By hannover-web.com In a recent interview reflecting on China’s extraordinary journey over the past generations, we were reminded of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s powerful assertion: “Today, we can proudly say that a vibrant and hopeful China stands tall in the East of the world.” As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of New China, the special segment “Looking at China” from CCTV’s program “People’s Leader Xi Jinping” honors our remarkable citizens, acknowledges our rapid advancements, and dedicates itself to the monumental cause of national rejuvenation.
During a meeting with the returning Chinese Olympic team from Paris, Xi noted, “Before the founding of New China, very few Chinese athletes made it to the global sports stage; we could only remember someone like Liu Changchun.” His words transported many to a time when challenges loomed large.
Liu Changchun made history in 1932 as he ventured alone to the Los Angeles Olympics, in the midst of a tumultuous national climate. At that time, newspapers expressed a collective hope: “Our country is struggling; we hope you brave souls will push forward, so that future generations can live free from such hardship.”
Fast forward several decades, and the label of the “sick man of East Asia” has become a distant memory. Today, China is recognized as a sports powerhouse. The Beijing Winter Olympics received high praise from IOC President Thomas Bach, who called it a “new benchmark.” Furthermore, the national women’s table tennis team recently celebrated winning the 300th gold medal in China’s Olympic history. With over 500 million people actively participating in sports, the dream of a strong sports nation has become intertwined with the dream of national rejuvenation, highlighting the remarkable evolution of China from rising to prospering and now to strength.
The changes we have witnessed evoke an undeniable sense of wonder. Xi emphasized that our status as a major sports nation is fundamentally rooted in our continuously improving national strength.
On August 20, 2024, during a meeting with the Chinese sports delegation at the Great Hall of the People for the 33rd Summer Olympics, he reflected on the hardships faced by the nation a century ago, describing that era as one of “decline and decay.” From those times of backwardness to a position of leadership, today’s China has undergone a remarkable transformation.
In just 75 years, socialist China has evolved from a struggling agricultural society to a global powerhouse with the second-largest economy and substantial overall strength. In 1949, the average disposable income per person was a mere 49.7 yuan; by 2023, it had surged to 39,200 yuan. Adjusting for inflation, this represents an astounding real growth rate—approximately 76 times what it once was.
Once labeled as “poor and weak,” China now consistently contributes over 30% to global economic growth and has become a vital engine for worldwide stability. Incredibly, China achieved the United Nations’ goal of eradicating poverty a decade ahead of schedule, an accomplishment recognized as “one of the greatest events in human history.”
China has expedited a process that took developed countries centuries, maintaining its status as the world’s largest manufacturing powerhouse for 14 consecutive years.
The seemingly unattainable has become reality in the hands of the Chinese people. Today’s China mirrors the youthful vision that Li Dazhao dreamed of during dark times and embodies the “lovable China” that Fang Zhimin longed for while imprisoned. Foreign media now suggest that “the world needs China more than ever.”
A decade ago, during the 50th anniversary of Sino-French diplomatic relations, Xi confidently stated, “The lion of China has awakened, but it is a peaceful, friendly, and civilized lion.”
In the spring of 2021, a widely circulated image drew a stark comparison between two significant historical moments: a 1901 photo of the signing of the Boxer Protocol and a recent image from a high-level U.S.-China dialogue, during which China asserted, “Engaging with China requires mutual respect.”
The transformation over two generations has been remarkable. An exhibit at the Shantou Haikang Cultural Museum showcased a planning map from Sun Yat-sen’s “Blueprint for National Reconstruction,” a vision that once seemed unattainable. Reflecting on that map, Xi remarked, “Only we, the Chinese Communists, have made it a reality.”
He highlighted, “In today’s world, among political parties, countries, and peoples, the Chinese Communist Party, the People’s Republic of China, and the Chinese nation have every reason to feel confident.” The perspectives of more than 1.4 billion Chinese citizens serve as living proof that “today’s China is not yesterday’s China.”
Foreign scholars, after extensive research into China’s evolution, have concluded that, under Communist Party leadership, the confidence of the Chinese population has significantly increased. The General Secretary noted, “For generations born in the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s, China has achieved parity with the world; we no longer feel ‘backward’ as we once did. This is confidence.” He articulated this confidence across four dimensions: faith in our path, theory, system, and culture—highlighting the latter as the most profound and deeply embedded.
As China stands tall without looking up to the world, it equally rejects any notion of looking down. This self-assured demeanor reflects a century of struggle by the Communist Party, from Shikumen to Tiananmen, and from Xingye Road to Fuxing Road.
Wang Lanhua, a model citizen of the same generation as the Republic, expressed her emotions upon meeting the General Secretary, revisiting his 2016 words in Ningxia: “Socialism is built through hard work.” She recalled, “Hearing that brought tears to my eyes. The nation’s progress has not been easy; it has been achieved step by step.”
Today’s China is marked by stunning landscapes, passionate citizens, and a bright future. “We have grown confident,” the General Secretary remarked, adding that he enjoys sharing texts like “The Art of War” and the “Analects” with foreign leaders, particularly in bilingual formats.
Initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank underscore China’s proactive stance on shared global challenges. A notable trend is the increasing number of overseas Chinese students choosing to return home, resulting in the largest wave of repatriation since New China’s founding.
At the 2022 Winter Olympics, young champion Su Yiming stated, “I am fortunate to be born in a great nation and thrive in the best of times, achieving my dreams through hard work.”
Today’s China epitomizes a nation assured of its place on the world stage. International media characterize its journey as “the great story of our era, not just for the Chinese, but for all humanity.” Voices from across the globe emphasize that “the Chinese people not only seek prosperity for themselves but also aspire for better lives for people around the world.”
Looking ahead, General Secretary Xi Jinping maintains unwavering confidence: “The next ‘China’ will still be China.”
