President Xi Jinping's 2025 New Year message
Happy New Year! As a tradition, the full text of Chinese President Xi Jinping's New Year message has just been released to the public. In today's newsletter, I've included the English translation along with some of my personal insights.
Summary:
In his New Year message, Xi began by summarizing the highlights of China's economic development, emphasizing the progress in fostering new quality productive forces across various regions. He also shared observations from his domestic visits and highlighted notable achievements in improving people's livelihoods. China's advancements in sports, military development, and disaster response have all been touched upon.
On international affairs, Xi began by discussing China's cooperation with the Global South and referenced key engagements such as the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS, APEC, and G20. He expressed his aspiration to work with all nations to create a better future for the world.
Xi's address also included reflections on significant events, such as the 75th anniversary of the founding of New China, the successful convening of the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, and the 25th anniversary of Macau's return to the motherland.
Looking ahead to 2025, Xi emphasized that challenges and pressure can be overcome through hard work. He encouraged everyone to remain confident and optimistic about the future.
Details:
当前经济运行面临一些新情况，有外部环境不确定性的挑战，有新旧动能转换的压力，但这些经过努力是可以克服的。我们从来都是在风雨洗礼中成长、在历经考验中壮大，大家要充满信心。
The Chinese economy now faces some new conditions, including challenges of uncertainties in the external environment and pressure of transformation from old growth drivers into new ones. But we can prevail with our hard work. As always, we grow in the wind and rain, and we get stronger through hard times. We must be confident.
This part reminds me of a noteworthy article written by Han Wenxiu, executive deputy director of the Office of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs. Han's article was published in the People's Daily earlier today, providing insights into China's economic roadmap for 2025.
It is noteworthy that Han's analysis doesn't shy away from acknowledging the challenges faced by the Chinese economy:
认识形势要坚持“两点论”，讲求辩证法。当前，我国经济运行仍面临一些困难挑战，主要是：国内需求特别是消费需求不足，部分企业生产经营困难，群众就业增收面临压力，一些领域风险隐患仍然较多；从国际看，地缘政治冲突加剧，全球保护主义上升，外部环境变化带来的不利影响加深。
In analyzing the situation, one must adhere to the "two-point theory" and employ dialectical reasoning. At present, China's economy still faces some challenges. Domestic demand, particularly consumer spending, remained insufficient, and some enterprises faced operational difficulties. Employment pressures persisted and risks in certain sectors continued to be a concern. On the international front, geopolitical conflicts and rising global protectionism added to the complexities faced by China's economy.
我们更要看到，我国经济发展基础稳、优势多、韧性强、潜能大，长期向好的支撑条件和基本趋势没有变，要通过改革发力、政策给力，把发展潜力充分释放出来，把各方面积极因素转化为发展实绩。
Despite these challenges, it should be noted that China's economic fundamentals remain strong, with significant advantages, resilience and potential for growth. The long-term positive trends supporting China's development remain unchanged. It is crucial to leverage reforms and impactful policies to fully unleash China's development potential and transform positive factors from all areas into tangible achievements.
In addition, at today's gathering held by China's top political advisory body to usher in the new year, Xi described 2024 as a year of extraordinary development and said that China's GDP is expected to grow by around 5 percent in 2024. He also emphasized that China will implement more proactive and effective macroeconomic policies in 2025.
For a detailed overview of China's economic highlights in 2024, check a recent newsletter from Peking Ensight, which elaborates on key areas such as consumption, foreign investment, the property market, and green development.
在澳门回归祖国25周年之际，我再到濠江之畔，新发展新变化令人欣喜。我们将坚定不移贯彻“一国两制”方针，保持香港、澳门长期繁荣稳定。
On the eve of the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland, I visited the city again, and I was gratified to see the new progress and changes there. We will unswervingly implement the policy of One Country, Two Systems to maintain long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao.
As the "crown jewel" of China's "one country, two systems" policy and the richest city in Asia, many people are wondering where Macao is heading next. A clue may lie in Xi's speech at Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR)'s 25th anniversary ceremony on Dec. 20, where he outlined "four hopes" for the SAR.
The first and most important hope was to promote Macao's "appropriate economic diversification," with a focus on the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, which Xi also visited this time. This aligns with a recent article by Prof. Zheng Yongnian, who argues that Macao's future lies in Hengqin. Yifei wrote a newsletter expanding on Zheng's article, delving deeper into the implications of Hengqin's role in Macao's future.
