General Secretary’s trip to Fujian and Anhui｜Reporter’s Notes- Only by fighting hard can you win.

During his recent visit to Fujian, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized the spirit of “daring to be the first and working hard to win.” While in Hefei, Anhui, he quoted the phrase: “How many opportunities are there in life to strive?”

The theme of hard work encapsulates Xi’s visits to Fujian and Anhui. His first stop was Dongshan Island, a butterfly-shaped isle at the confluence of the East China Sea and the South China Sea.

Along the lengthy coastline, rows of Casuarina trees stand tall against the wind, their dark green needles seemingly narrating the island’s transformation over time. On the afternoon of the 15th, in the southeastern corner of Dongshan Island, village chief Lin Huazhong pointed to the sea, describing two uniquely shaped islands to the General Secretary. “Close by is Tiger Island, resembling a fierce tiger; further off is Dragon Island, resembling a giant dragon.”

The ocean, with its ebb and flow, inspires ambition and determination among people. The once wind-swept island that struggled due to its coastal location has now evolved into an ecological haven thriving on the sea. From the bustling Boulevard in Ao’jiao village to the fishing port, rows of guesthouses and fishing boats dot the landscape. The gentle sea breeze carries the fresh scent of seafood, including local delicacies like Ba Lang fish and Lantian crabs. The villagers have diversified their livelihoods, transitioning from traditional fishing to modern ventures in aquaculture and seafood marketing.

At the seafood market by the dock, locals shared their stories of the ocean’s bounty with the General Secretary. Recalling his time in Fujian, he expressed, “I always believed our islands had great potential for development. It’s about leveraging our natural resources—eating from the mountains and the seas.”

Local fishermen, who once made their living in humble boats, are now thriving in various sectors, from fishing to creating seaside accommodations and engaging in e-commerce. Under the sun and with the sea breeze at their backs, the villagers received encouragement from Xi to continue writing their own stories of maritime prosperity and to advance down the path of rural revitalization and common prosperity.

The transformation of “Butterfly Island” reflects a region in evolution, with Xiamen, the location of Xi’s first official role in Fujian, serving as a testament to his practical governance learning. “I was excited to come to Xiamen, eager to experiment with reform and openness,” he reminisced.

At that time, Xiamen was at a pivotal point of development, seeking ways to accelerate its Special Economic Zone initiatives. Over the years, Xiamen has evolved from an economic zone to a free trade zone. On the morning of the 16th, Xi visited the Xiamen Free Trade Zone, reviewing an exhibition on its successes.

The exhibition, with its wave-like backdrop, reflected the dynamic history of reform and opening up, showcasing the pioneering achievements of the Xiamen Free Trade Zone. Among the exhibits was a book authored by Xi, outlining the development strategy for Xiamen from 1985 to 2000. As he thumbed through the pages, memories of the hard-fought early days of economic reform came flooding back.

“I was once one of the special zone pioneers,” he stated, summarizing the “Xiamen spirit” as one of resilience, innovation, inclusion, and harmony. “We need to adhere to our vision, and each generation of ‘special zone people’ continues to stand at the forefront of reform.”

Reflecting on current developments in Xiamen, Xi expressed satisfaction, noting, “Seeing today’s Xiamen brings us joy. We participated in its early establishment, and its current progress exceeds what we could have imagined.”

The remarkable journey of reform and innovation continues, especially in Anhui’s Hefei, which has recently emerged as a vibrant hub for technology and innovation. Over two decades ago, Hefei was languishing far down the economic ranks, but it has now climbed into the top 20.

Xi has visited Hefei three times since the 18th National Congress, focusing on the key to its ongoing development. During his visit to the Hefei Binhu Science City, he explored major technological innovations.

The exhibition showcased breakthroughs in various fields including new energy vehicles, advanced display technologies, artificial intelligence, and quantum science. Xi paused to closely examine each exhibit, noting the impressive advancements. “This can be a whole new level of achievement,” he remarked, encouraging the researchers and business leaders present.

“Advancing modernization in China requires a strong focus on technology. Scientific innovation is the path forward,” he urged, inspiring applause and determination among the attendees.

The transformation of local landscapes reflects a shift in mindset. While natural resources are vital, they are not the sole determinants of progress. During his visit to Dongshan, Xi also toured a memorial for Gu Wenchang, where an inscription resonated powerfully: “We communists cannot be slaves to nature or resign ourselves to fate. Even with poor natural conditions, we will still build socialism here!”

A poignant story recounted by a guide illustrated this resilience: In 1958, Gu led the locals in trying to cultivate Casuarina trees. A late spring cold snap nearly wiped out their efforts, but Gu saw hope in the nine trees that survived. “If there are nine, there can be nine hundred, nine thousand, or even ninety thousand!”

This ethos underscores the belief that great achievements stem from arduous journeys: “Only through challenges do greatness shine.” As the towering Casuarina trees sway in the wind and the boundless sea stretches beyond, the unstoppable momentum of this era continues.