Editor's note: This 100-episode podcast explains how China works. Exploring Xi Jinping Thought and how the Chinese president's approach has shaped the governance of China, the podcast recounts the country's growth story to help you truly understand its success and challenges.

Our ancestors said, "A state system must be established when founding a country." A well-founded system is the biggest strength a country has, and competition in terms of systems is the most essential rivalry between countries. A country cannot remain stable without a sound system. The fundamental reason that the Chinese nation has stood up, become better off and grown in strength over the seven decades since the founding of the People's Republic in 1949 is that the CPC has led the people in establishing and improving the Chinese socialist system, in forming and developing systems for Party leadership, the economy politics, culture, society, eco-civilization, the military, and foreign affairs, and in enhancing state governance.

The state and governance systems that a country adopts are determined by its history and culture, the nature of its society, and the stage of economic development it has reached. The Chinese socialist system and state governance system did not fall out of the sky but emerged from Chinese soil through a long process of revolution, economic development, and reform. They are the results of a combination of the tenets of Marxism with China's conditions and the outcome of a range of innovations in theory, practice and system. They crystalize the wisdom of the Party and the people and are in alignment with its history, theory and practice.

(Source: Extract from the third volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China")

This episode is presented by Shen Ting.