Editor's note: The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China concluded with a blueprint mapped out for China's future development in the next five years and beyond. CGTN is publishing "How China Works – Charting the Future", a special series delving deep into a key report adopted at the congress and to see how the country can fulfill the goals and tasks on the new journey of the new era.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) has its foundations in the people and maintains a close bond with the people. The people-centered philosophy of development embodies our Party's ideals and convictions, its nature and purpose, and its aspiration and founding mission. It is also the result of an in-depth reflection on the Party's development and practical experience. The fundamental goal for the Party since its founding, in uniting the people and leading them in revolution, construction and reform, is to give them a better life. The Party has never wavered in pursuing this goal no matter what challenges and pressure it faces, no matter the sacrifice and the cost. The people-centered philosophy of development is not an empty slogan, but a principle that underpins all our decisions and plans, and every aspect of our work.

Always put the people first. As an ancient Chinese said, "A sovereign who shares the interests of the people will have their support; a sovereign who denies the interests of the people will provoke their opposition." The Constitution of the CPC states clearly that the Party has no special interests of its own and it shall, at all times, give top priority to the interests of the people. This salient feature distinguishes our Party, a Marxist party, from many others.

Confronted by the rapid spread of COVID-19, from the very beginning we have stated clearly that people's lives and health should be our top priority. We have mobilized the best doctors, the most advanced equipment and the most urgently needed resources across the country, and committed ourselves fully to the treatment of the sick. All the costs of the treatment are borne by the state. We act on our belief that the people come first, and life matters most. We are willing to protect people's lives and health at any cost.

Constantly work for the benefit of the people. The purpose of economic and social development is, in the final analysis, to fulfill the people's desire for a better life. We must ensure that the people live and work in peace and contentment, and we must work hard to address practical issues of public concern, including employment, education, social security, medical care, housing, pension, food safety, and public order. We must make concrete efforts year after year to deliver tangible results and real benefits to the people.

(Source: Extract from Xi Jinping's speech at the deliberation session of the Inner Mongolia delegation to the Third Session of the 13th National People's Congress, May 22, 2020.)

This episode is presented by Shen Ting.