Highlights of President Xi's 2018 New Year Address

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Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday delivered a New Year Address in Beijing.

In the speech, President Xi extended his New Year greetings to Chinese people of all ethnic groups, to compatriots in the Hong Kong SAR, the Macao SAR and Taiwan, to overseas Chinese, as well as to people in other countries and regions around the world.

Following are some highlights:

Xi reviews 2017

President Xi hailed China’s achievements in 2017 in his New Year Address, saying that China has embarked on a journey to fully build a modern socialist country.

As various initiatives to improve people's livelihoods have been accelerated and the environment has steadily improved, Chinese people have enjoyed a stronger sense of gain, of happiness and of security, Xi said, adding that China has marched one significant step closer to completing the process of building a moderately well-off society in all aspects.

He highlighted that there has been a steady flow of technological innovation and major engineering feats in 2017, applauding the creative powers of the Chinese people.

Xi said that the year of 2017 marked the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army, the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, and the 80th anniversary of the beginning of nationwide war against Japanese aggression. China also held a state memorial ceremony for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre, Xi said.

China hosted a series of international summits and activities in 2017, including the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, the ninth BRICS summit in Xiamen and the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting in Beijing, Xi reviewed.

He said he also attended some major multilateral meetings overseas and had many in-depth exchanges of views with relevant parties, adding that they all supported the joint promotion of building a community of shared future for mankind to benefit people all over the world.

Down-to-earth efforts

President Xi noted that the year of 2018 will be the first full year for implementing the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress.

“A tall tower needs a solid foundation. To translate the blueprint into reality, we have to avoid the distractions of unsubstantial ideas and superficial fame, take one step at a time, and approach our work with a firm footing,” Xi said.

Carry reform to ultimate triumph

Xi reiterated the country’s commitment to reform, saying it is the only path to the realization of the Chinese Dream.

As the year of 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening up, Xi said that the country should surmount all obstacles and “carry the reform further to its ultimate triumph.”

To win the battle against poverty by 2020

President Xi called for efforts to win the final phase of the war on poverty by 2020, saying it is a great mission for the Chinese nation and all humanity.

“This will be the first time in thousands of years of Chinese history that extreme poverty has been eliminated,” Xi said.

China as a responsible major country

China will act as a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and an upholder of the international order, Xi stressed in his speech.

He said that China staunchly safeguards the authority and status of the United Nations and actively fulfills its due responsibility and duty in international affairs; China will honor its promises in countering global climate change and actively push forward the common construction of the "Belt and Road.”

“All under heaven are one family,” Xi said.

Efforts to benefit people

Noting people’s concerns with education, employment, income, social security, healthcare, old-age security, housing and the environment, Xi said the efforts at improving people’s well-being have not always been satisfactory, calling for an enhanced sense of mission and responsibility.

“The Party committees, governments, and officials at all levels must constantly hold in their hearts the interests and concerns of the people, and regard the benefit of the people as their highest career accomplishment; they must think for the people, respond to their needs and work for the greater happiness of the people,” Xi said.