As we look ahead to 2024, we are not just anticipating the new year; we are also celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Over these decades, China has undergone a profound transformation, evolving from a nation facing extreme poverty to standing as the world’s second-largest economy. This remarkable journey is characterized by significant advancements in technological innovation, cultural development, social welfare, and ecological preservation—all of which have impacted our daily lives.
In conjunction with this milestone, CCTV’s “Learning Through Art” program has introduced the “An Upward China” series. This initiative encourages viewers to delve into this pivotal historical period through captivating illustrations. As the saying goes, “To get rich, one must first build roads.” The development of rural highways has addressed the pressing need for easy access among millions of farmers, serving as essential “catalysts” for rural revitalization.
In recent years, General Secretary Xi Jinping has highlighted the importance of rural road development, emphasizing the ongoing need for effective construction, management, maintenance, and operation of these vital infrastructures. In May 2024, he renewed his focus on this initiative, advocating for continued efforts and enhanced policies to strengthen governance capabilities. He also called for the introduction of new measures to uplift rural roads, aiming to promote the high-quality development of the “Four Good Rural Roads.”
Throughout the vast landscapes of China, these rural paths connect the aspirations and ambitions of its people, embodying the quest for agricultural modernization and the hope for a brighter future.
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