In his second term, a politically stronger Xi Jinping will face challenges

DURING his opening address to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party on Wednesday, China's President Xi Jinping updated his vision of the "China Dream" - a concept he has championed from the start of his term in office and which captures the idea of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Elaborating on the Communist Party's priorities in a speech to some 2,300 hand-picked delegates which lasted more than three hours, Mr Xi covered a vast array of topics, including the economy, the property market, climate change and the environment, corruption, China's political model, its policy towards Hong Kong and Taiwan, and more. On domestic politics, he reiterated his party's adherence to "socialism with Chinese characteristics" - although in his vision, China would be "prosperous, strong and democratic" by 2050. He vowed to maintain the "unstoppable momentum" of his high-profile campaign against corruption. In foreign policy, he pointed out that China does not pose a threat to other countries but would not permit any undermining of its interests. He pledged China's continued commitment to fighting climate change and transforming China's own environment.

But while affirming that China "stood tall and firm in the east", he cautioned that the "China dream" would be "no walk in the park". "It will take more than drum beating and gong clanging to get there," he said.