Over the next seven to eight years, China will be striving to accomplish a dream that goes back to the roots of our civilization 5,000 years ago; a dream that all Chinese would enjoy security, have sufficient to eat and lead a moderately prosperous lifestyle. This is a dream held over the centuries by emperors and commoners alike. Today it is the publicly stated goal of our newly-elected President Xi Jinping.

On Nov 29, 2012, Xi said: "Realizing the great renewal of China is the greatest dream for the Chinese people in modern history." Then in March, after his election as president, Xi made another call for the "Chinese Dream" when he said that to achieve it China must adhere to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

That path has been a tough and tortuous one over the 60-odd years since the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949 and particularly since the reforms and opening-up of 1978-79 when China began transforming its economy from rural to industrial. This was accomplished at a truly remarkable rate of progress against seemingly impossible odds, astonishing the world.

We Chinese never ceased dreaming! And we have realized many of our dreams through the ages! But this is a self-renewal process for Chinese culture over five millennia, with the Chinese people always wishing to better their lot through hard work and commitment to traditional Chinese values.

President Xi also urged China to seek solidarity by unifying all Chinese people. This is to ensure that the opportunities made possible by today's prosperity are accessible to all Chinese, so that the ordinary people can grow and prosper together with our nation and in step with modern times. After all, the "Chinese Dream" is manifested by the revitalization and happiness of the entire nation, and not having its benefits limited to a few.

The grandest dreams, at the level of the nation and State, are peace, security and economic progress at a sustainable level. Dreams of a much smaller scale, reflecting those of the man in the street, are food, housing, education, a decent standard of living, old-age security, and dignity of the individual. Such dreams of China's 1.3 billion people have interwoven to form the grand dream - the modern dream of China.

A key feature of this dream is an acknowledgement that our destinies are intertwined. This much larger national dream contrasts with those driven by individual aspirations in that it seeks to provide a better life for everybody. It is a national calling to a common purpose and for a collective approach in our pursuit, where the well-being of all is taken into account, be it environmental protection, respect for personal rights and property, equal opportunities and rule of law.

Today's Chinese Dream calls for the comprehensive development in a coordinated and holistic approach, for the purpose of fulfilling these three main goals:

First, to enable all across the nation to enjoy a moderately prosperous standard of living within 10 years to mark the 110th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party (2021).

Second, to achieve the full realization of modern socialism with Chinese characteristics in another 30 years, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the PRC (2049).

Third, the progressive realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese people in the 21st century.

As the "Chinese Dream" is being fulfilled, China will be able to assume more international responsibilities and obligations commensurate with its influence and renewed confidence, projecting the voices of 1.3 billion Chinese people to promote a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity, and making greater contributions to world peace for the betterment of humanity.

Finally, let us remember the dream of Sun Yat-sen: "Once our goal of modernizing China is accomplished, the dawn of a new century will shine upon our beautiful country, and the whole of humanity will enjoy a more brilliant future".

The author is vice-chairman and secretary-general of the China Energy Fund Committee.

(HK Edition 04/24/2013 page1)