Youth’s Friend Xi Jinping

“I care about young people wherever I go.” Since his youth on the Loess Plateau in northern Shaanxi, General Secretary Xi Jinping has always cared about, cared for, and listened to young people, and he has been a confidant, enthusiastic person, and guide for young friends.

Inspired by the General Secretary's sincere concern and sincere expectations, hundreds of millions of Chinese youth have worked hard and dedicatedly to drive the rejuvenation of the nation with the vitality of youth and write the future of the country with the brilliance of youth.

Intimate: "The General Secretary communicates with everyone like a big friend"

"Youth are the future of the country and the hope of the nation." In the heart of General Secretary Xi Jinping, youth have always occupied an important position.

On the eve of the May 4th Youth Day in 2016, the General Secretary came to the University of Science and Technology of China for an inspection and went into the library to visit the students who were studying on their own.

"Do you think the atmosphere is good when you study in the library? Do you need to come early to get a seat?" "Where are you from? Are your parents safe coming to Hefei to go to college alone?" "I feel deeply about going to the western region to teach for a year, right? ? Rural children never forget their original intentions.”…

The general secretary is like an elder in the family and a caring friend, giving meticulous care to the students.

When we walked out of the library, the farewell teachers and students crowded both sides of the road. The general secretary walked among everyone in the rain and shook hands one by one. More than ten minutes passed, and the rain had already wet the general secretary's clothes and shoes. The young students present recalled that scene and said with emotion: "The general secretary's hands are warm and strong, giving people strength."

"The General Secretary is so humble, peaceful, kind and kind" "There is no sense of distance from us at all" "There is no leadership airs or 'official talk', but he communicates with everyone like a big friend"... He is approachable and cordial time and time again. The equal interaction makes countless young people feel warm.

At the National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory of the University of Science and Technology of China, Professor Cui Kunpeng, a member of the Anhui Advanced Functional Polymer Thin Film Engineering Laboratory team, communicated with students. Photo by reporter Zhang Duan

Participating in the theme group day event of China University of Political Science and Law, the General Secretary shook hands with the students standing in two rows, and no one was left behind; some students sat behind the General Secretary, "When the General Secretary listened to my speech, he turned around and looked I'm here".

After the exchange with teachers and students of the School of Marxism at Peking University, some students asked the General Secretary if they could take a group photo. The general secretary enthusiastically agreed, and thoughtfully arranged them in a formation according to their height, and asked the photographer "if everyone has their faces exposed."

"Respect the nature of young people, take care of their characteristics, and often go among young people to have close contact and face-to-face communication with them." The General Secretary is considerate and full of meticulous care and love.

Students listen to a lecture on the theme of China Space Day in the Aerospace Hall of Harbin Institute of Technology. Photo by reporter Xie Jianfei

In September 2009, Xi Jinping, then member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice President of the People's Republic of China, visited Harbin Institute of Technology and had cordial discussions with students. The conference room was full. When he saw many students gathered outside the door, he said, "Come in, classmates, and stand behind."

While the students stood listening, he stood and spoke - this detail was engraved in the hearts of every student present.

After listening to student representatives tell the stories of many classmates with financial difficulties who were self-reliant through work-study studies, Xi Jinping shared his experience of working during the day and reading at night when he was an educated youth in Liangjiahe: "People should suffer more when they are young. Only by going through more hardships can you achieve a "rebirth" in life and achieve the effect of inspirational success. "

When talking face to face, he said humorously, "I am very willing to 'talk about the mountains' with our classmates"; during impromptu conversations, he said affectionately, "Telling you these few words is also a heart-to-heart talk with my classmates"; in the short and affectionate letters, Signed with "Your Comrade Xi Jinping"... heartfelt words to shorten the distance with young people.

In August 1984, about 20 regular college students from Hebei University who returned home for the summer received a special invitation—Xi Jinping, then Secretary of the Zhengding County Party Committee, invited them to have a discussion with the County Party Committee.

When he received the news, Zhai Yuhu, a sophomore, was busy working in the fields. The scene from that year was still fresh in his memory.

"You are the pride of the people of the whole county." Xi Jinping said after everyone took their seats at the symposium, "College students are active in thinking and dare to tell the truth. I hope you will speak enthusiastically without any worries and contribute more ideas to the county."

The sincere and frank words inspired the college students present, and everyone spoke freely with excitement. There is one detail that Zhai Yuhu will never forget: Xi Jinping specifically asked, "If you have any good suggestions in the future, you can write to the county party committee, or you can write to me directly."

At the end of the symposium, Xi Jinping stood up and said emotionally: "Welcome all the students here to come back and build our hometown with us. When you come back, I welcome you with both hands!"

"That discussion became the star of my life, guiding me to move forward step by step." Zhai Yuhu said that from then on, he felt that he had an extra responsibility and mission on his shoulders.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, we have held symposiums with outstanding young representatives from all walks of life to discuss the Chinese Dream; we have hosted symposiums with grassroots representatives to listen to the opinions and suggestions of "post-90s" rural entrepreneurs and "post-95s" migrant workers; we have held talks with students on university campuses They took an ideological and political class together and participated in discussions... General Secretary Xi Jinping is always willing to listen to the voices of young people and respond to their expectations.

