He Junke:
Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the media, good morning.
It's my pleasure to be here and introduce to you the development of China's youth in the new era. First, on behalf of the ministerial-level joint meeting for implementation of the Medium- and Long-Term Youth Development Plan and the CYLC Central Committee, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to friends from all sectors for your long-term interest in and support for the development of China's youth.
Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has been attaching great importance to young people, caring deeply about them, fully trusting them, and making tremendous efforts for their development. This has enabled China to make all-round progress and secure historic achievements in its youth development. In general, the overall development of Chinese youth has outperformed the country's economic and social growth, with multiple core indicators reaching the average level of middle- and high-income countries. In order to showcase the vigorous image of young Chinese people in the new era and comprehensively present China's policy position on youth, the ministerial-level joint meeting compiled and completed this white paper under the support of the meeting's member institutions such as the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.
The white paper is the first of its kind since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 focusing on youth development. Based on a statistical and monitoring system for youth development initiated by the National Bureau of Statistics, we have given full play to experts and think tanks involved in the Medium- and Long-Term Youth Development Plan. We also pooled research resources on youth development from statistical reports, yearbooks and blue papers as well as agencies affiliated with the CYLC. As a result, the white paper objectively presents China's remarkable achievements in youth development since the 18th CPC National Congress and provides a group portrait of China's youth in the new era.
In terms of the environment for their growth, China's youth in the new era, living in the best times in Chinese history, enjoys better conditions for development, more opportunities to fulfill potential, more all-around protection and support, and a broader space to grow. They are embracing wonderful opportunities to secure a good career. As for their development and achievements, they are firmer in ideals and convictions with better physical and mental health, stronger intellectual foundations, and active participation in social activities. They sharpen skills through hard work and temper their abilities in adversity, displaying their ability to shoulder the responsibility of national rejuvenation. As for their sense of responsibility and accomplishments, they work hard and are dedicated in their work posts, lead the charge in difficult situations and emergencies, temper themselves through community service, take the lead in innovation and entrepreneurship, or spearhead cultural and ethical progress, showing their vibrancy with no fear of difficulties and hardships. Regarding their concern for the rest of humanity, they have more ways for external cooperation, and their "circle of friends" with whom they can communicate and cooperate continues to grow. They build consensus among youth through heart-to-heart communication and dialogue, work hand in hand on the journey towards a brighter future, embrace the world with greater openness and confidence, and show their broad vision to build a global community of shared future. The Chinese youth's spirit of vigor, confidence, and progress fully proves that it is completely correct for the Chinese government to uphold the Marxist view on youth, the principle that the Party exercises leadership over youth, and the concept of giving priority to youth development. The leadership of the Communist Party of China and the socialist system are the fundamental reasons for China's historic achievements in youth development and also the fundamental basis for its further development.
As the principal challenge facing Chinese society in the new era has changed profoundly, and the world is witnessing profound changes unseen in a century, we are also aware that many new situations and challenges are emerging in the country's youth development. People from all walks of life and groups are faced with many pressing difficulties and problems that need to be resolved, demanding care, understanding and collaborative support from all sectors of society. We will bear in mind the current realities of China's development and the fundamental dimension of the country's national context as well as the overall and long-term interests of the Chinese nation, fully recognize the crucial strategic role of youth, and continue to increase policy support in all fields so that young people can unleash more talents and contribute more to the great cause of national rejuvenation.
In just over 10 days, we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Youth League. As an advanced youth organization under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the league has always taken serving youth development as one of its important duties. We will fully implement Xi Jinping's important thinking on youth work, respond to the voices and demands of the youth in a timely manner, step up efforts to strengthen policy and social advocacy, give full play to our role as a bridge and bond connecting young people and serving them, coordinate the implementation of the Middle- and Long-term Youth Development Plan to realize greater achievements, and take concrete actions to set the stage for the Party's 20th National Congress.
That's all for my introduction. Thank you!
