President Xi Jinping delivers a New Year speech to ring in 2022 on Dec 31, 2021. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

BEIJING - President Xi Jinping delivered a New Year speech to ring in 2022 on Friday evening. 

In his speech, the president hailed 2021 as a year of exceptional significance, saying the Chinese people have lived through landmark events in the history of the Communist Party of China and the country.

FULL TEXT: 2022 New Year address by President Xi Jinping

At the historical convergence of the Two Centenary Goals, China has set out on a new journey of building a modern socialist country in all respects and is making confident strides on the path toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Xi said.

Xi called for vigorous and determined endeavor to fulfill the responsibility to history, prove worthy of the times and live up to people's expectations.

Xi called for vigorous and determined endeavor to fulfill the responsibility to history, prove worthy of the times and live up to people's expectations

Noting that the Communist Party of China celebrated its centenary on July 1, Xi said that Chinese Communists have led the Chinese people in an unyielding struggle against all obstacles and challenges, and scoring spectacular, epoch-making achievements over the past century.

Noting that the sixth plenary session of the 19th Communist Party of China Central Committee has adopted the Party's third resolution on historical issues, Xi said the Party's 100-year achievements provide a source of motivation and its 100-year experience a wellspring of inspiration.

"To realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will be no easy task like a walk in the park; it will not happen overnight, or through sheer fanfare," said Xi.

"We must always keep a long-term perspective, remain mindful of potential risks, maintain strategic focus and determination, and 'attain to the broad and great while addressing the delicate and minute,'" he added.

Realization of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and elimination of extreme poverty is what the Communist Party of China has delivered to the people, and it is also China's contribution to the world, Xi said.

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Those who once lived in poverty no longer have to worry about food or clothing, or access to education, housing and medical insurance, thanks to the sustained efforts of the Chinese people from generation to generation, he said.

The president underscored the importance of the human-nature relationship, saying "if we do not fail nature, nature shall never fail us"

The country must never rest on past achievements on the long way to ensure a better life for everyone, he said.

The president underscored the importance of the human-nature relationship, saying "if we do not fail nature, nature shall never fail us".

He particularly mentioned the Yellow River, saying that a Yellow River well harnessed is a millennia-long aspiration of the Chinese people. He recalled his visits to all nine provinces or autonomous regions on the upper, middle and lower streams of the river.

Xi also mentioned the Yangtze River, Qinghai Lake, Yarlung Zangbo River, the South-North Water Diversion, the Saihanba forest, as well as the northward trek and homecoming of elephants in Yunnan province, and the migration and return of Tibetan antelopes to illustrate the importance of a harmonious human-nature relationship.

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The year of 2021 has recorded many memorable Chinese voices, Chinese moments and Chinese stories, said Xi.

These included youthful vows of "pledging to the Party to make my country strong"; affectionate expression of "pure, true love saved for the motherland"; the Zhurong rover probing Mars, the Xihe satellite chasing the sun, and the Tianhe space station core module traveling among the stars; athletes outdoing themselves to excel on the sports field; the whole nation staying united in solid COVID-19 response; people in disaster-stricken areas standing together to rebuild their homes; members of the People's Liberation Army and Armed Police devoted to building a strong military and protecting our country, Xi said.

"The hard work and dedication of countless unsung heroes have all added to the great momentum of China's march forward in the new era," said Xi.