New leadership will strive to achieve 'Chinese Dream': Xi

China's legislature concluded its annual session today completing the once-in-a-decade long leadership transition with newly elected President Xi Jinping calling on the ruling Communist Party and people to rise up to realise the "Chinese Dream".

"In face of the mighty trend of the times and earnest expectations of the people for a better life, we cannot have the slightest complacency, or get the slightest slack at work," Xi said at the closing meeting of the National People's Congress, China's legislature.

"We must make persistent efforts, press ahead with indomitable will, continue to push forward the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and strive to achieve the Chinese dream of great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," Xi said.

His address concluded the leadership transition from a decade long administration headed by Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao paving the way for new team led by Xi and Premier Li Keqiang, who were expected to steer China for the next decade.

To realise the "Chinese dream," China must take the Chinese way, he said.
As part of the leadership, the new leaders yesterday announced 25 Minister cabinet and a host of other officials.

The new administration takes over at time China's three decades of strong economic growth slowed down to 7.8 per cent last from the previous 9.3 per cent.
The new government set this year's target as 7.5 per cent.

China also faced a volatile situation in the neighbourhood with heightened tensions with Japan and South East Asian countries over the disputes islands in the East China Sea and South China Sea.

Besides corruption at levels, the new leadership is also faced simmering tensions in minority provinces like Tibet and Xinjiang.

While Tibet witnessed over 100 self immolations, Xinjiang the home of ethnic Uygur Muslims is experiencing violent attacks against Hans from the mainland with periodic unrest.

In his address today, Xi said, People of all nationalities must gain confidence in the theory, the road and the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and forge valiantly and unswervingly ahead along the right road.

"To realise the Chinese road, we must spread the Chinese spirit, which combines the spirit of the nation with patriotism as the core and the spirit of the time with reform and innovation as the core", Xi said.

The Chinese people of all ethnic groups must spread the great spirit of the nation and the great spirit of the time, keep strengthening the spiritual bond of solidarity and the spiritual drive of constantly striving for improvement, and step toward the future, always full of vigour and vitality, Xi said.

He paid rich tributes to his predecessor Hu Jintao, saluting his contribution.
Hu deserves heartfelt gratitude and respects for his outstanding contribution to the country over the past decade, he said.

"Comrade Hu Jintao has established outstanding merits for upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, with his rich political wisdom, skilled leadership capabilities and diligence," he said.

His remarks was interrupted by a long applause from nearly 3,000 NPC deputies in salute to Hu, who served as Chinese president over the past decade.
Hu rose and bowed to the deputies.

"Hu has won the heartfelt love from all ethnic groups in China and applause from international communities," Xi said.