Chinese President Xi Jinping’s speech at the gathering commemorating the 40th anniversary of the reform and opening-up has inspired many ordinary Chinese people to continue reform and opening-up.

Lin Shujin, a doctorate student from Xi’an Jiaotong University, used to work with rural farmers in Pingli County, northwest China’s Shaanxi province, to help them promote their agricultural products.

Lin was inspired by President Xi’s remarks on poverty relief.“I’m very much willing to help more people with my marketing skills and join the battle against poverty,” he said.

Xia Qiang, a hepatobiliary surgery director at Renji Hospital in Shanghai, also found strength in Xi’s speech.

“President Xi said we should put people first and work to realize their wishes for a better life. This is in line with our principle at work,” Xia said, adding: “Ordinary people have raised the bar on hygiene and we should continue to improve our technology and services to help more people.”

For Yeshe Zangpo, a university student at Xizang Minzu University in southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, the most impressive part of Xi’s speech was his words about the progress made in the nation’s education system.

“Specifically, the education results in Tibet are outstanding. For years, we’ve enjoyed 15 years of free compulsory education to help students make it to high school. Coupled with the other supporting policies, it’s no longer a dream for our students to go to school,” Zangpo said.