President Xi Jinping has encouraged young Chinese people to dare to dream, work assiduously to fulfill their dreams and contribute to the revitalization of the nation.

He said the young generation - with firm will, a strong sense of responsibility and great professional competence - is the hope of realizing the "Chinese dream".

Xi made the remarks during a discussion with a group of young people from all walks of life, including space technology engineers, agricultural researchers and an electric welder, to mark the country's Youth Day on Saturday.

The "Chinese dream" is a much-discussed concept that has been brought to prominence by Xi. It is widely understood to mean the renewal of the Chinese nation.

"Young people should be optimistic and tenacious when facing adversities," Xi said, asking them to remain steadfast in their faith, refine their professional skills, embrace innovation, work hard and build noble characters.

While visiting the China Academy of Space Technology, where the meeting was held, Xi said the nation has great hope for youths in achieving scientific and technological innovation.

He said young scientists have played a key role in China's lunar probe program, unmanned and manned spacecraft and satellite technology.

"A nation will be prosperous if its young generation is ambitious and reliable," said Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

He expects the young generation to make great accomplishments and encouraged them to work at the grassroots and the frontline in order to hone their skills and enhance abilities required in their career.

"Young people should emancipate the mind, advance with the times, forge ahead and innovate so as to gather experience and make achievements," he said.

This is the first time the new Chinese leadership has elaborated on the relationship between youths and the "Chinese dream".

In the course of pursuing the road to modernization in China during the past century, young people have always been an important force in realizing social transformation and national rejuvenation, said Zheng Changzhong, a scholar with the School of International Relations and Public Affairs at Fudan University.

In an information era, China's development needs youths to be more united with consensus. The "Chinese dream" concept should be able to play a banner role in inspiring young people to strive for a better life and a stronger nation, Zheng said.

Also on Thursday, Xi told Peking University students to make contributions "with pioneer spirits".

The Chinese dream is a dream of the nation and every Chinese including young people, Xi wrote in a letter to students studying archaeology and museology whom he met at the university last year.

"Only by integrating individual dreams to the national cause can one finally make great achievements," he said.

Xi said he expects young people to "cherish the glorious youth, strive with pioneer spirit and contribute their wisdom and energy to the realization of the Chinese dream".

Senior students from the School of Archaeology and Museology of Peking University wrote Xi a letter in April, and received his response on Thursday.

"The letter from the president is the most precious gift for us, Peking University students, for this Chinese Youth Day. It is a special surprise and a gift," said Yang Yachen, a senior from the school's School of Foreign Languages.

He Bangzhen, a sophomore from the university's School of Government Management, said he believes the letter is not only intended for students at the School of Archaeology and Museology, but also to all Peking University students and Chinese youth.

Echoing Xi's remarks, Vice-President Li Yuanchao on Saturday said young people should never stop learning or making contributions.

He told a group of young people in Beijing to grasp great opportunities from China's development to achieve progress in their own careers.

China Daily

(China Daily 05/06/2013 page3)