Thirty years ago, Li Bin, a technical school graduate, began work as an apprentice in a hydraulic pump manufacturing factory in Shanghai, aiming to become skilled worker.
Through hard work and dedication, Li has become chief technician of Shanghai Electric Group Co. Ltd, one of the country's largest diversified equipment manufacturing companies.
"Chinese workers are no longer simple laborers with mere strength. They are turning into industrial workers with knowledge, skills and wisdom," said Li, a deputy of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC), the national legislature.
According to Li, to build a strong nation needs industrial competitiveness throughout the world, which inspires him. He found further inspiration from the government work report delivered by Premier Wen Jiabao at the ongoing annual session of the NPC on Tuesday.
Wen said with added-value growing at an average annual rate of 13.4 percent during the past five years, high-tech manufacturing has become a leading pillar of the economy.
The progress within the high-tech manufacturing sector is allowing people to reach their dreams.
The catchword "Chinese dream" has encouraged individual Chinese people from all walks of life to contribute to the national goal. Top leader Xi Jinping interpreted the "Chinese dream" as the great rejuvenation of the nation in November.
After more than 30 years of rapid development along with reform and opening up, Chinese people believe they are closer to realizing the great national dream, which was initially put forward about a century ago.
But there is still some way to go.
"China's hydraulic equipment production needs more technological innovations. Only when the overall industrial technological strength reaches advanced levels can our country's precision machinery industry be first class in the world," said Li.
What makes Chinese people feel proud is the country's manned space program. China successfully sent Yang Liwei, the country's first astronaut, into orbit on Shenzhou-5 spacecraft in 2003.
The successes in the manned space program in recent years have inspired Chinese people to devote themselves to the nation's rejuvenation.
Lei Yi'an, a second-year postgraduate at Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, was excited when hearing that the country's new spacecraft will be launched sometime between June and August.
The 24-year-old appreciates the hardworking spirit and successes of the country's first generation researchers in this area, who worked under poor conditions.
Read more:
Special report: Exploring the 2013 NPC & CPPCC sessions
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