Xi Jinping Hails Economic Milestones, Innovation and Global Engagement in 2026 New Year Message

By Iyojo Ameh

Chinese President Xi Jinping has delivered his 2026 New Year message, celebrating what he described as landmark progress in China’s development and outlining priorities as the country enters the first year of its new five-year plan.

In a televised and online address via China Media Group, Xi said China successfully completed the goals of its 14th Five-Year Plan in 2025, overcoming domestic and international challenges to strengthen the country’s economic, scientific, military and cultural standing.

Xi projected that China’s economic output is expected to reach 140 trillion yuan by the end of 2025, crediting technological breakthroughs, industrial innovation and strong governance. He said China’s “composite national strength” had reached new levels, with citizens reporting rising satisfaction in security, livelihood, and environmental quality.

“This has been a truly remarkable journey, and our accomplishments have not come easily,” Xi said, praising the “unwavering hard work” of the Chinese people.

The president highlighted a series of achievements, including:
Advances in artificial intelligence large models and domestic chipmaking, The launch of the Tianwen-2 probe to explore asteroids and comets, Commissioning of China’s first aircraft carrier with an electromagnetic catapult system, Construction of a major hydropower project on the lower Yarlung Zangbo River, and Growth in robotics and drone technology, which he said contributed to “new quality productive forces.”

Xi said cultural sectors experienced a renaissance in 2025, citing increased tourism, global popularity of Chinese cultural figures like Wukong and Nezha, and the listing of a new Chinese cultural site as a UNESCO World Heritage location.
He noted several social programs rolled out during the year, including:
Expanded support for gig and platform workers, Upgraded elderly care facilities, and a 300-yuan monthly childcare subsidy for families in need.
“No issue of the people is too small,” he said, adding that the government intends to “tend every branch in the garden of people’s well-being.”

Xi said China continued to “embrace the world with open arms” in 2025, pointing to the successful hosting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin and the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women.
He announced new climate commitments under China’s Nationally Determined Contributions and introduced the Global Governance Initiative, following earlier proposals on development, security and civilization.
“The world today is undergoing both changes and turbulence,” Xi said. “China always stands on the right side of history, ready to work with all countries to build a community with a shared future for humanity.”

Reaffirming support for the One Country, Two Systems framework, Xi said the central government will continue to back Hong Kong and Macao’s deeper integration into national development strategies.

On Taiwan, he reiterated Beijing’s stance that reunification is inevitable: “The reunification of our motherland, a trend of the times, is unstoppable.”

Xi credited the Communist Party of China with driving national progress, citing anti-corruption campaigns and tighter discipline. He urged continued reform and “self-revolution” within the Party to sustain long-term governance.

Looking to 2026, which marks the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan, Xi called for renewed momentum in high-quality development, deeper reforms, expanded opening-up, and shared prosperity.

“Let us charge ahead like horses with courage, vitality and energy,” he said, concluding with wishes for national prosperity, good harvests and personal success for citizens in the new year.