Xi vows to press ahead with 'Chinese dream'

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Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks at the closing meeting of the first session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 17, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to rely on the people and bring benefit to the people in achieving the "Chinese dream".

"The Chinese dream, after all, is the dream of the people. We must realize it by closely depending on the people. We must incessantly bring benefits to the people," Xi said in a keynote speech delivered at the country's top legislature on Sunday.

He said 1.3 billion Chinese people should bear in mind the mission, unite as one, and gather into invincible force with the wisdom and power.

He vowed to always listen to the voice of the people and respond to the expectations of the people.

"In face of the mighty trend of the times and earnest expectations of the people for a better life, we cannot have the slightest complacency, or get the slightest slack at work," Xi said at the closing meeting of the first session of the 12th National People's Congress.

"We must make persistent efforts, press ahead with indomitable will, continue to push forward the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and strive to achieve the Chinese dream of great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," Xi said.

To realize the "Chinese dream," China must take the Chinese way, said Xi, who was elected the state president on Thursday at the NPC annual session, replacing Hu Jintao.

People of all nationalities must gain confidence in the theory, the road and the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and forge valiantly and unswervingly ahead along the right road, Xi said.

"To realize the Chinese road, we must spread the Chinese spirit, which combines the spirit of the nation with patriotism as the core and the spirit of the time with reform and innovation as the core," Xi said.

"We must follow the strategic thinking that development is of overriding importance," said Xi. "We must constantly tamp the material and cultural foundations for the realization of the Chinese dream."