Xi Jinping steers decade of reform toward Chinese modernization

Nation achieves historic, systemic and holistic transformations in many fields

Amid comprehensive reform over the past decade, President Xi Jinping has steered China toward a future of Chinese modernization with greater confidence, as the country's socialist system with Chinese characteristics is maturing along the way.

From witnessing theoretical development to addressing challenges unique to a large political party, and from advancing national institutional and governance system reforms to driving high-quality development, China has achieved historic, systemic and holistic transformations in many fields over the past 10 years.

David Ferguson, an editor of the English version of the book Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, said he was astonished to see how a remote mountain village in Northwest China's Gansu province could be transformed so dramatically.

"A decade ago, it took three days to reach Longnan city from there, but now it only takes an hour," he said, noting that all the villages are connected by paved roads, and bridges and tunnels span the mountains. Ferguson attributes China's remarkable progress to the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

In the deepened reform led by Xi, the emphasis has been on institutional improvements, with the task of advancing Chinese modernization deemed a top political priority by the Chinese leader.

"Promoting Chinese modernization is an exploratory undertaking. There are still many unknown areas. We need to boldly explore them in practice and promote our cause through reform and innovation," Xi said.