A New Journey for a New Era

by+Zhang+Xue

In the wake of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China （CPC）， China welcomes a tide of learning and implementing the guiding principles from the congress， as socialism with Chinese characteristics embarks on a new journey for a new era. When the 2，280 delegates returned from the congress to their jobs， they brought the essence of the congress to the public.

Remaining True to Original Aspiration

On the evening of October 27， 2017， the first Friday after the closing of the 19th CPC National Congress， the auditorium of Tsinghua University was crowded with over 700 teachers and students gathering to hear a lecture about the congress.

“China remains the second largest economy， but the principal contradiction facing Chinese society has evolved，”remarked Hu Angang， a professor at Tsinghua University. “China is moving closer to center stage.” After Chinas leap in development， especially the historic achievements since the 18th CPC National Congress， Hu used “golden era” to describe Chinas advance into a new era.

“You are at a prime age and study at a prestigious university in a golden era，”Hu told students at the lecture. “You need to ask yourself the question， ‘After two or three decades， what can I do for my country？” Such an idea aroused students sense of mission as well as reflection.

No One Left Behind

On November 9， 2017， Li Dawei， a delegate to the 19th CPC National Congress and general manager of Baling Branch of Sinopec Corp， arrived at Tianjing Village in Pingjiang County， Hunan Province. The hilltop village is home to over 2，000 villagers in 445 households， of whom 235 in 60 households are still stuck in poverty. After he checked houses for relocated villagers， the planting base for yellow peaches and local photovoltaic power generation projects， Li sat down to talk with villagers and local officials about the poverty eradication policy in the report of the 19th CPC National Congress.

“No one will be left behind as we build a moderately prosperous society in all aspects，” Li said to 75-year-old Wei Jingui. “Please be assured you are one of us. Ensuring that poor people and poor areas join the moderately prosperous society alongside the rest of the country is the goal of General Secretary Xi Jinping and a solemn promise of our Party. The 19th CPC National Congress resulted in many policies and measures for poverty alleviation.”endprint

The Baling Branch of Sinopec Corp is one company backing Tianjing Villages poverty reduction. It dispatched a special official to work in the village to help it grow industries and designated 27 other officials to target specific poor households in the village.

On November 3， representatives from over 30 renowned travel agencies around China gathered at Shibadong Village in Hunan Province for the inauguration of a poverty relief program based on tourism. Several local households have become the contract providers of tourist services for travelers to Shibadong Village. The same day four years ago， during an inspection tour in this small mountainous village， General Secretary Xi proposed the con-cept of “targeted poverty alleviation，”calling for a nationwide campaign for poverty eradication.

Thanks to outside support and its own efforts， Shibadong Village has developed many industries including tourism， planting， animal farming and ethnic embroidery. By the end of last year， local per capita annual income increased from 1，668 yuan four years ago to 8，313 yuan， and 136 poverty-stricken households had all emerged from poverty. Shibadongs story was even adapted into a film.

“Now we earn more money and enjoy a better environment，” native Long Xianlan grinned. “Many young people who were working away from the village came back.” With the help of the poverty relief team， Long began beekeeping in 2014， which earns him tens of thousands of yuan a year. He met his better half and got married early this year.

The period between now and 2020 will be decisive in Chinas completion of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. And whether the country can realize this goal will be determined by the improvement of the living standards of such villagers.

“Poor people escaping poverty is a foundation on which a moderately prosperous society in all respects can be built，” noted Ye Hongzhuan， a delegate to the 19th CPC National Congress and Party secretary of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in Hunan Province. “Shibadong Villages experience has inspired residents throughout the prefecture.” He admitted that one challenge after another would inevitably emerge during the process of reducing poverty， so the authorities need to commit more energy and efforts to help all of the 400，000 poor people in the prefecture escape poverty by 2020.

Technological Innovationendprint

The Microsatellite Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences is the birthplace of the dark matter probe satellite Wukong， the quantum science satellite Mozi， and a companion satellite of the Tiangong-2 space lab. The institutes office building is adorned with many red flags， each of which represents a successful launch.

“At this point we have launched 22 satellites，” said Chen Hongyu， Party chief of the institute. “We plan to launch 23 satellites in the next year. Xis report mentioned the need to work on Chinas strength in aerospace. As scientists， we are proud and inspired， and embrace the glorious mission to build a great modern socialist country.”

Haier Group in Qingdao， Shandong Province is building an industrial internet of things. “This new era demands not only new products and technologies but also innovative models and methods，”remarked Zhang Ruimin， a delegate to the 19th CPC National Congress and chairman of Haier Group. He noted Haier will endeavor to promote the sharing economy and develop customized products in the era of the internet of things.endprint