Overview

First mention:

"Chinese dream" resonates online after Xi's speech
On November 29, 2012, Xi, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said "realizing the great renewal of the Chinese nation is the greatest dream for the Chinese nation in modern history" when he visited "The Road Toward Renewal" exhibition in Beijing along with other members of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau.

Latest mention:

Xi shares ‘Chinese dream’
Newly elected Chinese president Xi Jinping on March 17 underlined the importance of sharing the "Chinese dream" with everyone in the country during the closing ceremony of the first session of the 12th National People's Congress, following the installation of the new leadership.

During his keynote speech delivered to the country's top legislature, Xi said the Chinese dream "is a dream of the whole nation, as well as of every individual," noting that all Chinese deserve "common opportunities to enjoy a wonderful life."

Interpretations:

To realize this dream, China must adhere to socialism with Chinese characteristics while fostering the "Chinese spirit" and uniting the people as a form of "Chinese strength," said Xi, who was elected president on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Premier Li Keqiang also pledged to deepen comprehensive reforms and allow all the people in the country to share in the dividends of reforms.

Sharing Dreams

Video: CCTV street interview: What’s your dream?

11-year-old schoolboy, Beijing My dream is to be a pilot.	Shi Kaize, 6, Xining, Northwest China’s Qinghai Province My dream is to be a driver.	Student, East China’s Shandong Province I dream that I’ll never have to do homework.	Middle school student, North China’s Hebei Province I want to go to university.	Student from Shijiazhuang Special Education School, 17, North China’s Hebei Province I want to be a doctor when I grow up.
Nurse, Changsha, Central China’s Hunan Province I hope to advance my career.	Street performer, North China’s Hebei Province My dream is to bring joy and happiness to children.	Hair stylist, Shanghai I just want to make my clients more beautiful.	Researcher at Sichuan Agricultural University I hope my research could someday better mankind.	Train attendant, Northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province I don’t have any dreams. I just want to do my job well.
Factory worker My dream for now is to get married, buy a car and an apartment.	Blood donor My dream is very simple - that my family and friends are all healthy.	Craftsman All I want is a stable family and that my children live a happy life.	Retiree My dream is to live long and healthy life.	Retiree I hope that the country becomes more powerful and we all prosper.

Comments

Chinese Media:

	GT Editorial: National dream echoes individual hopes The "Chinese Dream" is no longer a mandatory political idea. The social diversity it accommodates is at a record high. The "Chinese Dream" will promote the building of a political and ideological consensus amid the public and unite the country's seemingly fragmented society. Xi committed to reform, but balancing domestic-int’l demand tricky It looks certain that the dilemma between balancing win-win relationships and the perceived strategic imperative of protecting the territorial sovereignty of the country will continue to confront the new leadership.
	The Chinese military has promised to ensure the realization of the Chinese dream through actively shouldering the responsibility of safeguarding national sovereignty and security, according to the General Political Department of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). “The entire military should fully understand the importance of national defense and army building during the fulfillment of the Chinese dream, which includes building strong armed forces and serving the interests of the country,” the PLA Daily reported on March 18.
	People.com.cn noted that the Chinese dream is not a mirage, but rather a reflection of Chinese society. In order to realize this dream, China must adhere to socialism with Chinese characteristics. Fulfilling this dream is both the goal of the entire nation and every single one of China’s 1.3 billion people. This is the most outstanding part of the Chinese dream. “The Chinese dream is a dream of the whole nation, as well as every individual,” newly-elected Chinese president Xi Jinping said on March 17.
	China benefits the most through reforms. The capital market serves as a barometer of the economic development, and it welcomes any new policy that helps realize the Chinese dream, according to the Securities Times. Through the efforts of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, the securities market is more transparent and regulated by rule of law, while market supervision authorities work to achieve the Chinese dream. Securities watchdogs need courage, wisdom and tenacity to fulfill our Chinese dream.

Scholars:

Liu Renwen, a researcher with the Institute of Law under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
"Under the former ideals and education we encouraged people to sacrifice for collective interests and the greater good, but now it encourages personal achievements, which signals improvements in our society and demonstrates the public's expectation of sharing in the dividends of reforms."

Wu Zongmin, a professor with the Party School of the CPC Central Committee
"People’s happiness is not only measured by their incomes, but also the possibility for them to pursue a dignified life."

Zhou Xiaozheng, a professor of sociology at the Renmin University of China
"The mission for the new government is still tough. The gap between the rich and the poor is still huge," Zhou said, adding that he is cautiously optimistic about the new leaders because what they say shows improvement but what they will do to implement these policies is more important.

Sun Xianzong, an NPC deputy and research fellow with the Institute of Law, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
Sun said the "Chinese dream" is also a signal to the rest of the world that China intends to maintain stability, realize sustainable growth, improve social justice and emerge in a constructive way.

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