Xi Focus: Getting off to a good start

Toward second centenary goal

The year 2021 marks the critical juncture where the time frames of China's two centenary goals converge -- building a moderately prosperous society in all respects by the time the CPC celebrates its centenary and building a great modern socialist country in all respects by the time the People's Republic of China celebrates its centenary, which is expected in 2049.

"Over the past century, the CPC has made extraordinary historical achievements on behalf of the people. Today, it is rallying and leading the Chinese people on a new journey toward realizing the second centenary goal," Xi said at the CPC's centenary celebration on July 1.

However, the new journey is by no means a smooth one.

In 2021 alone, China faced severe challenges on both domestic and international fronts. Floods hit central Henan province causing heavy casualties. Multiple places suffered from COVID-19 resurgence. China battled headwinds in China-US relations and guarded against foreign interventions in its Xinjiang and Hong Kong affairs.

Still, under Xi's leadership and with a striving spirit, the Chinese people are confident in prevailing over all difficulties on the way forward.

In April, visiting a memorial park dedicated to the Battle of the Xiangjiang River during the Long March in the 1930s, Xi recalled the great spirit of the indomitable Red Army.

"We should bear in mind such faith while striving to achieve the second centenary goal and realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation," Xi said.