Xi leads China's final sprint to achieve milestone Xiaokang goal(3)

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Building a Xiaokang society in all respects represents an intermediate step in China's pursuit of modernization.

Xi said "in all aspects" is what makes the goal much more difficult to achieve. Culture, public health, rule of law and science are all part of it. He led the formulation of policies and initiated reforms to let cultural activities blossom, promote fairness and justice, and construct a strong public health system.

He also led reforms to increase the country's urbanization rate to over 60 percent and build unified basic health insurance and pension systems that cover both urban and rural residents, among other moves to close the urban-rural gap.

Xi has encouraged farmers to grow distinctive rural industries and use online platforms to market their products. "There will always be some hundred million rural people. We can't have prosperous cities on one hand and dilapidated countryside on the other," he said.

Under Xi's watch, China has made major breakthroughs in science and technology, in the fields of quantum communication, artificial intelligence, 5G and high-speed trains. Innovation has become a key driving force for high-quality development.

The economic transformation and upgrading have also sped up, with emerging new industries, new business forms and new models. China is also opening up wider. It has expanded pilot free trade zones, accelerated the building of the Hainan free trade port, and hosted a series of events such as the China International Import Expo and the China International Consumer Products Expo. The country has seen thriving economic and trade exchanges with Belt and Road countries.

A Xiaokang China is one that is innovative, full of vigor, beautiful and open.

Looking ahead, the Chinese people are marching in confident strides toward building a great modern socialist China and achieving national rejuvenation.