两岸同胞一家亲，谁也无法割断我们的血脉亲情，谁也不能阻挡祖国统一的历史大势！
We Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same family. No one can ever sever the bond of kinship between us, and no one can ever stop China's reunification, a trend of the times.
In last year’s New Year message, Xi’s remarks on Taiwan stated: "China will surely be reunified, and all Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose and share in the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation."
It is evident that China's commitment to national reunification remains resolute and unyielding. On Dec. 25, addressing a press conference, Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said that the implementation of the "one country, two systems" in Taiwan would fully take into account the island's realities, the views and proposals of people from all walks of life on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, as well as the interests and sentiments of Taiwan compatriots.
"We believe that the people of Taiwan will develop a better understanding of the 'one country, two systems,'" Chen said, adding that the "two systems" solution to the Taiwan question will play its full role while compatriots on both sides work together toward peaceful reunification.
世界百年变局加速演进，需要以宽广胸襟超越隔阂冲突，以博大情怀关照人类命运。中国愿同各国一道，做友好合作的践行者、文明互鉴的推动者、构建人类命运共同体的参与者，共同开创世界的美好未来。
As changes unseen in a century accelerate across the world, it is important to rise above estrangement and conflict with a broad vision, and care for the future of humanity with great passion. China will work with all countries to promote friendship and cooperation, enhance mutual learning among different cultures, and build a community with a shared future for mankind. We must jointly create a better future for the world.
Amid a year marked by a multitude of significant international events, I believe many China watchers are closely analyzing Xi's New Year message, trying to read the tea leaves for China's foreign policy in 2025, particularly regarding China-U.S. Relations. However, such addresses typically do not mention specific countries by name. Notably, just yesterday, President Xi sent a message of condolence to U.S. President Joe Biden over the passing of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
Xi extends condolences over passing of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter -- MOFA
Noting that the China-U.S. relationship is one of the most important bilateral ties in the world, Xi said that China is ready to work with the U.S. side to focus on the fundamental interests of their people and meet the common expectations of the international community, and advance China-U.S. relations along the right track of sound, stable and sustainable development.
Xi called Carter a promoter and decision-maker in the establishment of China-U.S. diplomatic relations, noting that the late U.S. leader had long contributed to the development of bilateral ties, as well as the friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.
Xinhua Commentary: Remember Jimmy Carter, cherish his legacy
Carter's contributions to U.S.-China relations and his legacy deserve remembering and cherishing. History has shown that cooperation between China and the United States benefits the two peoples, as well as world peace, stability and development.
As Wednesday marks the 46th anniversary of the establishment of China-U.S. diplomatic ties, it is hoped that Carter's legacy will inspire more people in both countries to enhance friendship and promote practical cooperation, so as to guarantee a sound, stable and sustainable bilateral relationship.
Earlier today, Xinhua released a commentary on the passing of Jimmy Carter. For the Chinese people, Carter will be remembered for his historic contributions to the normalization of China-U.S. relations and his consistent devotion to promoting mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.
Full text
BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- On New Year's eve, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered his 2025 New Year message through China Media Group and the Internet. The following is the full text of the message:
Greetings to everybody! Time flies fast, and the new year will be with us shortly. I extend my best wishes to you all from Beijing.
In 2024, we have together journeyed through the four seasons. Together, we have experienced winds and rains and seen rainbows. Those touching and unforgettable moments have been like still frames showing how extraordinary a year we have had.
We have proactively responded to the impacts of the changing environment at home and abroad. We have adopted a full range of policies to make solid gains in pursuing high-quality development. China's economy has rebounded and is on an upward trajectory, with its GDP for the year expected to pass the 130 trillion yuan mark. Grain output has surpassed 700 million tons, and China's bowls are now filled with more Chinese grain. Coordinated development across regions has gained stronger momentum, and mutually reinforcing advances have been made in both new urbanization and rural revitalization. Green and low-carbon development has been further enhanced. Indeed, a more beautiful China is unfolding before us.
We have fostered new quality productive forces in light of actual conditions. New business sectors, forms and models have kept emerging. For the first time, China has produced more than 10 million new energy vehicles in a year. Breakthroughs have been made in integrated circuit, artificial intelligence, quantum communications and many other fields. Also for the first time, the Chang'e-6 lunar probe collected samples from the far side of the moon. The Mengxiang drilling vessel explored the mystery of the deep ocean. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link now connects the two cities across the sea. The Antarctic Qinling Station is now in operation on the frozen continent. All this epitomizes the lofty spirit and dreams of the Chinese people to explore stars and oceans.
