peng
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a New Year's message on the arrival of 2024 through the China Media Group and the Internet in Beijing on Sunday evening.
BEIJING, Dec 31 - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday called for efforts to make steady progress in China's modernization, ensuring a better life for the people and striving to make the world a better place for all in the coming year 2024. Delivering a New Year's message at his office in central Beijing, Xi summed up 2023 as a year when the country marches forward with firm and decisive steps, in good spirits and with great confidence.
"In 2023, we continued to move forward with determination and tenacity. We've been tested by winds and rains, we've seen some beautiful scenes unfold along the way, and we've achieved a lot of real success. We will remember this year as one of hard work and perseverance. We have full confidence for the future," he said in a speech that was broadcast live on national television.
Xi Jinping said that in the past year, some enterprises have had a difficult time, some people have had difficulty finding work and meeting basic needs, and some places have been hit by floods, typhoons, earthquakes or other natural disasters.
"When I see how people have picked themselves up, how they are meeting adversity head on, how they are facing challenges and overcoming difficulties, I am deeply moved," he said.
The President praised the extraordinary contributions of every ordinary Chinese person and highlighted people like those the country looks up to when struggling to overcome any difficulties or challenges.
"Our goal is both inspiring and simple. Ultimately, it's about providing a better life for people," he said.
CHINA IN 2023
Mentioning Xi Jinping first a smooth transition in the COVID-19 response efforts, stressed that China's economy has maintained its recovery momentum.
According to the President, steady progress has been made in the pursuit of high-quality development, the modernized industrial system continues to improve, a number of advanced, intelligent and green industries are emerging rapidly, abundant harvests have been secured for the 20th consecutive year, waters are becoming cleaner, mountains are greener, and new advances have been made in rural revitalization efforts.
He also noted that new progress has been made in the full revitalization of Northeast China, that the New Xiong'an Region is growing rapidly, that the economic belt around the Yangtze River is full of vitality, and that the Greater Guangdong-Macao Bay Area is seizing new development opportunities.
"After weathering the storm, China's economy is more resilient and dynamic than before," he said.
Xi Jinping highlighted the country's innovation-driven development, recalling that the C919 large passenger transport aircraft has entered commercial operation, a China-built large cruise ship has completed a test cruise, Shenzhou spacecraft are continuing their missions in space, and the deep-sea submarine manned by Fendouzhe has reached the deepest ocean trench.
People take photos of the C919 large passenger aircraft, China's first self-developed transport plane, before landing at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, May 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
He noted that products designed and manufactured in China, especially fashion brands, are very popular with consumers and the latest models of Chinese-made mobile phones are an instant success in the market, while new energy vehicles, lithium batteries and photovoltaic products are new proof of the country's manufacturing prowess.
Xi Jinping recalled the spectacular sports scenes and outstanding performances of Chinese athletes at the Chengdu World University Games and the Hangzhou Asian Games, the bustling tourist destinations during the holidays, the booming film market and the hugely popular "village super league" and "village spring festival" football matches.
"All these exciting activities have enriched and diversified our lives and mark the return of vibrant life across the country. They embody people's pursuit of a beautiful life and present a vibrant and thriving China to the world," he said.
The President said that China is a great country with a great civilization and mentioned its centuries-old history and beautiful civilization.
"The mighty Yellow River and the Yangtze River will never cease to inspire us. The discoveries at the archaeological sites of Liangzhou and Erlitou tell us much about the dawn of Chinese civilisation. Ancient Chinese characters inscribed on oracle bones at the Jin ruins, cultural treasures at the Sanxingdui site and the collections of the National Archive of Publication and Culture bear witness to the evolution of Chinese culture," he said.
Xi Jinping noted that China has fulfilled its responsibility as a major country in 2023, and said the country has held the China-Central Asia Summit and the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and hosted leaders from around the world at many diplomatic events.
"I have also visited many countries, attended international conferences and met many old and new friends. I shared the Chinese vision with them and strengthened our common understanding," he said. "No matter how the world situation evolves, the basic trend remains peace and development, which can only be brought about by cooperation for mutual benefit."
PROSPECTS FOR 2024
Next year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping said.
He called for the pursuit of steady progress in China's modernization, the full and faithful implementation of the new development philosophy on all fronts, the acceleration of the construction of a new development paradigm, the promotion of high-quality development, and the pursuit of both development and security.
In line with the principle of pursuing progress while maintaining stability, promoting stability through progress and introducing the new before abolishing the old, the country will work to consolidate and strengthen the momentum of economic recovery and achieve stable and long-term economic development, he said.
Xi Jinping stressed the need to deepen reform and opening-up in all fields, further strengthen people's confidence in development, promote the dynamic development of the economy, and redouble efforts to enhance education, develop science and technology and cultivate talents.
It is essential to continue to support Hong Kong and Macao in leveraging their specific strengths, better integrating into China's overall development and ensuring long-term prosperity and stability, he said.
"China will surely be united and all Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be united by a common sense of purpose and share in the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," he said.
Xi Jinping stressed that our ultimate goal is to give people a better life.
Children in China should be well cared for and receive a good education, young people should be able to pursue their careers and succeed, while the elderly should have adequate access to health services and elderly care, he said.
"These issues matter to every family and are also a top priority for the government. We must work together to deliver on these issues," he said.
He also said the country should promote a warm and harmonious atmosphere in society, expand an inclusive and dynamic environment for innovation, and create suitable and good living conditions so that people can live happy lives, give their best and achieve their dreams.
Xi Jinping pointed to the conflicts still raging in some parts of the world and said that the Chinese people are very aware of what peace means and will work closely with the international community for the common good of mankind, build a community with a common future for mankind and make the world a better place for all.
Xinhua/JaV
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