China marked the Dragon Boat Festival, a day dedicated to commemorating the influential figure of Qu Yuan, whose legacy of patriotism and perseverance has resonated with the country and its people for thousands of years.
Qu Yuan, a loyal statesman and patriotic poet during the Warring States Period (475 B.C.-221 B.C.), faced exile by the king of Chu, disregarding Qu’s policy advice. Devastated by the news of rival forces seizing Chu’s capital, Qu made the heart-wrenching decision to end his own life by plunging into the Miluo River while holding a heavy stone.
Upon hearing of Qu’s tragic death, local people rushed to their boats to search for his body. Over time, this act evolved into the tradition of dragon boat racing, a millennia-old practice that serves as a tribute to the esteemed poet.
Throughout his life, Qu composed numerous poems expressing his love and concern for his country and its people. Among his most famous lines is “Long as the way is, I will keep on searching high and low,” which embodies his unwavering spirit of exploration.
This renowned verse has been recited by generations of Chinese people, including President Xi Jinping, who is also the general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
In 2016, President Xi quoted Qu’s line during a ceremony marking the 95th founding anniversary of the CPC, urging all Party members to uphold the Party’s tradition of struggle, demonstrate courage, and embrace change and innovation in the face of ongoing historical tests.
President Xi’s utilization of Qu’s impassioned verses serves as an inspiration to the entire Party and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, motivating them to embody the poet’s enduring legacy and confront challenges through reform and innovation.
This spirit of mission and the determination to overcome obstacles in pursuit of goals can be observed across various fields.
For instance, in the realm of reform, President Xi has called for courageous action combined with steady progress to ensure the successful advancement of reforms.
In the battle against poverty, President Xi has led the Party and the people in a relentless fight against all odds, lifting around 98.99 million rural individuals out of poverty in a span of approximately eight years.
To address technological bottlenecks, President Xi has emphasized the need to achieve breakthroughs in core technologies within key sectors. Through a decade of dedicated efforts, China climbed to the 11th position in the Global Innovation Index 2022, marking a significant jump of 23 places since 2012.
Regarding the economy, President Xi has spearheaded the shift from high-speed to high-quality development. This strategic exploration has yielded impressive results, with China’s per capita GDP reaching 12,741 U.S. dollars in 2022, nearing the level of high-income countries.
“The spirit of Qu Yuan not only profoundly influenced China’s past but also holds great value for the country’s present,” remarked Zheng Jiaming, a professor at the College of History and Culture at Hunan Normal University. “It is a universal spirit that will endure for eternity.”
President Xi has also invoked Qu’s words when addressing a global audience. At the CPC and World Political Parties Summit in 2021, he affirmed that with national rejuvenation and the progress of humanity in mind, the CPC will lead the Chinese people in their determined pursuit to “search high and low” and create an even brighter future for all.