"Become a close friend of young people who is willing to tell the truth, make sincere friendships, and express true feelings." This is exactly the way General Secretary Xi Jinping communicates with young friends.

Enthusiasm: “The General Secretary holds the dreams, work and life of young people in his heart”

"For the party and the country, young people are the most worthy of love and expectation." The thoughts, worries and hopes of young people are all the concerns of General Secretary Xi Jinping.

In December 2014, General Secretary Xi Jinping came to the Hengqin Campus of the University of Macau. A salon event with the theme of "Chinese Traditional Culture and Contemporary Youth" is being held here.

"Don't be nervous, everyone, speak freely." General Secretary Xi Jinping joined in happily. "I will listen to everyone's discussion first, and then talk about your learning experience."

Han Xingyun, a student at the University of Macau who has studied folk music since childhood, deeply feels that some ancient folk music scores have been lost, and unpopular instruments are even more neglected. She was the first to speak, describing her confusion: "How can Macao youth carry forward national music?"

In this regard, General Secretary Xi Jinping shared his feelings about watching the cultural gala celebrating the 15th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland the night before, and encouraged: "The performance of the Macao Chinese Orchestra is of high quality" and "Macao has a soil for folk music, and contemporary young people must be literate Consciousness and cultural self-confidence”.

"I myself am also an ardent supporter of Chinese culture and a loyal learner." General Secretary Xi Jinping talked about his own learning experience. He has been reading Chinese cultural classics since he was a teenager and developed the habit of "opening books is beneficial". Nowadays, he still " With a book in hand, the joy is endless."

From the General Secretary’s youth story, Han Xingyun found the answer to build cultural confidence and draw nutrition and strength from China’s excellent traditional culture.

Whenever he communicates with young people, the General Secretary is like an old classmate or a big friend, imparting experience and giving thoughtful guidance.

Speaking of the "purpose of learning", the General Secretary proposed "to give back the knowledge learned to the society, to be a useful person to the society, and to do something useful to the society";

Talking about "how to behave", the general secretary pointed out that "a very important thing for young people is to learn to be principled people, to have a kind of ethics, and to set some rules for themselves";

Discussing "how to aspire", the general secretary exhorted to "pursue excellence while climbing the heights of knowledge, actions speak louder than words when shouldering the important responsibilities of the times, and accomplish a career through hard work with real swords and guns";

“The general secretary’s language is plain and sincere”, “his views are very insightful, thoughtful and positive”, “humorous” and “very knowledgeable”... The general secretary’s words and deeds are like spring breeze and rain, giving young people For enlightenment and enlightenment.

Young people are in the initial stage of life and are inevitably faced with growing pains. Well aware of the pressure and difficulties faced by young people, the General Secretary always pays attention to the "critical points" and "critical moments" of young people's growth.

At the large-scale employment negotiation meeting for 2024 graduates held by Tsinghua University, an employer recruiter communicated with job-seeking graduates. Photo by reporter Ju Huanzong

In June 2022, General Secretary Xi Jinping, who was inspecting Sichuan, came to Yibin University. In the Qiushi Auditorium, a corporate recruitment seminar is going on.

"Let me hear how you recruit." General Secretary Xi Jinping asked the company leaders about their recruitment needs one by one, and also asked the students about their employment intentions and job search progress in detail. "What majors do they study? Where do they want to work?" "

Liu Jiang, who was about to graduate, told the general secretary that he had served in the military. The general secretary praised: "It's a good experience to have this experience. This is how steel is made."

"The General Secretary said, 'This is how steel is made,' and 'College students should have a plain heart when seeking employment,' which deeply inspired me." Liu Jiang, who has now become an engineer, studies and accumulates on the ground, and constantly refines and improves his professional skills. .

From firm belief and self-cultivation, to study and career choice, innovation and struggle... The General Secretary has a deep understanding of the characteristics and laws of contemporary youth's growth and success, and uses words that young people can understand and listen to to provide guidance and direction for youth development.

"Many college student village officials are now 30 years old. We all have to get married and have children, but our current income can hardly support these dreams that may seem ordinary to others." "After the service period is over, what is our way out? "The issues we are struggling with"... At the deliberation site of the Guangdong delegation at the National Two Sessions in 2014, facing General Secretary Xi Jinping, Xian Runxia, ​​a college student village official born in the 1980s, revealed her heart.

After listening to Xian Runxia's speech, the general secretary responded on the spot: "We must care about the work and life of college student village officials, including marriage and love issues, and create conditions for them to take root at the grassroots level and realize their dreams."

Soon, Guangdong Province studied and formulated a training and mobility mechanism for college student village officials, and Guangzhou City organized a dating and dating platform... "I didn't expect the general secretary to care so carefully. He took the dreams, work, and lives of young people into his heart." Come on." Xian Runxia said.

“We must do everything possible to do practical things and solve problems for young people.” General Secretary Xi Jinping’s meticulous care for young people has always been consistent.

