A Better Life for All Our People* 

November 30, 2017 

China's development path is the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It is a choice of the times and of the people. After the founding of the PRC in 1949, and especially since reform and opening up started about 40 years ago, China has witnessed unprecedented changes. China is now the world's second largest economy, and the standard of living of our 1.3 billion people continues to improve. More than 700 million people have escaped from poverty. Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth. All our historic achievements have strengthened our confidence in the path, theory, system and culture of Chinese socialism. As I pointed out in 2017 in the report to the 19th CPC National Congress, after several decades, Chinese socialism has entered a new era. The principal challenge facing Chinese society is the gap between unbalanced and inadequate development and the ever-growing expectation of the people for a better life. In the past, we worked to provide for people's basic needs; now we are striving to improve their quality of life. We must focus on improving the quality and efficiency of development to better meet the growing expectation of our people in all areas, and further promote well-rounded personal development and common prosperity for all. By 2050, we will build China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful.

The 19th CPC National Congress made comprehensive plans to promote economic, political, cultural, social and eco-environmental progress in China. We will continue people-centered development and further implement the vision of innovative, coordinated, green, open, and shared development. By introducing in-depth reform in all areas, we hope to inspire creativity throughout society and unleash new impetus for development. We will raise opening up to higher levels and cover all areas. China will not close its door to the world; we will only open it wider. We have a grand yet simple goal – a better life for all our people. And we have full confidence in achieving this goal.

* Main points of the speech during a meeting with members of the World Leadership Alliance attending the 2017 Imperial Springs International Forum.

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