During a recent interview, President Xi Jinping highlighted a key principle for achieving success: “To reach great aspirations, one must also pay attention to the finer details.” He emphasized that the direction of work and projects must be correct, with clear priorities and appropriate strategies, while also being diligent in the details. This means effectively combining political, economic, macro, micro, strategic, and tactical elements. He warned against the “devil in the details” that can undermine the overall vision.

This concept of balancing the “big picture” with the “small details” is not only profound but also serves as an important methodology for advancing reform and development. The historical achievements made in the comprehensive deepening of reforms in the new era can largely be attributed to the insistence on this principle of marrying expansive goals with meticulous execution.

As the saying goes, those who don’t consider the overall picture are ill-equipped to address specific areas. The pursuit of “great aspirations” serves as a foundation for the “fine details.”

Take the village of Haique in Bijie City, Guizhou, for instance. Previously, the villagers struggled as their quest to cultivate land led to ecological deterioration and poverty. A shift in perspective turned the forests into a “gold mine” and the mountains into “cash cows.” Now, through forest economy, embroidery skills, and rural tourism, the villagers are prospering.

The logic of development is often present even in small communities. By maintaining a view grounded in the broader context, taking actions aligned with that perspective, and conducting thorough calculations, one can discern patterns, clarify directions, and establish clear pathways.

In the Yangtze River Delta, collaboration among Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui has led to the manufacturing of new energy vehicles in just a four-hour drive. By leveraging their strengths with precise strategies, these regions are enabling differentiated and coordinated development.

Significant achievements are built on attention to detail. Striving for mediocrity or settling for “good enough” can lead to failure and diminish results. It is only through accurate alignment with the needs of development, grassroots expectations, and public sentiment that reform initiatives can be effectively implemented and truly impactful.

To harness the principle of “great aspirations and fine details,” one must grasp the overall context while executing with precision. Combining broad strokes with fine artistry allows us to craft the most beautiful and contemporary narrative.

Starting with seemingly minor issues like excessive office space or extravagant spending, the central government’s eight-point regulation has initiated a comprehensive drive for stricter party governance, leading to a transformation in both societal and public attitudes. This allows citizens to witness tangible results and changes.

From the “toilet revolution” to garbage sorting, and from preventing the rise of myopia among children to promoting clean heating, these grassroots endeavors have been integrated into national development strategies, becoming focal points of reform that enhance public wellbeing and security.

By planning on a grand scale while paying attention to minute details, we manifest the profound wisdom behind “great aspirations and fine details.” As ambitious initiatives are rolled out, precise implementation becomes essential. Small victories accumulate into significant triumphs, turning blueprints into reality.

In striving to carry out reform tasks effectively, we must adopt this principle, ensuring that our regional and departmental strategies are positioned within the broader framework of modernizing China while also emphasizing tailored, precise approaches to achieve concrete progress. By balancing high-level vision with detailed execution, we can craft a more vibrant and compelling narrative for our future.