February 22 marked the 100th day since the newly elected leadership of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) with Xi Jinping as general secretary took the helm of the world's second largest economy.

Throughout this period, the world followed the new Chinese leaders' policy statements, watched their political performance and conducted a heated discussion on the future course China, a major developing power, will take.

Overseas observers and media outlets believe that with grand goals, a well-established development path and clearly defined political strategies, the new leadership has spearheaded progress in the development of the CPC and the governance of the country.

Message 1: The goals set by the new leadership–"completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects when the CPC celebrates its centenary in 2021 and turning China into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious when the People's Republic of China marks its centennial in 2049" and "realizing the Chinese dream," are grand and realistic. As it accomplishes these goals, China will deliver benefits to its people and exert a positive influence on the world.

Over the past months, the "Chinese dream" has not only imbued the Chinese with a longing for a beautiful future, but also become a buzzword when foreign observers talk about China's future development and global influence.

Xi said the "Chinese dream" is a long-cherished wish that has been held by generations of the Chinese and a common aspiration of all of the Chinese people. Overseas observers believe by underlining the "Chinese dream," the new CPC leadership has demonstrated a strong sense of responsibility for the renewal of the nation. The accomplishment of the goals by 2021 and 2049 will raise China's development to new heights and pave the way for the realization of the "Chinese dream."

Alejandro Simonoff, an international studies expert at Argentina's National University of La Plata, said China, the world's second biggest economy, is playing a key role in international organizations such as the UN and the Group of 20. The "Chinese dream" has set for China's future development a goal that would electrify the country as a whole, he said.

In the view of Qian Feng, Vice Director of Asian Daily, a Thailand-based Chinese-language newspaper, the "Chinese Dream" is a scientific, down-to-earth ideal, rather than an impractical Utopia.

The "Chinese dream" is like a beacon that provides direction for, unites and motivates Chinese people. James Oruko, a professor at Kenya's Egerton University, said it will help the Chinese develop a positive mentality with which to accomplish even greater achievements in improving livelihoods and promoting economic growth.

The "Chinese dream" also means other countries will have more opportunities for development as they cooperate with China in a mutually beneficial manner. Jose Luis Robaina, a renowned Cuban expert on China, said a strong, independent and stable socialist China is good for the whole world.

Message 2: With full confidence in socialism with Chinese characteristics, a path that will lead to the realization of the goals, the new CPC leadership has introduced policies that are more effective and efficient as well as new ideas in advancing the reform and opening-up program and Party building.

Since taking office, Xi has reaffirmed on many occasions the importance of sticking to socialism with Chinese characteristics. International observers think the path is necessitated by the CPC's purpose and the basic system of China. The establishment of this development path has systematically answered fundamental questions such as what kind of socialism to follow in such a big developing country, how to build socialism and how to realize modernization from theoretical and practical points of view. Moreover, the path has proven to be successful.

Robaina said China has walked out of poverty and become an industrial and technological power because it has followed the socialist path.

Inacio Arruda, a Brazilian Senator from the Communist Party of Brazil, noted China, formerly a poor and backward country, has transformed itself into the world's second largest economy. The rise, in his view, is attributed to the country's adherence to socialism and the correct leadership of the CPC.

The new leaders have released a great deal of new information on reform and opening up, to which the international community has paid much attention. Soon after assuming the top CPC post, Xi visited south China's Guangdong Province, the testing ground for China's reform and opening-up policy, and made important remarks that received extensive media coverage abroad. Many foreign media outlets noted that China's reform has now entered the hardest period and a "deep-water zone," where daunting problems will become unavoidable. In the future, the country's reform will be carried out in a more systematic, integrated and coordinated way.

Yakov Berger, a senior analyst with the Institute of Far Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, said the new CPC central leadership has shown an unwavering commitment to pushing forward reform. China's future reform will be more effective, and new reform measures will impact the world on a grand scale, he said.

International media commented that the new CPC leadership not only takes a firm attitude toward improving the Party's work style, but is also committed to its words. In addition, it has a clear understanding of anti-corruption and a clean government. More importantly, it is brave enough to do tangible jobs.

The new Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee adopted an eight-point code aimed at improving the Party's work style and building a close connection with people on December 4, 2012. The code called for streamlining meetings, improving the writing style of official documents, practicing economy and downsizing entourages during visits. Foreign media reported as top CPC leaders set an example in implementing the regulations, advocating thrift and opposing extravagance have become consensus in Chinese society.

