Long-term strategy undisrupted

In addition to the urgent task of combating COVID-19, China also sticks to its long-term strategy to achieve national rejuvenation.

On March 6, 2020, Xi stressed overcoming the impact of COVID-19 to clinch a complete victory in the fight against poverty at a symposium on securing a decisive victory in poverty alleviation.

Xi said that lifting all rural residents living below the current poverty line out of poverty by 2020 was a solemn promise made by the CPC Central Committee, and it must be fulfilled on time.

He called for continuous efforts on poverty alleviation, saying it is a tough battle and greater significance must be attached to it in the final push.

Several months after the symposium, China achieved the feat of removing all remaining counties from the country's poverty list.

On Nov 23, 2020, the last nine impoverished counties, all in Southwest China's Guizhou province, eliminated absolute poverty. It means that all 832 registered poor counties in China have shaken off poverty.

On Feb 25, 2021, Xi announced that China secured a "complete victory" in its fight against poverty while addressing a grand gathering in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to mark China's poverty alleviation accomplishments and honor model poverty fighters.

On July 1, 2021, Xi declared that China realized the first centenary goal of "building a moderately prosperous society in all respects" at a grand gathering to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the CPC's founding.

Long-term development planning is always on the agenda of Chinese authorities even as the country confronts severe tests from the epidemic.

In March 2020, at a critical moment of leading the Chinese people to fight the epidemic, Xi personally led the formulation of the CPC Central Committee's proposals for the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035.

One year later, China's top legislative body approved the Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035, a roadmap of the country's new journey toward socialist modernization.

The fact that China has included its experiences and reflection of epidemic control into the plan shows the Party's strategic determination to coordinate the present task and the long-term goal, said Liu Qiao, dean of Guanghua School of Management, Peking University.

Indeed, history has proven that China can ensure the success of development and security at the same time and is determined to achieve national rejuvenation.

The Xiong'an New Area construction is at full throttle, and the Hainan free trade port construction is in full swing. The Pudong New Area in Shanghai is on the way to becoming a pioneer area for socialist modernization.

China's eastern Zhejiang province is exploring effective ways to promote common prosperity while new plans have been released to boost the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development.

"The image China presents to the world today is one of a thriving nation that is advancing with unstoppable momentum toward rejuvenation," said Xi when addressing the ceremony celebrating the CPC centenary.