According to an official data, October 1, the first day of the Chinese National Day holiday also known as Golden Week, registered 122 million domestic trips by holidaymakers. Generating a whopping 13 billion yuan (14.9 billion US dollars) in tourism revenue, 7 percent up from last year.

This substantial increase poses a big question mark on the concerns raised by bearish commentators claiming that China is going through a "consumption downgrade."

Admittedly, the uncertainties in today's world have made it more difficult for China's economy to run as smoothly as it did before. China's government doesn't deny that these difficulties exist, but has stressed that the country's development is continuing to advance in spite of these challenges. 

But the impressive tourism figures from day one of the National Day holiday highlight the confidence of the Chinese people in their own future and their great nation. 

It's true that in the recent years China has faced severe challenges, with many Western experts even loudly predicting China's fall. Interestingly, while they pay a lot of attention to the external facts they lose sight of the tremendous creativity of the Chinese people, their fortitude and their spirit of unity and their willingness to realize big dreams.  

China's leadership believes that a person with ideals lends strength to a country. China is home to one of the world's four ancient civilizations, and its people's creativity, unity, and willingness to work is as evident now as it has always been. 

These ideals will help China to overcome its difficulties, meet the challenges it faces, and create a better future. These ideals are manifested in the contribution of people from astronauts and telescope builders to everyday people who toil in factories, schools, hospitals, and on courier bikes, as they strive to build a better life for themselves and for their fellow countrymen.

The Chinese people are now living in a time of relative peace, but China has suffered deeply at the hands of both internal and external factors. But hard times have always made the nation stronger. Over one hundred years ago, China suffered due to colonial aggression. Now, it has to weather the challenges of the growing trend towards unilateralism in international relations. But China's development won't be stymied by threats about containment. In recent years, the country has revived the spirit of the ancient Silk Road and built new links that brings together countries around the globe through the Belt and Road Initiative.

Some in the Western world fail to understand China  believing that Chinese people lack faith and ideals. But this is far from the truth. Chinese people believe that harmony is better than conflict, that harmonious relations are advantageous, and the principle of "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." By abiding by these principles, the Chinese people are continuing to build their national strength. And they are working to ensure that China always plays an important role in maintaining peace and stability and promoting development in a world full of uncertainties.