Xi calls on Chinese to ‘roll up sleeves to work hard’ in Spring Festival greeting

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Two days before the Spring Festival, Chinese President Xi Jinping said at a reception in Beijing that China has made a good start to its 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) and called on all members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to make preparations for the 19th CPC National Congress later this year.

Xi, also General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission, extended Spring Festival greetings to all Chinese while delivering a speech to a gathering at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday, greeting all Chinese in the mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and abroad.

Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders arrive at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on January 26, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

"The Chinese people have great dreams, but also have a great spirit to work hard and endure hardship to realize such dreams," Xi said.

He called on the people to salute to those diligent, brave Chinese people as well as to heroes, model workers, veterans and all who contribute to the country's development.

The reception was presided over by Premier Li Keqiang. Other leaders including Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli were also present.

Chinese leaders attend a Spring Festival gathering at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on January 26, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Xi Jinping delivers a speech to extend Spring Festival greetings to all Chinese at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on January 26, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Addressing the event, Xi said China has made a good start to the country's 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) and taken various works to a new level in 2016.

Economic growth continued to rank among the top in the world. The first battles have been won in the final campaign against poverty. The lives of the people have continued to improve and major achievements have been made in reform and opening-up, he said.

China achieved breakthroughs in national defense and military reform, promoted rule of law, and advanced strict governance of the CPC, Xi added.

The country has made major contributions to world peace and development with its own development and progress, the president said.

In 2017, the CPC will convene its 19th National Congress, setting out a new blueprint for socialism with Chinese characteristics, Xi said.

The president called on all Party members, the military and people of all ethnic groups to unite closely around the CPC Central Committee and make new progresses to prepare for the 19th CPC National Congress.

Xi Jinping shakes hands with attendants of the reception at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on January 26, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Xi stressed that the Chinese nation highly values true affection and righteousness. He called for treating others with honesty and sincerity, and being open and above board in life.

Xi hoped that under the leadership of the CPC, all of the people in the country can roll up their sleeves to work hard for the goal of building a moderately prosperous society, achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and building a community of shared destiny for all humanity.

This year's Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year, falls on January 28.

(Source: Xinhua)

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