The Communist Party of China (CPC) opens the 19th CPC National Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Oct 18, 2017. [Photo by Edmond Tang/China Daily]

Although China is still at the initial stage of socialism, most Chinese people are no longer struggling just to meet their basic needs. The main contradiction now is people's growing needs for a better life with the country's unbalanced and insufficient development, as Xi pointed out in his report at the opening ceremony of the 19th CPC National Congress on Wednesday.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the Party led by Xi has remained committed to realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, and it has taken upon itself the great historical responsibility of attaining its "Two Centenary Goals" of building a moderately prosperous society by 2020, one year before the Party's 100th anniversary in 2021, and developing China into a "great modern socialist nation" by the 100th anniversary of the People's Republic of China in 2049.

To accomplish these goals, the Party will adhere to the "Four Comprehensives" of comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society, comprehensively deepening reform, comprehensively advancing the rule of law and comprehensively and strictly governing the Party, and it will advance the "Five Development Concepts" of innovation, coordination, green, openness and shared development.

Therefore, the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era reflects the governance philosophy of the CPC Central Committee with Xi as the core, and it is a systematic theoretical framework for realizing socialist modernization and national rejuvenation.

It stresses fairness and justice, as it seeks to narrow the wealth gap and enable more people to share the fruits of the country's development, and the Party has been improving its governance, and deepening people-oriented reform.

Building a moderately well-off society offers the strategic foundation for China's modernization and national rejuvenation. Comprehensively deepening reform offers strong impetus. The rule of law offers legal guarantee for good, modern governance. And comprehensively and strictly governing the Party ensures it can provide strong leadership.

As an emerging major power, China will influence the world order and may face opposition from established powers despite playing a vital role in improving global governance. China is approaching center stage in global affairs as it transforms from a major country to a major power. And Xi's diplomatic philosophy has made it clear how China will deal with other countries in order to create a peaceful environment, which is crucial for realizing the dream of national rejuvenation.

Although China seeks to maintain peace and adopts a defensive policy, it needs a strong army to defend itself in the face of complicated challenges. That is why a strong military is a necessary part of the Chinese Dream.

The Chinese Dream is the dream of rejuvenation for all Chinese people including the people in the mainland, as well as compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. And the insistence on the "one country, two systems" and the 1992 Consensus are the guarantee for realizing the dream of all Chinese people.

Therefore, the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has clear goals, and it is the means to realize the two centenary goals and the great dream of national rejuvenation. As for the means, the strategic layout of the "Four Comprehensives" reflects the profound thinking and top-level design of the Party's central leadership toward socialist modernization and national rejuvenation.

Along with the legal guarantees and strong Party leadership, it constitutes a complete, effective people-oriented system for achieving China's modernization and national rejuvenation that conforms to socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Therefore, the thought is people-oriented, highlighted by the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, and conforms to socialism with Chinese characteristics. The report raises the questions of "what kind of modernization and national rejuvenation China should have", and explores ways to achieve the goals of modernization and national rejuvenation.

The author is a professor at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee.