Propounding the concept of the Chinese Dream on Nov 29, 2012, soon after being elected general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, President Xi Jinping said the greatest dream of China and its people is the rejuvenation of the nation. And Xi, who is leading the people to realize that great dream said on the eve of the New Year that 2018 is vital to that great quest.

The Chinese people have been struggling since the advent of modern times to realize the Chinese Dream－of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects by the time the Party celebrates its centenary in 2021, and turning China into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful by the time the People's Republic of China celebrates its centenary in 2049.

In his report to the 19th CPC National Congress on Oct 18, Xi re-emphasized the importance of the Chinese Dream. Since its establishment, the CPC has made realizing the Chinese Dream its greatest objective. Xi also said that to realize the great dream, we have to go through a great struggle, build great projects and promote the great cause.

The Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation is the dream of all Chinese people and the source of strength for China in the new era.

It can be realized by adhering to "Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era", which is the foundation for achieving the Chinese Dream.

Xi said we should stick to the Chinese path, promote the Chinese spirit and gather Chinese strength in order to achieve national prosperity, national rejuvenation and people's happiness. Gathering Chinese strength is the fundamental guarantee to achieve the Chinese Dream, and it is the most important source of Chinese strength, which refers to the power of the united struggle of people of all ethnic groups in the country.

We have to continuously improve the country's comprehensive national strength. Only in this way can we hope to achieve the great dream.

And as Xi's report to the 19th Party Congress pointed out, to realize the Chinese Dream, we should make governance our top priority.

Motivated by the Chinese Dream, the Chinese people should gather Chinese strength to make the development environment better, promote sustainable and healthy economic growth, and improve China's comprehensive national strength, as well as address contradictions, and promote national prosperity and strength.

The Chinese Dream is the engine that promotes China's development in the new era. It sets the goal of our struggle, and points out the direction of China's development.

More importantly, to realize the Chinese Dream, we should follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, which is the guide as well as the fundamental path to realize the great dream. Socialism with Chinese characteristics is the essence of the valuable and successful experiences the CPC has accumulated during the stages of revolution, nation building and reform.

Xi has been reiterating that we should be confident of our theory, path, system and culture, and of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In the new era, therefore, the Chinese people should make united efforts to achieve the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation by the time the People's Republic of China celebrates its centenary in 2049, in order to help China make greater contributions to humankind.

The author is director of the Center for Anti-corruption Studies, University of Science and Technology of Beijing.