Xi calls on China's youth to strive for national rejuvenation

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Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday hailed the spirit of the May Fourth Movement, reviewed the experiences of the country's development and encouraged China's youth to strive for the realization of the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

He made the remarks while delivering a speech at a gathering to commemorate the centenary of the May Fourth Movement in Beijing.

The movement in 1919, launched by young intellectuals and participated in by people from all walks of life, was a great patriotic and revolutionary campaign that resolutely fought against imperialism and feudalism.

In 1949, the government of the newly-founded People's Republic of China declared May 4 to be National Youth Day to preserve and promote the spirit of patriotism and democracy of the May Fourth Movement.

The nature and significance of May Fourth Movement

Reiterating the May Fourth Movement as an epoch-making and significant event in contemporary Chinese history, President Xi said it was a great social revolutionary movement launched by the Chinese people to save the nation from subjugation, safeguard national dignity and pool national strength together.

He noted it was also a great enlightenment and new cultural movement for disseminating new thought, new culture and new knowledge.

Covers of the two magazines that played a key role in promoting science, democracy and new literature during the May Fourth Movement. /VCG Photo

President Xi also elaborated on the movement's role in spreading Marxism in China, which he said had prepared for the establishment of the Communist Party of China (CPC), representing a turning point in Chinese history.

The May Fourth Movement gave birth to the great spirit centered on patriotism, progress, democracy and science, with patriotism at the core, Xi stressed.

He also commended the 100 years since May 4, 1919, as a period when the Chinese youth, generation by generation, committed themselves to the great cause of national development under the leadership of the CPC.

'China's hope lies in youth'

During his speech, President Xi hailed the youth as the most proactive and energetic force in the whole society.

Saying youth is where the nation's hope and Chinese people's future lie, Xi raised a six-point suggestion for young Chinese of the new era.

Peking University organizes a running competition to commemorate the centenary of the May Fourth Movement in Beijing, China, April 29, 2019. /VCG Photo

He urged them to establish great ideals and incorporate their personal goals into the bigger picture of the Chinese nation and people, so as to better realize their value.

He urged Chinese youth to love their country ardently, citing Sun Yat-sen, a renowned statesman who led a revolution that ended imperial rule in China, as saying that the most important thing for a person is to "know how to love his country."

For Chinese youth of the new era, loving their country should be their basic principle and foundation for their success, added Xi.

He also called on them to bear responsibilities of the times. As long as the young people are brave enough to shoulder responsibilities and fight hardships and risks, the socialism with Chinese characteristics will be full of vitality, Xi noted.

Other points included carrying on the spirit of arduous struggle, honing abilities and upholding fine morality.

Rooting for the youth

The Chinese president emphasized the necessity to trust, care about and support the youth, saying it is a major strategic task to nurture the young generation into capable people well-prepared to join the socialist cause.

Three young men speak to potential employers at Dream Home, a place sponsored by the local government of Guiyang in southwest China's Guizhou Province that provides a seven-day free accommodation for college graduates who are seeking employment in the city, March. 6, 2019. /VCG Photo

"We should listen to young people's views on social issues and phenomena, as well as their opinions and advice on the work of the Party and the government," he said.

"Even if they express harsh or partial criticism, we should correct our mistakes when we have made any and guard against them when we have not," he said.

Xi called on the Party to address young people's concerns in employment, starting businesses, integrating into society, love, marriage and making friends, caring for the elderly and raising children, so as to create favorable conditions for their development.

"We should educate and guide young people to view the world properly, to understand the national conditions comprehensively, and to grasp the trend of the era," he said.

Xi: Supporting youth is shared responsibility of whole society

The Chinese president also listed famous names in Chinese and world history that made great accomplishments or contributions while they were young, calling for more appreciation for young people's innovation and achievement.

Photos show the life of Lei Feng – a Chinese soldier who is famous for his devotion to the service of the people, in Changsha, Hunan Province, China, Oct. 3, 2018. /VCG Photo

In concluding his speech, President Xi noted that youth is the future of both the country and the world. According to him, the Chinese Dream is very closely connected to the dream of the world, and the Chinese people should contribute more to human society.

Xi encouraged the Chinese youth of the new era to be devoted to their nation and humanity alike, to not only strive for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and push forward the joint building of the Belt and Road, but also work for the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

(With input from Xinhua)

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