China’s Youth Day falls on May 4 each year. Chinese President Xi Jinping extended his greetings to young people from all ethnic groups in the country during a visit to Renmin University of China in Beijing a few days ago. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has, on many occasions, shared his hopes and expectations on the young people. Edited excerpts of Xi’s speeches on this topic follow: 

  

Young people are the future of a nation and of the world.  

Excerpts from Xi’s speech at a conference marking the cente- nary of the May 4th Movement on April 30, 2019

  

The young are the hope of the country and the future of the nation.  

Excerpts from Xi’s speech at a meeting marking the 40th an- niversary of the release of the Message to Compatriots in Taiwan on January 2, 2019

  

Young people are like saplings that thrive on the earth, and one day they will grow into towering trees. 

Excerpts from Xi’s speech at a gathering to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Youth League of China on May 10, 2022

  

A nation will prosper only when its young people thrive.  

Excerpts from Xi’s report to the 19th CPC National Congress on October 18, 2017

  

A nation that places high hopes on its youth and maintains its youthful vigor can prosper.  

Excerpts from Xi’s speech at a gathering to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Youth League of China on May 10, 2022

 

Young people are a force that leads the social ethos.  

Excerpts from Xi’s speech to outstanding young representatives from all sectors of society on May 4, 2013

 

Young Chinese people in the new era have a broad space to give full play to their talents and have bright prospects of realizing their dreams.  

Excerpts from Xi’s speech at a gathering to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Youth League of China on May 10, 2022

  

The future belongs to the young people, and our hopes also rest with them. 

Excerpts from Xi’s speech at a ceremony marking the centenary of the Communist Party of China on July 1, 2021

  

The hope of the Communist Party of China and the country rests on the youth. 

Excerpts from Xi’s speech at a gathering to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Youth League of China on May 10, 2022

  

A nation will be full of hope and have a great tomorrow when its younger generations have ideals, ability and a strong sense of responsibility. 

Excerpts from Xi’s report to the 19th CPC National Congress on October 18, 2017

  

The Chinese Dream is ours, but also yours, the younger generation. 

Excerpts from Xi’s speech to outstanding young representatives from all sectors of society on May 4, 2013

  

High ambitions can stimulate your potential to forge ahead, so that you will not draft aimlessly like a boat without a rudder. 

Excerpts from Xi’s speech at a conference marking the centenary of the May 4th Movement on April 30, 2019

  

Now is the time for you to make the most of your youth; and the future is a time for you to look back on it. 

Excerpts from Xi’s speech to outstanding young representatives from all sectors of society on May 4, 2013

  

Let youth blossom in the unremitting endeavors for the motherland, the nation, the people and humankind. 

Excerpts from Xi’s speech during a visit to Tsinghua University ahead of its 110th anniversary on April 19, 2021

  

The Communist Party of China is a party that always maintains its youthful quality and is always worthy of the trust and following of young people. 

Excerpts from Xi’s speech at a gathering to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Youth League of China on May 10, 2022

Youth is the most active and energetic element among all forces in society. You are the hope and future of our country. Today, in the most promising period of the Chinese nation, young Chinese are endowed with rare opportunities to achieve things, and the mission to shoulder great responsibilities. In this new era, you should continue to carry forward the spirit of the May 4th Movement and take on your mission to realize national rejuvenation. You should meet the expectations of our Party and our people, be worthy of the trust of the nation, and live up to the demands of this great era.  

First, Chinese youths in the new era should establish great ideals. Young Chinese in the new era must have belief in Marxism, faith in Chinese socialism, and confidence in realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. 

Second, Chinese youths in the new era should love our country. In con- temporary China, the essence of patriotism is loving our country, our Party and socialism all and at the same time. Young Chinese in the new era should follow the instructions and guidance of the Party, and show concern and affection for our country and the People. 

Third, Chinese youths in the new era must shoulder your responsibilities. Young people must maintain your courage, fearing nothing and forging ahead in spite of difficulties and dangers. You should stand in the forefront and be the pioneers of national rejuvenation. 

Chinese youths must cherish this new era and grow with it. In the new era, you must work hard to perform on the vast stage of reform and opening up and on the journey to realizing the Chinese Dream. And you should endeavor to be- come morally, intellectually, physically, and aesthetically equipped to join and carry on the socialist cause. 

Fourth, Chinese youths in the new era must work hard. Hard work paints a bright backdrop for a young life. In the new era, young Chinese must forge ahead as brave and devoted pioneers in the forefront of the times against all difficulties and obstacles, and work hard to blaze new trails, achieve successes and create miracles that will astonish the world.  

Fifth, Chinese youths in the new era must have remarkable abilities. Youth is a golden age for developing skills through hard work. Chinese youths in the new era must have a stronger sense of urgency in learning, and work hard on studying the Marxist stance, viewpoint and methodology. You must master knowledge of science and culture and professional expertise. You must improve your attainment in humanities by educating yourselves and tempering your character through study. You must acquire more skills and become more professionally competent at work, so that you will be able to serve the people and make innovative and creative contributions to the country. 

Sixth, Chinese youths in the new era should temper your moral character. Faced with a complex and changing international landscape, young people must differentiate between truth and falsehood and keep to the right path, and never blindly follow what others say or do. Facing temptation from the outside world, you must remain resolute, strictly abide by rules, create a better life with hard and honest work, and never be opportunistic or become conceited. While enjoying the good times, you should remember those who fought to make the present possible and work to repay them. You should be grateful to the Party, the country, the society and the people. You are expected to go through hardships, understand what life entails, get to know people concerns and real problems, and identify the true meaning and value of life and work.   

In the new era young people must nurture and practice the core socialist values, draw nourishment from traditional Chinese virtues, learn from heroes and role models of the times, and enhance your moral integrity through introspection. You should recognize illustrious virtue, follow social ethics, and restrict personal desires, while guarding against temptations such as worship of money, self-indulgence, overly self-centered pursuits, and historical nihilism. You should aim high and look far to pursue a more lofty and fulfilling life, so that integrity and vitality will prevail throughout our society.  

Excerpts from Xi’s speech at a conference marking the centenary of the May 4th Movement on April 30, 2019

(Sources: Xi Jinping: The Governance of China (I&III), Xinhua News Agency and China Daily)