Spirit of May Fourth Movement still relevant a full century later

In his speech at a meeting in Beijing on Tuesday to mark the centenary of the May Fourth Movement, President Xi Jinping said that patriotism is at the core of the movement's spirit. He said that Chinese people and the nation will be able to make ever greater endeavors to advance the country and the world as long as they continue to embrace such a spirit.

For Chinese youth today, the question is how this spirit should be carried on and applied. If the mission for youth in 1919 was to liberate the country from the grip of imperialists and warlords, the mission for them today is to make as great an effort as possible to contribute to the realization of the two centenary goals of realizing a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way and building China into a modern, strong and prosperous country.

Yes, the circumstances are quite different from what they were a century ago. But there is no less of a need for young people to have a strong sense of mission when it comes to what they can do for their motherland.

As Xi said, China's hope lies with its youth, so does the future of the nation; a generation of young people with lofty ideals and firm beliefs is the engine for the progress of a nation.

That explains why Xi encouraged young Chinese to integrate their ideals and their own careers with the overall development of the nation.

As far as every young person is concerned, it is easy to pay lip service to patriotism, to claim firm conviction to socialism with Chinese characteristics and to the great revival of the nation. But it is not as easy to put words into action for the development of the country.

With the rapid advancement of new technologies, new modes of production and new branches of industries, the division of labor is becoming increasingly minute, which provides young people with more opportunities. But at the same time, this creates a greater need for increasing one's knowledge and capabilities.

Whether for the development of their own personal careers or the contributions they are supposed to make to the progress of the nation, they've got no time to waste in keeping themselves updated with the most advanced knowledge and technology. They need to have a stronger sense of lifelong learning if they are to live up to what the country expects of them.

In terms of virtues and morals, young people need to be strict with themselves and set higher individual standards. Personal integrity is always the foundation of one's overall development.

It is noteworthy that Xi said a lot about how more care should be extended to young people, how their mistakes should be tolerated and how enough space needs to be given for their growth and development. Xi also stressed that sufficient attention needs to be paid to the difficulties young people meet in their lives and a helping hand should be extended in a timely manner; they need to be encouraged whenever they are saddled with frustration.

If anything, the sound growth of young people is imperative to the progress of this country and the world as well.