The 8th National Congress of Chinese Young Pioneers opened in Beijing on July 23. President Xi Jinping sent his congratulations, encouraging children to strive for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Vice-Premier Sun Chunlan, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, addressed the meeting.

Sun spoke highly of the role of Chinese Young Pioneers in promoting the healthy growth of children over the past decades, and praised their good spirits during the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic.

Furthermore, she expressed hopes for the young pioneers. First, children should cherish their hard-won happy life, and love their country, the people, and the Communist Party of China. Second, they should develop well-rounded abilities in areas such as morality, intelligence, physical fitness, work and aesthetics, and actively take part in work practice to experience life. Third, the young pioneers should always be prepared to strive for a brighter future of the country. Noting that the happy life at present is achieved through strenuous efforts by the people under the guidance of the Party, the vice-premier said that she hoped the Chinese young pioneers can cherish it and establish lofty ideals that are closely related to the country and the people.

She also hoped that young pioneers organizations at all levels can improve their ability to unite, educate, lead and serve the children, making greater contributions to cultivating the next generation for the country.

She also mentioned special care for some groups of children. Party committees and governments at all levels should increase policy support for quality education and pay close attention to rural left-behind children and disabled children, Sun said.