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 to see how the country can fulfill the goals and tasks on the new journey of the new era.

Our Party has won the people's wholehearted support because it has always stayed true to its original aspiration and founding mission, and faithfully observed its fundamental purpose of wholeheartedly serving the people. This is also why our Party was able to grow in strength from a small and fragile organization, rise time and again after setbacks, and fight its way through dangers. The people are the root of our vitality, the foundation of our governance, and the source of our strength.

I have reiterated on many occasions that the country is its people, and the people are the country. As we have fought to establish and consolidate our Party's leadership over the country, we have in fact been fighting to earn and keep the people's support. My purpose is to warn all Party members that having served in office as long as we have, no danger is greater than forgetting our founding mission or distancing ourselves from the people. As long as we stay together with and work for the people, they will steadfastly follow the Party's leadership and the Party will be able to flourish. All members should further the understanding of our original aspiration in the context of the Party's history, follow the people-centered development philosophy and never waver in our drive towards national rejuvenation.

(Source: From Xi Jinping's speech at the 31st group study session of the Political Bureau of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, June 25, 2021.)

This episode is presented by Ning Yan.