Wei, the World: China's new aspirations revealed

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This is a long day for journalists like me. Getting up at 4 a.m., just to make sure I’ll get a good glimpse at all things happening in the Great Hall of the People where the 19th CPC National Congress is taking place.

The 19th CPC National Congress convened on Wednesday in Beijing. It looked festive inside the Great Hall of the People – lights, cameras and red carpets.

Delegates are taking snapshots as keepsakes. They were selected from among 90 million CPC members all over the country.

Not only them, but also the media is ready.

This year, more than 3,000 journalists from more than 100 countries are covering the event. Some of them are already lining up along the red carpet for events like the Early Bird Red Carpet media conference. Delegates are going there to brief the media about their aspirations for the Congress. It may look festive. There is a lot to be done though!

The General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Xi Jinping, clearly spelled out the mission of the Congress: “The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is no walk in the park or mere drum-beating and gong-clanging. To achieve great dreams, there must be great struggle."

There is a clear urgency in his tone. That urgency is echoed throughout the report he delivered. The economy is facing downward pressure so he renewed the commitment to reforms, and the leadership of the CPC in all fields.

But listening to the report, one would be struck by other points he mentioned.

Two words were used most frequently in the report: challenges and confidence. Xi Jinping also recognizes, as China develops, people’s demands are growing – in democracy, rule of law, fairness, equality, security and safety, as well as the environment.

The uneven and insufficient development has been regarded as the biggest challenge facing China. Dealing with it has become the biggest task for the CPC leadership this generation.

Over the past five years, you see an emphasis on intra-Party discipline and social stability. You also notice that, internationally, it is trying to forge more partnerships through Belt and Road Initiatives, and the effort to seek a community with a shared future for mankind.

Piecing all of them together, China’s roadmap has become clearer: ticking all the boxes for the Chinese version of smooth inclusive development.

(Tian Wei is the anchor of CGTN’s World Insight)