New era will see China closer to centre of world: Xi Jinping

BEIJING: Unveiling his vision of a Sino-centric world order at the twice-in-a-decade leadership shuffle, Chinese President Xi Jinping has promised to build China into “a great modern socialist country” by the middle of this century and exhorted the Chinese people to fructify the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation. “This is an era that will see China move closer to the centre of the world and make more contributions to humankind,” he said at the inaugural session of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on October 18. The 19^th National Congress of the CPC is poised to be the biggest political shake-up in China’s recent history, and looks set to elevate and consolidate Xi’s status as one of the most powerful leaders of China. Chinese Dream Holding the tenets of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era aloft, Mr Xi reiterated the need to “work tirelessly to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation” even as he cautioned against “mechanically copying the political systems of other countries.” Addressing over 2000 delegates in the majestic Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Mr Xi said: “We will unite the Chinese people of all ethnic groups and lead them to a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and in the drive to secure the success of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era.” In a speech that lasted almost three-and-a-half hours, Mr. Jinping enumerated the achievements of his tenure since he came to power in 2012 and the “historic shifts” made in the country; whether it be the rise in GDP from 54 trillion to 80 trillion yuan ($ 12.1 trillion) in the last five years or lifting more than 60 million people out of poverty. Besides charting out the course for deepening the economic reforms for developing a sustainable growth model, fighting corruption and strengthening the military, the president also expressed resolve “to defeat separatist attempts for Taiwan independence.” The week-long Congress will end with the designation of new members in China’s topmost power decision-making body, the Politburo Standing Committee. The inaugural session was also attended by former Chinese presidents, Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin. “Achieving national rejuvenation will be no walk in the park,” Mr Xi said, while exhorting his Party leaders to “work tirelessly to realise the dream of national rejuvenation.”