BEIJING — In schools, factories and opera theaters nationwide, Chinese residents are being pushed to pursue the 'China Dream' as the Communist Party steps up its propaganda efforts ahead of its July 1 birthday.

Workers at state-owned companies held writing and singing contests in June with a 'China Dream' theme, listened to lecturers and selected model colleagues, state news agency Xinhua reported. Elementary school students and high-schoolers kicked off a six-month-long poetry reading competition. A prison in eastern Jiangsu province hosted a China Dream speech contest, as did the Beijing Railway Station.