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.

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the CPC Central Committee has rallied and led the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups in a comprehensive review of the new situation at home and abroad. 

By reviewing what has happened and looking into the future, the CPC Central Committee has profoundly answered the major question of our time: What kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics should we uphold and develop in the new era, and how should we do so. It has formed the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. We have put forward a series of new ideas, thinking and strategies for the work of the Party and the country in all areas, thus bringing historic changes and achievements to the cause of the Party and the country. 

The socialism with Chinese characteristics has crossed the threshold into a new era. With great political courage and wisdom, we put forward that the overarching objective of comprehensively deepening the reform is to better and develop the socialist system with Chinese characteristics and boost the modernization of the nation's governance system and governance capability. 

We will make the reform more systematic, holistic, and coordinated, make major institutional innovations, and raise the people's sense of fulfilment, happiness, and security. We introduced more than 1,600 reform plans, tackled many tough issues, and many dangerous situations. The reforms showed all-round strength, multi-point breakthroughs, moving forward steadily, rapidly and in depth.

(Source: Extract from Xi Jinping's speech at a grand gathering to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the country's reform and opening-up, December 18, 2018.)

This episode is presented by Zhong Shi.