--By Qi Weiping, Tenured Professor, Doctorial Tutor and Dean of the Politics Department at East China Normal University

National rejuvenation and socialist modernization serve as the two primary elements of the Chinese Dream. These two elements, from a historical perspective, evidence the nation's struggle to achieve a renaissance after it experienced prosperity and then a fall. From the First Opium War (British invasion of China) in 1840 to the founding of the PRC in 1949, national independence and unity have been a consistent wish of the Chinese people.

Since 1949, national prosperity, public well-being and social stability have been desires of contemporary Chinese people. These wishes embody the Chinese Dream with respect to national rejuvenation and socialist modernization. It took a century to stand back up after a historical tumble, and it will take another 100 years to achieve lasting prosperity and strength. The Chinese Dream against the backdrop of two centuries of wishing composes the modern drive of the nation. From a global context, the Chinese Dream represents the diversity of the world civilization. Capitalism uncovered the road to modernization, but the next road has yet to be discovered. China's national rejuvenation is closely connected to modernization. The Chinese people can build a modern country through creative exploration of the socialist path. Historical and global contexts illuminate the duality of the Chinese Dream.

Firstly, a nation that experienced prosperity before decline can rise once again. Secondly, modernization can be realized through socialism. The realization of the Chinese Dream is a journey through successive efforts and overcoming adversity to realize national rejuvenation and socialist modernization. Amidst varying global trends and China's rapid social development, the realization of the Chinese Dream will certainly encounter numerous problems that developed countries did not face. Overcoming these hardships and achieving the Chinese Dream will require the wisdom and capability of the Chinese people.

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