Letters from President Xi to the Chinese people

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‍In the annual New Year Address, President Xi Jinping praised the hard work of the ordinary Chinese people in the past year and urged them to make more contributions towards reaching the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Xi said people from different fields and positions have sacrificed for the good of the nation without regrets or complaints.

The president highlighted four letters he received from ordinary people in the past year, ranging from soldiers to professors, from herders to college students, and praised their contributions to the country.

He said he was pleased to hear from them and wrote them back. And he called on the Chinese people to learn from them and strive for a bright future.

Here are the stories behind the letters.

1. A letter from college students joining the army

Eight college students enrolled at one of China's top universities, Nankai University, which is located in Tianjin, wrote to the president before heading to military camp.

They said they are committed to military service and vowed to contribute to the country's goal of building a strong army.

The eight students from Nankai University wrote to President Xi Jinping before joining the army. /Xinhua Photo

These youngsters are the offsprings of veterans who fought the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53) and of anti-terrorism heroes from Xinjiang.

The letter came after the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in August. Xi, also the general secretary of the CPC's central committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), told military officials and officers that China's armed forces are in the midst of a modernization and that building world-class military might is central to the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and part of the Chinese Dream.

Xi wrote these young soldiers back on Sept. 23. He said he is gratified by their aspirations and passion as they temporarily leave their campus to join the army. "You have set a great example to young Chinese," he said.

He also called on young people to learn from them and to make efforts towards the goal of building a strong army.

2. A letter from Tibetan herders

Two Tibetan sisters, living on China's border with India, wrote a letter to President Xi while the country was holding the grand CPC congress in October.

Zhoigar and Yangzom told Xi about changes in Yumai, the least populist town of the country, which sits at the southern foot of the Himalayas.

Zhoigar and Yangzom, the Tibetan sisters, wrote to President Xi Jinping about the changes in Yumai in October. /Xinhua Photo

From 1979 to 1996, the sisters and their father were both the only inhabitants of and also the guardians for the 1,976-square-kilometer town, which has since expanded to having 32 residents.

In the letter, the Tibetan women told Xi about their experiences in safeguarding the border area and the development of their township over the years.

Xi wrote them back on Oct. 28. He thanked the family for their efforts in safeguarding the territory and their loyalty to the country.

Xi said, "Without the peace in the territory, there will be no peaceful lives for millions of families."

He said he hopes the family could take inspiration from the Tibetan galsang wild flower and encourage more herders to safeguard the homeland.

3. A letter from a group of performers in Inner Mongolia

In July, as a troupe of performers from Inner Mongolia was marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the so-called Ulan Muqir, they wrote to President Xi about the changes in the region’s art.

Ulan Muqir is the Mongolian name for a traveling troupe that goes from one grazing site to another, performing for the herdsmen in some of the country's most remote areas.

A troupe of Ulan Muqir performed for local herdsman in Inner Mongolia. /Xinhua Photo

Since it was formed in 1957, generations of performers have played for the herdsmen, establishing roots in the prairie.

They told the president that the Ulan Muqir has now grown to 75 teams, with over 7,000 performances every year.

In the letter that he wrote back on Nov. 21, Xi said he was pleased to see the changes and their passions for their artwork, calling on them to promote literary and artistic innovation and to continue producing excellent art.

"I hope you can carry forward the fine tradition of Ulan Muqir, put down roots, and serve the herdsmen," he said.

4. A letter from 15 professors

One month after the 19th CPC National Congress, 15 veteran professors from Xi'an Jiaotong University wrote to Xi, highlighting the importance of patriotic education in a bid to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The veterans, in their 80s, said they carefully read the report delivered by President Xi at the opening session of the congress, and they are very proud of the accomplishments that the country has achieved over the past five years.

Professors from Xi'an Jiaotong University wrote to President Xi Jinping in November. /Xinhua Photo

They wrote that several generations of academia from Xi'an Jiaotong University have followed the call of our Party, and that they are always in line with the Party's needs.

In 1965, these professors, originally from Jiaotong University in Shanghai, moved to Xi'an, the capital city of Shaanxi Province, as part of the Party's call on reviving the economy in the country's remote northwest region.

They have since stayed and taught in Xi'an.

In the letter, they said it is important to do patriotic education and to tell youngsters to strive for a bright future. We should encourage more scholars and scientists to serve the most remote areas and to help achieve the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Xi wrote them back on Dec. 16. He hailed the sacrifices the veterans made 61 years ago.

Xi said he hopes lecturers, staff members and students could learn from them and make contributions to the growth of the less developed western region.

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