THE PEOPLE’S ASPIRATION FOR A BETTER LIFE IS OUR GOAL

THE PEOPLE’S ASPIRATION FOR A BETTER LIFE IS OUR GOAL*

November 15, 2012

We have just held the First Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee and elected a new central leadership. I was elected general secretary of the Central Committee. On behalf of the members of the newly elected leadership, I wish to express our thanks to all other members of the Party for their trust in us. We will do our utmost to live up to the trust of the people and fulfill our mission.

We are deeply encouraged by both the trust from the Party members and the great expectations from the people of all ethnic groups in China, and we are keenly aware that this is also our important responsibility.

We are taking on this important responsibility for the nation. Ours is a great nation. Throughout 5,000 years of development, the Chinese nation has made a significant contribution to the progress of human civilization. After the Opium War of 1840, our nation went through untold tribulations and faced its greatest perils. Countless people with lofty ideals rose up for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, but each time they failed. After it was founded in 1921 the CPC rallied and led the Chinese people in making great sacrifices, forging ahead against all odds, and transforming poor and backward China into an increasingly prosperous and strong nation, thus opening completely new horizons for national rejuvenation.

Our responsibility is to rally and lead the entire Party and the people of all China’s ethnic groups in taking on this task and continuing to pursue the goal of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, so that China can stand firmer and stronger among the world’s nations and make a new and greater contribution to humanity.

We are taking on this important responsibility for the people. Our people are a great people. During the long history the Chinese people have worked with diligence, bravery and wisdom, creating a beautiful homeland where all ethnic groups live in harmony and developing a great and dynamic culture. Our people have an ardent love for life. They want to have better education, more stable jobs, more income, reliable social security, better medical and health care, improved housing conditions, and a beautiful environment. They hope that their children will have sound growth, good jobs, and more enjoyable lives. The people’s aspiration for a better life is our goal. A better life comes from hard work. Our responsibility is to bring together and lead the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups to free their minds, carry on with reform and opening up, further unfetter and develop the productive forces, solve the people’s problems in work and life, and pursue common prosperity.

We are taking on this important responsibility for the Party. Dedicated to serving the people, our Party has led them in making remarkable achievements, which we have every reason to be proud of. Nevertheless, we should never be complacent and rest on our laurels. Under new circumstances our Party faces many severe challenges as well as many pressing issues within the Party that need to be addressed, particularly corruption, disengagement from the people, form over substance, and bureaucratism on the part of some Party officials. We must make every effort to solve such problems. The whole Party must stay on full alert. “It takes a good blacksmith to forge good tools.” Our responsibility is to work with all Party members to uphold the principle that the Party should supervise its own conduct and govern itself with strict discipline, effectively solve major problems within the Party, improve its working practices, and maintain close ties with the people. By so doing, our Party will always serve as the strong leadership core in advancing socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The people are the creators of history. They are the real heroes and the source of our strength. We are fully aware that the capability of any individual is limited, but as long as we unite as one like a fortress, there is no difficulty we cannot overcome. One can only work for a limited period of time, but there is no limit to serving the people with dedication. Our responsibility is weightier than mountains, our task arduous, and the road ahead long. We must always stand with the people in all circumstances, work with them wholeheartedly for the public good, live up to their expectations, and fulfill our historic mission.

* Main part of the speech at the press conference by members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the 18th CPC Central Committee.

(Not to be republished for any commercial or other purposes.)