LONG-TERM INSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS

In fact, the Chinese leadership has laid down institutional arrangements and plans for many other fields, which not only aim to achieve the goal of building an "all-round well-off society" by 2020, but also ensure the country's lasting stability.

The CPC adopted a comprehensive legal reform plan at a key meeting in October, which is regarded as a new roadmap for advancing rule of law in the world's second largest economy in the next five to ten years, or even longer.

It was the first time a plenary session of the CPC Central Committee had taken rule of law as its central theme.

During a central conference on ethnic affairs in September, the leaders stressed that "Unity is the lifeline of all ethnic groups," pledging more efforts to ensure leapfrog development in ethnic regions.

At a military political work conference held in a former revolutionary base in Gutian township in southeast China's Fujian Province in late October, Xi called for strengthened ideological and political work to build stronger armed forces.

Addressing authors, actors, script writers and dancers at a symposium in Beijing in mid-October, Xi said "Socialist culture and art is, in essence, the culture and art of the people." He asked the artists to learn from the people and base their creations on real lives.

ACTIVE DIPLOMACY

China reaped diplomatic harvest in 2014. On a tight schedule, Xi visited 18 countries on four continents in a total of 40-strong days.

Using the lion metaphor during his Europe tour in late March to explain China's features, Xi said the awakened China lion is a "peaceful, pleasant and civilized" creature, which has no intention to be a threat to anybody.

By rolling out new concepts and initiatives such as "the community of common destiny," "a new model of major-country relations," and a neighborhood policy featuring "amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness," Chinese leaders are forging a new diplomatic philosophy.

Meanwhile, about 50 countries along the ancient Silk Road have voiced willingness to participate in the "Belt and Road Initiative" put forward by China to foster common development.

The framework refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, proposed by Xi Jinping during his overseas visits.

The planned Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Silk Road fund set up by China will offer substantial support to the initiative.

Xie Chuntao, professor of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, said generally speaking, the public have become more confident of their future since the new CPC leadership took the helm in late 2012.

"The policies and measures put forward by the central leadership have pooled a strong sense of cohesion," Xie said.