Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a New Year message on Friday, outlining his vision for 2016 which included a blueprint for development in the next five years and a significant package to lift tens of millions of people out of poverty.

In his New Year speech, Xi called on all government officials to exert more effort and to work hard to build a 'well-off society in an all-round way' and help China's impoverished citizens.

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President Xi  said easing the lives of tens of millions of marginalized people will be his top priority this year in line with the Communist Party's pro-poor agenda, which was tackled during a meeting in October 2015.

Xi rallied all members of the Party and government officials to jointly take on the gargantuan task of improving the condition of poor Chinese people who are mostly living in disaster-prone rural areas.

"We should care for all people facing difficulties ... making them feel warm from the bottom of their hearts," Xi said.

In the same speech, Xi said he expects to see China being more involved in international conferences and affairs, emphasizing the world seeks the country's answers and voices on a gamut of issues that affect the globe.

The President expressed his deep concern for people affected by war and hardship saying that offering sympathy and compassion is not enough. He underscored the need for China to take responsibility and action in helping out these people victimized by war and poverty.

"China will always welcome the world with an open embrace, and we will also extend our hand to those in difficulty as best as we can, and our 'circle of friends' will grow," Xi said.

Xi said China's leaders played an active role in international conferences and talks in 2015, contributing significantly to the 2030 United Nations global agenda in addressing climate change.

He called on the leaders of the world to unite for peace and work together in a 'spirit of cooperation.'

"By turning antagonism to synergy, hostility to friendship, together we will forge a community of shared destiny for all humankind," the President said.

Tagsvision for 2016, President Xi's New Year message, tens of millions of poor Chinese citizens