BEIJING -- Prior to International Workers' Day 2025, the Great Hall of the People in Beijing -- the heart of China's political life -- welcomed a proud assembly: over 2,000 exemplary representatives drawn from the country's vast workforce of hundreds of millions.

In a ceremony on Monday, President Xi Jinping joined technicians, judges, nurses, and farmers to recognize not only their vital contributions, but also the spirit of dedication and hard work that fuels a nation.

Hailing the honorees as exemplars of the people and pillars of the country, Xi called on citizens to draw inspiration from them -- staying grounded and working hard -- so that, step by step, they can turn the grand vision of national rejuvenation into reality.

Xi sent the message at the gathering marking the 100th anniversary of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions. It drives home a point he has long emphasized -- great dreams are not achieved by waiting or chanting slogans; they are earned through hard work and determination.

A LEADER FORGED THROUGH HARD WORK

Xi's respect for hard work is built on his own past.

In 1969, just shy of 16, Xi arrived at Liangjiahe, a rugged village on the arid Loess Plateau in northwest China, to work the fields alongside the farmers who called the rural community home.

He took on nearly every kind of task, but spent an especially large number of hours on one in particular: building the dams by compacting the earth layer by layer with heavy stone pounders.

Xi threw himself into the labor. Day one left his hands blistered; day two saw them bleeding. Still, he kept working without complaint.

"What a fine lad," remarked the locals.

The hard work did not end when Xi was elected Party chief of Liangjiahe in 1974. He rolled up his sleeves and led villagers in digging wells, building terraced fields, and installing biogas pits -- gradually transforming the community.

Living and working alongside the farmers for seven years, Xi grew from a slightly bewildered teenager into a man determined to serve the people.

"Most importantly," he later said, "I learned from my fellow farmers the values of respecting facts and working hard with perseverance."

Those formative years left an indelible mark on Xi, shaping the strong work ethic that has been his character either as village Party chief or general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

He works tirelessly, juggling domestic meetings, inspections and overseas visits -- his schedule always packed to the brim.

In a rare reflective moment during a foreign media interview, Xi was asked about life as China's leader. His candid reply laid bare his sacrifice. "My personal time? It's all consumed by work," he said. "Entrusted by the people ... I must put them first, serving with unwavering diligence."

MODEL WORKERS AS STARS

"What a galaxy of stars," Xi said at a conference room ahead of International Workers' Day in 2013.

By a "galaxy of stars," he was referring to the 65 role models before him, those honored for their hard work in their industries over the past decades.

Liang Jun, one of the earliest model workers, recounted how she helped turn northeast China's barren land into a national granary.

After listening to Liang's story, Xi told the then 84-year-old lady, "Your deeds are well known to our generation. As the first female tractor driver in China, you are truly remarkable."

As a leader who emerged from the ranks of the working people, Xi not only respects them but is also committed to ensuring that their needs are met.

Since Xi took the helm of China in 2012, the country has introduced more measures, laws and regulations to safeguard workers' rights and interests.

Moreover, Xi often visits workers during domestic inspection tours to personally assess their working and living conditions.

In 2023, he inspected a residential community in Shanghai built to house workers such as construction laborers, delivery drivers and sanitation staff.

He stepped into their homes and shared facilities -- public kitchens, laundries -- and spoke with them to understand their living conditions firsthand.

"Migrant workers, who come to contribute to Shanghai, are equally the city's masters," he stressed. "It is our responsibility to ensure they can arrive, settle down, live comfortably, and thrive here."

INVESTMENT IN SKILLS FOR THE FUTURE

At Monday's celebration ceremony, Xi underscored the importance of adapting to the new wave of technological and industrial transformation and enhancing the workforce's capabilities.

"High-quality development cannot be achieved without high-quality work and innovation," he said.

This resonates with his consistent emphasis on the crucial role of skilled talent in advancing the manufacturing sector.

Over the years, Xi's passion for craftsmanship has taken him to factory floors across the country, where he encouraged engineers, technicians and workers to hone their skills and push boundaries.

"Times may change and missions may shift, but the spirit of hard work, unity, and unyielding effort should never change," he said at Monday's ceremony.