披荆斩棘 | pī jīng zhǎn jí

This quote from Xi Jinping is from his speech at the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone on October 14.

Meaning: lit. to cut one’s way through thistles and thorns; fig. to overcome all obstacles on the way; to break through hardships; to blaze a new trail

Original: “ 深圳广大干部群众披荆斩棘、埋头苦干，用40年时间走过了国外一些国际化大都市上百年走完的历程。”

Source: http://cpc.people.com.cn/n1/2020/1015/c64094-31892362.html