While in Fuzhou, Xi Jinping concurrently served as the president of Minjiang Vocational University. Driven by his concern, the school admitted the armless student Huang Daoliang. For Huang Daoliang, who finally realized his dream after three college entrance examinations, it was "no less than a rebirth";

At the deliberation site of the Hunan delegation at the National Two Sessions in 2016, the General Secretary was very pleased to learn that the older male youths in Shibadong Village had made new progress in "escaping from single life";

During an inspection in Shanghai in 2023, when he heard that young migrant workers lived well in rental housing communities and wanted to "set up a home here," the General Secretary said happily: "Great! Take root, settle down, and develop";

At the Tianjin Youth Palace, students practice aerobic dance at the Youth Night School. Photo by reporter Zhao Zishuo

"The general secretary understands young people, understands them, knows what we think and hope, and gives us the strength to forge ahead." This is the common aspiration of contemporary youth.

Thoughtful: "The General Secretary is our learning model and life mentor"

"Everything in life must be done by oneself, and one step at a time will lead to nothing." The pursuit of progress is the most precious trait of young people. On the way forward, General Secretary Xi Jinping is the most steadfast guide for young people.

"Marxism is not a study in a study." To this day, Fan Jingrong, a staff member of the United Front Work Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, still remembers General Secretary Xi Jinping’s instructions.

On the eve of the May 4th Youth Day in 2018, at the "Interpretation of the New Era" reading seminar at the School of Marxism at Peking University, facing young students, General Secretary Xi Jinping recounted the process of establishing his faith when he was young: By being down-to-earth in the grassroots years , personal practice, by doing practical things for the people and seeking benefits, I deeply realized that Marxism can not only scientifically solve many practical problems, but also a true knowledge with the mission of improving people's well-being and creating an ideal society.

Listening to the General Secretary's important speech on the spot, Fan Jingrong was deeply shocked and educated. After graduating from Peking University, Fan Jingrong chose to work as a college student "village official" in Yufeng Village, Yufengshan Town, Yubei District, Chongqing for three years, practicing her faith in the warm countryside.

Students visit the "Road to the Lecture Hall" exhibition at Peking University. Photo by reporter Wang Xiang

"If you don't learn from others, you will get close to others." Example is the power of action.

After listening to General Secretary Xi Jinping’s heart-felt thoughts on his pursuit of knowledge, Zhang Hongliang, then a 21-year-old economics student at Xiamen University, understood that “you should read the original Marxist works that are thick and thin, and read the thin ones that are thick.” As "a way of life", young party members and cadres should overcome problems in learning and "always practice, practice, enlighten and advance"...

"Hello, senior!" In April 2021, Tsinghua University, which is about to celebrate its 110th anniversary, welcomed the arrival of General Secretary Xi Jinping with youthful vigor and overwhelming enthusiasm.

Although it has been three years, the scenes of face-to-face with the general secretary are still deeply engraved in the mind of Song Kexin, a graduate student in the School of Social Sciences of Tsinghua University.

"The General Secretary recalled his experience when he was studying at Tsinghua University and encouraged everyone to adhere to the comprehensive development of morality, intelligence, physical education, art and labor." Song Kexin still remembered that after learning that she was selected for the Chinese women's basketball team preparing for the Tokyo Olympics, the General Secretary asked her cordially Her grade, major, and position on the field, and she also said that she "will always pay attention" to her.

"This is not only the leader's expectations for the young people, but also the care the seniors have for the juniors." Every time she thinks of the general secretary's kind instructions, Song Kexin feels that she has endless energy in her heart.

"Working hard with the people, moving forward with the motherland, serving the people and dedicating themselves to the motherland is the right direction for contemporary Chinese youth." General Secretary Xi Jinping bestowed this hope on Chinese youth in the new era.

In March 2024, in the lingering spring rain, General Secretary Xi Jinping walked into Hunan First Normal University.

This is Hunan First Normal College taken by drone on March 18, 2024. Photo by reporter Xue Yuge

In the school hall, Li Jie, a junior from the School of Mathematics and Statistics, stepped forward to report her study experience to the General Secretary, expressing her ambition to "cherish youth, live up to it, and strive to be a college student in the new era." General Secretary Xi Jinping nodded in encouragement.

Facing the young faces, the General Secretary encouraged: "Our country is comprehensively promoting the construction of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation with Chinese-style modernization. It is the right time for contemporary young students."

"There is an unswerving power in the general secretary's words that infects us and leads us forward." Li Jie said.

Grasp the direction of the times and require that "the majority of young people must bravely shoulder the important responsibilities entrusted by the times"; point out the direction of progress and guide young people to "integrate their life ideals into the cause of the country and the nation"; place high expectations and encourage "Chinese youth in the new era to obey the party We must follow the party, care for the country and the people, and be patriotic."...

"The General Secretary is attentive to us", "The General Secretary is always thinking about the youth", "The General Secretary is our leader"... In the minds of the majority of young people, General Secretary Xi Jinping is not only the leader of the entire party and the people of the country, but also a friend of young people and young people. division. Contained in the general secretary’s affectionate message to the young people is the infinite expectation for the party and the country’s eternal achievements.