China's road to rejuvenation filled with flowers and thorns

Every event will be gone eventually, but some of them are bound to go down in history.

What events in 2012 left the deepest impression on you?

2012 is undoubtedly a crucial year for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

There are both happy and sad events in China this year.

China's road to glory is filled with flowers and thorns.

China has obtained a proper and rational understanding of success and tough problems this year.

China's international influence has further increased this year.

The 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China may influence China's next five years or even longer period.

What is the most representative event in China in 2012?

For most people, the answer is the 18th CPC National Congress.

Hu Jintao delivered a report to the 18th CPC National Congress on the morning of Nov. 8, highlighting such concepts as "a beautiful China," "doubling the people's income," "building a comprehensively well-off society," and "confidence in the Party's path."

The new CPC leadership led by Xi Jinping, new general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, made a collective public appearance at a press conference a week later.

Xi's three speeches as the Party's new leader have attracted extensive attention from both domestic and foreign media organizations. His first speech is about "the people's livelihoods," the second is about "Chinese dreams," and the third is about "governing the country according to the constitution."

The 18th CPC National Congress and the words and deeds of the new CPC leadership have attracted worldwide attention. The 18th CPC National Congress will influence the future of China for five years or even longer.

Some people noticed the concept of "beautiful China" in the report to the national congress, realizing that ecology and environmental protection-related industries are facing new development opportunities. Others noticed the central government's plans for doubling the people's income and ensuring fairness in education. The words and deeds of the new leadership have also shown the world their pragmatism.

Mo Yan wins Nobel Prize in Literature

A villager's 'Chinese dreams'

What is the brightest event in China in 2012?

Mo Yan, a Chinese writer born in Gaomi city in east China's Shandong province, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in October 2012. The low-profile storyteller who loves dumplings gained great popularity in Sweden thanks to his Nobel win.

There is no doubt that certain foreign scholars will shift their attention to the works of Chinese writers. In fact, Mo had long been famous abroad due to the adaptation of his Red Sorghum Clan and other novels, but his works had not gained global popularity until they were translated by first-class translators.

China has stressed cultural consciousness, self-confidence, and self-reliance, and made great efforts to promote its cultural industry in recent years. Mo's Nobel win is refreshing and encouraging, but also shows that lack of top translators is a major bottleneck for the overseas publicity of Chinese culture.

Two island disputes

What is the most worrisome event for the Chinese people in 2012?

Territorial sovereignty concerns a country's dignity. The South China Sea and East China Sea have been particularly rough this year, with the disputes over the Diaoyu and Huangyan islands gripping the attention of hundreds of millions of Chinese.

China pursues peace, but has taken a series of firm measures, including establishing the city of Sansha, putting related oil and gas fields out to tender, issuing the white paper on the Diaoyu Islands, and sending ocean surveillance and fishery administration ships to patrol disputed waters, to hit back at deliberate provocations and defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The two island disputes remain unresolved, and there may be more similar disputes in the future. China should be fully prepared for various scenarios, take the initiative, and find a dynamic balance. Chinese diplomats should improve themselves in the process of solving various disputes.

Government micro-blogs

'Micro-power' profoundly changing China

What is the most amazing event in China in 2012?

A domestic media outlet named "wei" (meaning micro in English) the Chinese character of 2012. Micro-blogging is becoming increasingly popular, and is profoundly changing the public opinion ecology. A growing number of media outlets and government agencies have opened micro-blog accounts, which is conducive to equal and effective communication among the government, the media, and the public.

It is hard to define or summarize this year in such a short article.

However, it is certain that 2012 has been a historic year due to one significant event after another.