As President Xi Jinping said in his report to the 19th CPC National Congress on October 18, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era and "its goal is practical, because it focuses on people," said Carlos Penaloza, Director General of Radio Internacional from Spain.

Penaloza is impressed by Chinese people's positive attitude towards life. "They hold high expectations for the future and for the country," he told Beijing Review.

This year, more than 3,000 journalists have come to Beijing to cover the CPC National Congress. Among them, 1,818 are from abroad, and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, 6.7 percent more than those present at the 18th CPC National Congress. Foreign reporters come from 134 countries, 19.6 percent more than the previous congress, according to the press center.

For Peter Arusi, a reporter from South Sudan Television, the most interesting part in covering the congress is how China meets people's needs. "People are happy, they are satisfied. China is trying to alleviate poverty, to bring poor people up to a better level," he said.

On October 21, dozens of foreign journalists visited the Chaoyang District Elder Care Service Guidance Center. The center provides services like remote consultancy, home-based service as well as training and education for the residents living in Chaoyang District.

Foreign journalists were impressed by the lifestyle of Chinese seniors, most of whom are older than 65. They study calligraphy, dancing and playing musical instruments at the center after retiring. Besides, single seniors can also enjoy a matchmaking service, which the media contingent found very motivating.

"The most interesting part is the dating site where they can meet [up] for marriage and enjoy life as they used to," said Arusi. He told Beijing Review that in his country, children are the only option when it comes to looking after seniors. "We have to bring our elderly father or grandparents to stay with us. It's difficult to take care of them if you have a fulltime job," he said.

Zubair Qureshi, with the Pakistan Observer, also found the service center impressive. "This is really a solution [for the elderly] people. They are lonely, but they are given some work to do, and they can even marry a new partner," he said.

Penaloza said seniors represent wisdom and taking good care of them sets a good example to the youth. "Thus people will have a strong sense of belonging to the country and will pass it down to our next generation." He sees this as one of the secrets of China's development.

Copyedited by Cisco

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