Commentary: Chinese dream resonates worldwide with visions for people's welfare

While delivering a speech in Seattle, Chinese President Xi Jinping shared with the world his vision of "Chinese dream," an aspiration that not only resonates with the "American dream" but also strikes a chord with peoples all around the world.

The "Chinese dream," as envisaged by Xi in late 2012, is to build a moderately prosperous society and realize national rejuvenation.

Seen by many as the greatest vision in China's modern history, the concept enshrines peace, development, cooperation and win-win results. But more fundamentally, as Xi has said, it is about "making life better for the Chinese people."

In his speech, Xi shared with the audience his personal experiences in 1960s when he was working as a farmer in a small village of Liangjiahe near Yan'an of Shaanxi Province in northwest China.

At that time, the villagers there lived in "earth caves" with no meat in their diet for months. But now, they are "living in houses with bricks and tiles. The villagers have Internet access. All villagers have medical care coverage. Children are in school. Of course, meat is readily available."

What has happened in Liangjiahe is but a microcosm of the progress China has made through reform and opening-up since 1978. Over more than three decades, the Chinese people have never stopped pursuing their dreams for a better life.

By telling his own story, Xi explained to the world the origin of the Chinese dream: It is the common aspiration of all the Chinese people and a great vision which is deeply rooted in their hearts.

"The Chinese dream is after all a dream of the people. We can fulfill the Chinese dream only when we link it with our people's yearning for a better life," Xi communicated the vision's essence to the audience with a plain language, but in a profound way.

More than creating a better life for the Chinese people, the realization of the Chinese dream means the country will make an even greater contribution to the world's growth and prosperity.

Over the years, China has made an extraordinary journey on its path of peaceful development, lifting hundreds of millions people out of poverty and hundreds of millions more into the middle class.

"We have turned China into the world's second largest economy, lifted l.3 billion people from a life of chronic shortage and brought them initial prosperity and unprecedented rights and dignity," Xi stressed in the speech.

Between 1990 and 2011, China lifted 439 million people out of poverty, making not only a great change in the life of the Chinese people but also significant contribution to global peace and development. Inspiring the world with its development path, China has helped the international community to share its experience in poverty alleviation.

Moreover, the realization of the Chinese dream also means the country will create and share more development opportunities with the United States and other countries.

From the Addis Ababa light rail line in Ethiopia to the hydroelectric station in Zambia, a series of infrastructure projects have helped African people come one step closer to their dreams for a better life.

From the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative to the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), China is welcoming passengers around the world to board its train of development and share the growth opportunity.

The initiative and the bank provide an exceptional opportunity and a practical path of development for more and more countries worldwide, which are showing stronger desire for the construction of a community of shared destiny.

While different countries may not have the exact same dream or the exact same path to realize it, due to differences in history, culture and stage of development, "all roads lead to Rome," Xi said.

The president also pointed out that, however different in meanings, these dreams are sources of inspiration for all peoples and create important opportunities for China and the United States, as well as other countries to engage in cooperation.

The Chinese dream, the American dream and even the world dream are similar and interconnected, and they are set to converge further on the course towards mutually beneficial cooperation and common prosperity.

"We are seeking economic prosperity, national renewal and people's well-being. The Chinese dream is about peace, development, cooperation and win-win results, and it is connected to the American dream and beautiful dreams of people in other countries," Xi said. Endi