Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that young Chinese people should contribute to realizing national rejuvenation in the new era.

"The future belongs to the young people, and our hopes also rest with them," Xi said, adding that young people should be inspired by the young progressives who searched for ways to rejuvenate the nation in its dark days.

"In the new era, our young people should make it their mission to contribute to national rejuvenation and aspire to become more proud, confident, and assured in their identity as Chinese people so that they can live up to the promise of their youth and their expectation of our times, our Party, and our people," the president said.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a speech marking the centenary of the CPC in Beijing.