China.org.cn | July 13, 2021
Chen Wenjun:
Next, let's invite Mr. Han to make an introduction.
Han Wenxiu:
Good morning, everyone. I will, from the perspective of economic and social development, elaborate on the great achievements and experience of the CPC over the past century since its founding.
Over the past century, the CPC has united and led the Chinese people to carry out a great revolution and construction undertaking that was unprecedented and painstaking, transforming the old China, which was impoverished and suffered badly, into a new socialist country that is rising and thriving and leading the Chinese nation onto the broad road toward the great goal of national rejuvenation. To achieve the original aspiration and the mission of seeking happiness for the Chinese people and the rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, we need a sound material foundation.
Under the leadership of the CPC, China's economic strength has increased significantly. In the 70 years since the founding of the PRC, China's economy has grown around 189 times in real terms. China rose to be the second largest economy worldwide with a GDP of more than 100 trillion yuan, accounting for over 17% of the world's total. In the early days of the founding of the PRC, we couldn't even produce a tractor. Now we have become the only country in the world with an industrial system covering all the industrial categories according to the United Nations Industrial Classification, with the output of more than 220 kinds of products, including cars and computers, ranking first in the world. The fast improvement in China's economic strength and comprehensive national strength demonstrates a bright future for national rejuvenation.
Under the leadership of the CPC, the past century witnessed huge changes in the lives of the Chinese people. When the PRC was founded, the per capita national income in China was only tens of dollars, the average life expectancy of the Chinese people was only 35 years, the adult literacy rate was around 20%, and the infant mortality rate was as high as 200‰. After 70 years of hard work since the founding of the PRC, the per capita national income in China has exceeded $10,000, the average life expectancy has risen to 77.3 years, the average length of schooling for people over the age of 15 has reached 9.9 years, and the infant mortality rate has been reduced to 5.6‰. China has lifted 770 million people in rural areas out of poverty since reform and opening-up, accounting for more than 70% of the global total over the same period. China has eradicated extreme poverty for the first time over its history of thousands of years, has built a moderately prosperous society in all aspects, and is heading steadily towards the goal of common prosperity.
Over the course of the century-long struggle, the CPC has gained many valuable experiences and understanding in leading and promoting economic and social development. We must remain committed to strengthening the leadership of the CPC in promoting economic development. We must make development the top priority in governing and rejuvenating the country. We must bear in mind the central task of high-quality development, advance reform and opening-up, practice and improve the basic socialist economic system, leaving the market to play a decisive role in the allocation of resources and the government to better play its role, implement a win-win strategy of opening-up, and create a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized business environment. We must make innovation the primary driver of growth, and accelerate efforts in building China into a leader in science and technology and achieving sci-tech self-reliance and self-strengthening at higher levels. We must uphold a people-centric approach, work hard to ensure and improve people's wellbeing through development, and strive to constantly meet the people's desire for a better life. We must believe that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets and stay on the path of sustainable development featuring advanced production, higher living standards and healthy ecosystems. The new era has entrusted the CPC with new missions. Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we must ground our efforts in the new development stage, apply the new development philosophy, and create a new development paradigm. We must act on the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability and strive for new victories in fully building a modern socialist country. Thank you.