Garrison Ikiara, a lecturer of international economics at the University of Nairobi, applauded the new measures, saying as a ruling party, the CPC should be prepared for dangers in times of safety and continue to strengthen Party building.

Thomas Meyer, Vice Chairman of the Committee on Fundamental Principles of Germany's Social Democratic Party, said it is an absolute necessity for the CPC to set anti-corruption as a major task, because corruption will damage the credibility of a ruling party and weaken people's support for reform.

An article in Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao newspaper said that Xi's requirement of "confining power in a cage" has addressed the root cause of the chronic problem of corruption.

Message 3: While remaining consistent and stable in its foreign policy, the new leadership has enriched and developed its stance. Meanwhile, it tries to deal with its relationship with other big countries and neighbor countries as well as pressing international issues in a proper way. Its unswerving commitment to peaceful development is a boon to China and the rest of the world.

International observers have shown a keen interest in Xi's remarks on China's peaceful development path. In their view, the remarks not only indicate China will continue to commit itself to peaceful development and win-win cooperation, but also clarify the country's bottom line in handling foreign affairs.

Xi stressed that peaceful development is a "strategic choice" and China should be more composed strategically. At a time when the international community doubts whether China will stick to the path, Xi's unconventional statement shows the world the importance of peaceful development in China's domestic and foreign policies.

A member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Central Committee said Xi's remarks conveyed China's firm determination to seek peaceful development with other Asian countries, especially China's neighbors.

Xi said China will remain committed to the path, adding that this will not come at the expense of its legitimate rights and interests and China will never sacrifice its core interests.

The Spanish EFE news agency reported that Xi put forward China's bottom line for foreign policy, which is particularly important on issues involving the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Meanwhile, Xi said the odds of success for Beijing's strategy to rise peacefully are, in large part, determined by whether China can grasp opportunities offered by the world and whether the country's growth can provide opportunities. Many international analysts said these remarks show China will engage in a virtuous interaction with the world for win-win results with a more positive stance.

Xi's words are a testament to China's aspiration for more cooperation in the region and the world at large, said Andrew Macintyre, a professor at the Australian National University.

The new leadership's opinions on China's relations with other major powers and neighbors and hotspot issues have also attracted attention.

At a meeting with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter on December 13, 2012, Xi said China and the United States, under a new climate, should work to build a cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and benefit, while at the same time creating a new type of bilateral ties between major powers. On China's relations with Russia, Xi proposed the two countries step up political support for each other and enhance coordination on regional and international affairs.

As for what expectations they have on China's relationships with other big powers under the new CPC leadership, U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin responded enthusiastically. Obama said the energetic, frank and fruitful relations between the United States and China should be continued during his second term, which is significant to both sides. Putin said relations between China and Russia are now characterized by unprecedented trust and cooperation. The two countries coordinate stances on major international issues, and their coordination has important implications for dealing with international affairs, he added.

International observers noted that while upholding the policy of promoting friendship and partnership with China's neighbors, the new leadership particularly stresses that China will try to benefit neighboring countries as it develops itself. Le Luong Minh, ASEAN Secretary General, said given ASEAN's goal of building an economic community by 2015, cooperation between China and ASEAN in areas such as connectivity, cultural exchanges and tourism will be strengthened.

The new leadership advocates a principled approach to coping with global hotspots and sensitive issues while taking into account the overall situation of regional peace and stability. It also calls for resolving disputes through negotiations. These statements have left a deep impression on overseas observers.

On North Korea's nuclear issue, while strongly opposing nuclear tests, China stands for addressing both the root cause and symptoms of the issue and realizing denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and consultations. On the issue of the South China Sea, the Chinese side has always insisted that the Huangyan Island is China's inherent territory and there should be no disputes on its sovereignty. China agrees that differences can be resolved through bilateral talks, but refuses the Philippines' demand for international arbitration. On the issue of the East China Sea, Chinese maritime surveillance ships now patrol waters off the Diaoyu Islands on a regular basis. China demands that the Japanese side make efforts to come up with a proper way to manage and resolve the dispute through consultations.

"There is no doubt that China's new leaders face a different world than Hu Jintao, former General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, did when he took over in 2002, but chances are good that the CPC under the new leadership will be able to adapt to and meet whatever new challenges the rapidly changing domestic and international environments pose," said an article titled The Life of the Party: The Post-Democratic Future Begins in China, carried by the U.S.-based Foreign Affairs magazine earlier this year.

Things look good 100 days after new CPC leaders took power. Their performance has positively impressed the rest of the world and boosted the world's confidence in China's future.

In the years ahead, the new leaders will advance with solid steps on both domestic and international stages.