In recent years, the Chinese government has been making Herculean efforts to achieve "peak carbon dioxide emissions" and "carbon neutrality." Seizing this wave of opportunity, Zhangye in northwest China's Gansu Province has been building new energy bases including plants powered by wind power, and photovoltaic and photothermal power. [Photo/VCG]

On January 31, right after the Lunar Year of the Rabbit, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held its second collective learning session of 2023, to discuss ways and means to accelerate the construction of a new development pattern. The study session was chaired by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee. In his speech, he stressed the need to accelerate the construction of a new development pattern, which he emphasized was a strategic policy initiative essential for China to attain its second centenary goal, namely, to become a modernized, socialist country by 2049, and to coordinate national development and national security so as to proactively ensure future development. General Secretary Xi went on to say that only by accelerating the construction of a new development pattern can China solidify its foundation of economic development and enhance its security and stability to ensure further development. Only in this way, Xi observed, can China reinforce its viability, competitiveness and sustainable development in the face of whatever predictable and unpredictable storms and surging seas lie ahead. The great rejuvenation process of the Chinese nation must not be delayed or interrupted, and the goal of building a modern socialist power in all respects must be achieved successfully.