To realize the "Chinese Dream" of national rejuvenation, as President Xi Jinping stressed at the first Session of the 12th National People's Congress, the country must carry forward the Chinese spirit, which combines the patriotism-centered national spirit and the spirit of the times that centers on reform and innovation, says an article in People's Daily. Excerpts:

Spiritual support is necessary for people, as it is for a nation to move forward. Material well-being of the people is not the only aim of socialism, because spiritual consummation is also needed to realize the socialist dream. So to realize the dream of national rejuvenation, China must achieve both material and spiritual prosperity.

China has entered a period of social transformation and strategic reform at a time when the world is full of diverse voices and views. Facing the formidable task of reform and development, China needs to confront the challenges with even greater wisdom and courage. The closer the nation is to realizing its dream, the greater will be the need for people to strengthen their spiritual bond of unity and self-motivation.

The Chinese Dream is the dream of national strength and prosperity and people's happiness. The destiny of every individual is bound to that of the nation, be it when the country is fighting imperialist enemies or resisting foreign aggressors, or when deadly natural disasters strike. Many a little makes a mickle, and the spread of patriotism can help build consensus among the Chinese people and unite the entire population to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Reform and innovation, as the revolutionary ethos of the Chinese nation, will continue to spur China to forge ahead with the times. Historical changes have swept across the country, from rural reforms and the establishment of special economic zones, such as Shenzhen, to socialist market reforms.

China would not have been what it is today without the spirit of reform and innovation, and never before was the country in greater need of people's spiritual support to facilitate the ongoing strategic reform, eliminate vested interests and maximize the dividends derived from reform.

Lu Xun dedicated his life to evoking the spiritual awakening of the Chinese people. He attached great importance to the soul of the masses in national progress. In the pursuit of national rejuvenation on the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Chinese people must continue to uphold the Chinese spirit, with patriotism, reform and innovation playing a key role.

(China Daily 03/22/2013 page9)