Xi Jinping: Pursuing a dream for 1.3b Chinese

Sustainable, high-quality economic growth is also imperative for the "Chinese dream," as China is now the world's second-largest economy.

"Future growth must be tangible and not exaggerated," Xi said. "It should be sustainable with good performance and good quality."

He urged accelerating the adjustment of China's economic structure and the transformation of its mode of economic development, adding that the country must implement an innovation-driven strategy for future development that focuses on growth quality and performance.

As chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission, Xi said a strong military is needed for the great renewal of the Chinese nation. He has demonstrated his strategic thinking on how to consolidate national defense and build strong armed forces.

For the past four months, Xi has inspected the army, navy, air force, second artillery corps and armed police, boarding warships and combat vehicles.

During an inspection tour to the Guangzhou Military Theater of Operations in December, Xi emphasized that soldiers must be loyal to the CPC and abide by the law.

"The armed forces need to be ready to assemble at the first call of the CPC and be capable of fighting and winning any battle, " Xi said while inspecting the Lanzhou Military Area.

While vowing to never allow the country's national sovereignty, security and development interests to be infringed upon, Xi reiterated that China will always remain a staunch force in upholding world peace, as the nation suffered from wars in the past.

"We will never seek hegemony or engage in expansion," he said.

When he met CY Leung and Chui Sai On, chief executives of the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, respectively, last year, Xi said he expects contributions from compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan in realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

During his February meeting with Lien Chan, honorary chairman of the Kuomintang, Xi stressed the CPC's confidence in carrying forward the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

The new leadership has full confidence in overcoming difficulties and bringing new prospects for the cross-Strait relations, he said.

"We sincerely hope Taiwan can develop along with the mainland and compatriots from both sides of the Strait can join hands in realizing the 'Chinese dream,'" he said.