Abstract
In November 2012, soon after the conclusion of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), President Xi Jinping put forward for the first time the idea of the ‘Chinese Dream’. In March 2013, Xi further elaborated on this concept at the closing ceremony of the First Session of the 12th National People’s Congress. Xi’s concept of the Chinese Dream involves better education, more stable employment, higher incomes, a greater degree of social security, better medical and health care, improved housing conditions, a better environment, satisfactory jobs and better lives for the Chinese people. In foreign affairs, Xi emphasised that the Chinese Dream stands for peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit for all. These are all unexceptional sentiments that could have been expressed by any national leader and thus few would disagree with Xi’s laudable thoughts. But what is the position on the ground and how is China faring under Xi Jinping’s rule in the achievement of these goals?
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