Interpretation by Peking University Students of the 19th CPC National Congress

By Liana

It has been over a month since the closing of the 19th National Congress of the CPC on October 24. During this month, much of Chinese society has engaged with studying the spirit of the 19th Congress, especially young people and students. By studying the spirit of the 19th Congress, they have gained a better understanding of the historic missions and responsibilities they must shoulder as the pillars of the country.

The promotion group of the CPC Central Committee went to one of China’s elite universities – Peking University (PKU) – on November 23 to promote and discuss the spirit of the 19th National Congress with PKU students. Wang Yiming, the deputy director of the Development Research Center of the State Council, held an in-depth seminar to exchange ideas with PKU students combining the spirit with his own experiences and the changes that have taken place since the 18th CPC  National Congress.

The Essence of the Spirit – Remain True to Our Original Aspiration and Keep our Mission Firmly in Mind

In Wang Yiming’s understanding, the above theme captures the essence of a report that ran to more than 30,000 characters.

On October 31, General Secretary Xi Jinping led the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau on a visit to the sites of the first National Congress of CPC in Shanghai and the Red Boat on the South Lake in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province,where the Communist Party of China was born – the source of the spirit of its members which has been passed down for generations. In spite of the changing times, the original aspiration and mission of the CPC to work for the well-being of the Chinese people has remained unchanged.

The CPC has given its people a satisfactory answer sheet despite the fact that China is now facing unprecedented challenges in an international environment that is undergoing major changes.

According to Wang Yiming, the fundamental reason why China has been able to achieve historic progress in reform over the past five years lies in the robust leadership of the Central Committee of the CPC with Xi Jinping as its core. At the press conference after the 19th National Congress, a journalist from South Korea asked the spokesman why Xi had described the five years after the 18th National Congress as “truly remarkable” instead of “remarkable”– the phrase that had been used previously. The answer from the spokesman was quite simple – because “remarkable”could not fully cover the achievements made in those five years.

In this five-year period, Chinese society has experienced groundbreaking changes each day. Wang listed several striking points: China’s economic development has entered a new phase; more than 60 million people have been lifted out of poverty; per capita income growth has exceeded GDP growth; the traffic mileage on China’s high-speed railways and expressways are the highest in the world; the number of Internet users has reached 730 million, which is close to the total population of Europe; technological innovations have included the supercomputer, quantum communication, China’s passenger jet, and the Beidou Navigation Satellite System; the number of people in higher education has reached nearly 73 million; China’s international influence is expanding and it is gradually approaching the center of the global stage.

These data show that the CPC’s unwavering commitment to Socialism with Chinese Characteristics is well-suited to China, and prove that the chosen path is leading China to a better future. A classic quote from the Italian poet Alighieri Dante –“follow your own course, and let people say what they will” – is an apt footnote for the CPC.

The whole international community cast doubts on the viability of communism when the Soviet Union collapsed. However, China has found a path to development that is not only different from the western models, but also provides a brand new option for countries and nations which are looking for rapid development and wish to maintain their independence at the same time. The model also offers China’s wisdom and plans for tackling the common problems of mankind.

Voices of PKU Students from Different Majors

The spirit of the 19th National Congress is more than a paper exercise. The achievements and information provided by Wang Yiming made the rich content and the power of the spirit apparent in the report of the 19th National Congress more tangible to the attendees.

Li Pei, a doctoral student of School of Electronics Engineering and Computer Science, said after the seminar that he was proud to be Chinese. China’s upward rise has never been so clear and you can truly see China growing stronger.

Zhang Yan, a postgraduate of the School of Earth and Space Sciences, thought that after a careful study of the report, he had a better understanding of and clearer target for his life plan. In particular, Xi’s support for researchers in science and technology has reinforced their faith and determination to pursue practical innovations.

Wang Lin, a doctoral student of Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, highlighted several keywords in the report – science, education and innovation, for example – three words that were mentioned many times, especially when talking about health and medical care. As a student of medical science, he thinks that the ultimate goal of innovation is to better serve the people. The core spirit of the 19th Congress is the mission of working for the well being of Chinese people, and he was greatly inspired by it.

Zhou Huiying, an undergraduate of the School of Foreign Languages from the class of 2014, was most impressed by the role of new Chinese diplomacy. As China moves closer to the center of the world arena, she said, we feel very deeply that the mission of experts in foreign languages is accurate delivery, in order to have the Chinese voice heard more clearly by the international community. We should do our part to enhance China’s cultural confidence and let the outside world know more about the changes taking place in China and the country’s colorful future.

The Nation will Prosper only when its Young People Thrive

On his visit to Lomonosov Moscow State University in 1957, Chairman Mao told the overseas Chinese students that the world belongs to you and us, but eventually it will be yours. Young people are vibrant, rising like the sun in the morning. Our hopes lie with you all. These words are still very much in tune with the times. In the new era, at this crucial time of securing a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, the CPC is the torchbearer and the youth are the spine of China.

In the report, Xi specially mentioned that “a nation will prosper only when its young people thrive; a country will be full of hope and have a great tomorrow only when its younger generation have ideals, ability, and a strong sense of responsibility. The Chinese Dream is a dream about history, the present, and the future. It is a dream of our generation, but even more so, a dream of the younger generations. The Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation will be realized ultimately through the endeavors of young people, generation by generation.”

One student exclaimed after the seminar that it is a great happiness that he was born in a great time, and even more so that he belongs to a vibrant and vigorous nation. He was voicing the very thoughts in the hearts of numerous young people and students in China.