Students from top Chinese universities said they have deepened their patriotism and sense of duty after listening to lectures delivered by senior officials about the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

On Tuesday, Jiang Jianguo, the deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, visited Nanjing University to convey the spirit of the congress to more than 600 students and educators.

Jiang said Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a "historic achievement that will guide China's future." He also discussed China's overall changes over the past five years with data and analysis.

China devoted 2.08 percent of its total GDP to research and innovation in 2016, which is more than the average of European countries, he said. "Science and innovation are now seeing great leaps in quality and systematic improvements," he added.

Wei Changshuo, a senior majoring in life science, told Xinhua News Agency that he felt "deeply inspired" by all the achievements China has made in science and innovation over the years. "Although there are still many fields where China hasn't reached the top, I fully believe China will become stronger with our efforts."

Zhang Yixiu, an assistant philosophy professor, said he now has a deeper understanding of his duties in the new era.

"Our staff and students have hosted several seminars on the 19th National Congress, and all of us are very excited and motivated," Zhang said.

"We teachers must guide the younger generations to tie their faith and dreams to China and help the country achieve its Two Centenary Goals".

On Friday and Saturday, students from Beijing Normal University, Fudan University, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhejiang University and other top schools also received visits from government speakers.

The speakers included Qu Qingshan, director of the Party History Research Center of the CPC Central Committee; Yuan Shuhong, Party secretary of the Legal Affairs Office of the State Council; Shen Chunyao, director of the Commission of Legislative Affairs of the National People's Congress Standing Committee; and Cai Fang, vice-president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Shen encouraged students and staff at Sun Yat-sen University to travel to rural parts of China to energize their spirits and get a better understanding of the actual needs of the people. "Building the Chinese dream requires great effort from everyone," he said.

"We need to go where the country needs us, and shoulder the responsibility of the new era," Guo Yige, a freshman majoring in material science, told Xinhua. Youths in the new era should be resilient and hardworking, he said.

zhangzhihao@chinadaily.com.cn