in the latter half of the 20th century, relying on their own efforts, the chinese people went all out to make their country strong, and began socialist construction. on the poor and deprived foundation of old china, they built a relatively complete industrial structure and national economic framework, raising the levels of their cultural and material lives significantly. china started marching forward steadily toward prosperity. now, the chinese people are confidently taking the road to the future, the road of socialism with chinese characteristics pioneered by comrade deng xiaoping. these historic initiatives of the chinese people have fundamentally transformed the tragic fate of modern china, and they are also great contributions made by the chinese
people to the cause of human progress.
at this moment in time, when we are about to step into the 21st century and look ahead at the prospects for the next 50 years, we are filled with confidence. the chinese people will firmly and unswervingly follow the path of reform and opening-up. our goal is to realize modernization by the middle of the coming century, to make our country a wealthy, strong, democratic and civilized modern socialist country, and to achieve the great revival of the
chinese nation.
here, i would like to speak to you about some basic values of the chinese people. without an understanding of these, it is difficult to make sense of present and future events in china.
the chinese people have always respected the dignity and worth of human beings. the communist party of china led the people in revolution, construction and refo