The Big Picture: One man's vision – How Xi Jinping's thinking has influenced the world

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A man's dreams are not built overnight, and neither is his character.

There's also a Chinese saying that harmony starts from the core of a family to the community, and it will then translate to the nation as a whole.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's goals have been ingrained in him since his early days in Fujian province, where he spent 17 years (1985-2002) serving as deputy mayor, then governor.

This period has shaped and sharpened his tact as a political figure, from his thoughts on governance to fighting poverty, and opening up to the world. He has turned those ideas into actions, dreams into realities.

As with politics and the corporate world, to climb up the ladder is one thing; but to make an impact while you're at it, and to follow through with your goals is another thing altogether. President Xi's footsteps have influenced and changed lives around him for the better.

CGTN Photo

Visionary and executor

President Xi is a man of far-sighted vision. Among two things he had in mind to develop China further were: Infrastructure and Airlines.

Delving back into the 1990s, Liu Minghua, Deputy Party Secretary at Xiadang Village said President Xi's visit to the poor village paved the way for it to be developed. Back then, choppers needed to be used to clear the way to enter the village.

"Xi says to get rich you need to build a road first. A road will liberate farmers’ shoulders and backs. He also said we have hydropower resources and should build a hydropower station," Liu shares.

"He helped us build a road and a power station. He says this is like raising a chicken to lay eggs," Liu adds.

A vision remains only a vision if it is not executed. More importantly, it also has to be executed well.

The power station was built in 1989, and the highway opened to traffic two years later.

President Xi also had an affinity for airlines, believing it could further expand China’s presence and connectivity to the world.

During President Xi's reign in Fujian (when he was Governor), Xiamen Airlines saw an explosive growth, according to Song Chengren, FMR. Deputy General Manager of Xiamen Airlines, who has over 40 years of flying experience.

Song Chengren, FMR. Deputy General Manager of Xiamen Airlines /CGTN Photo

"Wherever there's an airport and airline, there will be prosperity. General Secretary Xi Jinping was very clear about it," said Song.

President Xi attributes the airline's growth to its reforms, input, service and people-oriented approach, all characteristics which he embodies.

Today, China's airlines dominate the world, where airlines around the world are eyeing a piece of the Chinese market.

The International Air Transport Association said early this year, that by 2024, China will overtake the United States as the world's biggest passenger market, and in 2035, China will be a market of 1.3 billion passengers.

And of course, the spillover to the tourism industry has also contributed to China’s economy as well.

Compassion

Beyond all the "big" dreams and reforms, President Xi is a people person.

Xiamen Airline's Song said whenever President Xi took a flight, he would always talk with the pilots and crew.

"For example, he would ask 'How long have you been flying?' 'How many hours do you fly every day?'" Song said. Xi would also encourage the crew to work hard, saying that Xiamen Airlines is a good airline.

CGTN Photo

His compassion and encouragement translated into the airline's productivity and success. From only having just a few flight routes when it started flying passengers 30 years ago, it now operates more than 200 routes spanning across domestic, regional, and international.

The company also took chances in its development of its people. It was the first to train college students to become pilots in China.

Big dreams aside, President Xi is also known as a man who gives.

Xiadang Village's Liu said, "I was very ill at the time Xi came to my home. He gave me 100 yuan. Back then, a whole day's work earned a few cents. This is what I’ll never forget about him."

Mindful of the environment

In the pursuit of growth, which will naturally see urbanization seeping in various parts of the country, President Xi remains cognizant of protecting the environment.

"During Xi Jinping's tenure as governor, Fujian was among the first provinces in China to adopt special policies to restore the ecological balance. In 2002, Fujian led the way in reforming the collective forest property rights system," said Lai Musheng, a farmer in Changting, Fujian.

Lai started his business of planting trees in 1994. When President Xi visited Changting county of Longyan in 1999, Lai said the president took interest in what he had to say, in that planting trees could help in curbing soil erosion, and in fact encouraged him to expand the business.

"He hoped I could lead many farmers to get rich," Lai added.

And for this, Lai would like to thank the president for his encouragement that changed his life.

President Xi once said, "Lucid water and lush mountains are invaluable assets."

After all, to what measure of success does a country make, if it does not also take care of nature and the environment well, that which will spill over to its people's well-beings.