Words of Xi bring fortitude to people

President Xi Jinping's speech at a high-level workshop has inspired confidence for the nation to create a moderately prosperous society and achieve the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.

The workshop for provincial-and ministerial-level officials on Wednesday and Thursday was held in preparation for the 19th Communist Party of China National Congress later this year. The congress will elect the leadership for the next five-year term.

Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, outlined a blueprint for the Party and the state, showing the direction for development.

"Building a moderately prosperous society by 2020 is a promise the CPC has made to the people and to history," Xi said.

The speech resonated with grassroots officials, who agreed with Xi that the five years since the 18th CPC National Congress have seen extraordinary development.

Yang Longwen, Party chief of Dahua Yao autonomous county in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, said that though the county suffered desertification, it had seen remarkable changes due to the government drive to eliminate rural poverty. Highways have been built and residents moved from old thatched and mud-brick cottages into new buildings, Yang said.

"We'll implement General Secretary Xi's requirements and decisions by the CPC Central Committee with solid determination and untiring energy," Yang said.

Progress has also been seen in a small village in Heilongjiang province.

"The per capita income doubled in the past five years and villagers feel much happier," said Fu Huating, Party chief of Xingshisi, a village in Gannan county. "We will roll up our sleeves and work harder, staunchly following the Party."

Xi said that once China had a moderately prosperous society, by 2020, the Party and people across the country would be motivated to build a modernized socialist country by 2049, the centenary of the People's Republic of China.

The remarks have inspired the nation to be confident in realizing the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.

"After studying the speech, we're all fully confident that a good life lies ahead," said Chen Yifan, deputy head of Dutang, a town in Heze, in Shandong province.

Xinhua