President’s address focuses on the people
President Xi Jinping’s important speech delivered on Tuesday reflected his peoplecentered philosophy of governance as well as his commitment to building a community of a shared future for humankind, analysts said.
Zhu Lijia, a professor of public management at the Chinese Academy of Governance, said Xi’s speech showed his deep love for the people, his spirit of serving the people and his sense of responsibility to bring a happier life to the people.
The people-centered governance philosophy is the core of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, he said.
Ruan Zongze, executive vicepresident of the China Institute of International Studies, said that Xi’s speech not only focused on the Chinese people, but also stressed the importance of creating benefits for the whole of humankind.
“On domestic issues, he has spoken extensively of improving the people’s livelihoods, and on international issues, his people-centered philosophy is key to improving global governance,” he said.
Xi has stressed the importance of building a community of a shared future for humankind on different occasions in recent years, and the proposal has met with an international consensus, he added.
Xi’s speech also emphasized the openness of China’s foreign policy, Ruan said, adding that China’s development and opening-up not only benefits its own people but also benefits the development of other countries and their people.
Wang Yiwei, a professor of international studies at Renmin University of China, said that through such proposals as the Belt and Road Initiative, China is creating more opportunities for the world, he said.
“The Belt and Road Initiative emphasizes synergy rather than replacement or confrontation,” he said. The synergy between China and other countries or international organizations will have the effect of “one plus one is greater than two”.
“Other countries should objectively and correctly evaluate rather than misjudge China’s purpose,” he added.
Xi’s speech received positive feedback from many foreign diplomats, and they expressed optimism toward China’s development under Xi’s leadership.
Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, United Arab Emirates ambassador to China, said it is amazing to see that China, which contributes more than 30 percent of the world’s economic growth, continues to be so open and allows other countries to be a part of its development.
“President Xi’s re-election is also a positive sign of China’s continued prosperity, going into a new era that will be
great for the world both in terms of stability and economic development,” he said.
Vsevolod Sobko, political counselor at the embassy of Ukraine, said that Xi’s speech was “very inspiring and sincere”.
“It is clear that China under his leadership will definitely have further success. We respect the will and the great decision of the Chinese people in electing Xi for another term,” he said.
Zhang Zilin, an NPC deputy and mayor of Suihua in Heilongjiang province, said he was inspired by Xi’s speech, which highlighted the great spirit of the Chinese people, the Chinese nation and the Communist Party of China.
“After we return to our city, we’ll make our best efforts to accomplish all the tasks laid down by the session and devote ourselves to fulfilling national rejuvenation by focusing on elevating government work efficiency,” he said.
Wong Yuk-Shan, an NPC deputy and president of the Open University of Hong Kong, said he noticed that Xi’s words about the Taiwan question “garnered the most long-lasting applause from the legislators”.
“The words President Xi used on this subject were particularly strong and serious, and he stressed that any behavior intended to divide the country is doomed to fail,” he said.
“I believe Hong Kong citizens should learn more about the country’s laws as well as better participate in the steps to realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” he added.