This year, I have visited many places across the country and seen how our people enjoy their enriching lives. I saw the big, red Huaniu apples in Tianshui, Gansu and the fishing boats in Aojiao Village, Fujian loaded with their catches. I watched the millenium-old "Eastern Smile" in the Maiji Mountain Grottoes, and I learned more about good-neighborliness passed from generation to generation in Liuchixiang Alley. I enjoyed the hustle and bustle in Tianjin's Ancient Culture Street, and I saw how the people in Yinchuan's mixed-ethnic residential communities live together as one family. The concerns of the people about jobs and incomes, elderly and child care, education and medical services are always on my mind. This year, basic pension has been raised, and mortgage rates have dropped. Cross-province direct settlement of medical bills has been expanded, making it easier for people to seek medical treatment across the country. And consumer goods trade-in programs have improved people's lives... All these are real benefits to our people.
In the Paris Olympics, Chinese athletes raced to the top and achieved their best performance in Olympic Games held overseas, fully demonstrating the vigor and confidence of young Chinese. The PLA Navy and Air Force celebrated their 75th birthdays, and our servicemen and women are full of drive. When floods, typhoons and other natural disasters struck, members of the Communist Party of China and officials stepped forward to lead disaster relief efforts, and our people were of one mind and reached out to each other. People in all fields -- workers, builders and entrepreneurs, among others -- are working hard to fulfill their dreams. I presented awards to recipients of national medals and honorary titles. The honor belongs to them; it also belongs to every hard-working person who has lived up to their responsibilities.
In a world of both transformation and turbulence, China, as a responsible major country, is actively promoting global governance reform and deepening solidarity and cooperation among the Global South. We are making deeper and more substantive advances in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. The Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation was a full success. We put forward China's vision at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS, APEC, G20 and other bilateral and multilateral forums. We have contributed greatly to the maintenance of world peace and stability.
We celebrated the 75th anniversary of the founding of New China. With deep affection, we looked back at the sea change that has taken place across China since the birth of the People's Republic. Nurtured by our 5,000-plus years of continuous civilization, our country, China, is engraved not only on the bottom of the ancient bronze ritual wine vessel of He Zun, but also in the heart of every Chinese. At its Third Plenary Session, the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China sounded a clarion call for further deepening all-round reform. We will march forward in great strides to advance reform and opening up as the trend of our times. We will surely embrace even broader prospects in pursuing Chinese modernization in the course of reform and opening up.
In 2025, we will fully complete the 14th Five-Year Plan. We will implement more proactive and effective policies, pursue high-quality development as a top priority, promote greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, and maintain sound momentum in economic and social development. The Chinese economy now faces some new conditions, including challenges of uncertainties in the external environment and pressure of transformation from old growth drivers into new ones. But we can prevail with our hard work. As always, we grow in the wind and rain, and we get stronger through hard times. We must be confident.
Of all the jobs in front of us, the most important is to ensure a happy life for our people. Every family hopes that their children can have a good education, their seniors can enjoy good elderly services, and their youngsters can have more and better opportunities. These simple wishes are our people's aspirations for a better life. We should work together to steadily improve social undertakings and governance, build a harmonious and inclusive atmosphere, and settle real issues, big or small, for our people. We must bring more smiles to our people and greater warmth to their hearts.
On the eve of the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland, I visited the city again, and I was gratified to see the new progress and changes there. We will unswervingly implement the policy of One Country, Two Systems to maintain long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao. We Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same family. No one can ever sever the bond of kinship between us, and no one can ever stop China's reunification, a trend of the times.
As changes unseen in a century accelerate across the world, it is important to rise above estrangement and conflict with a broad vision, and care for the future of humanity with great passion. China will work with all countries to promote friendship and cooperation, enhance mutual learning among different cultures, and build a community with a shared future for mankind. We must jointly create a better future for the world.
Dreams and wishes may be far, but they can be fulfilled with dedicated pursuit. On the new journey of Chinese modernization, everyone is a key actor, every effort counts, and every ray of light shines.
Splendor adorns our motherland, and starlight graces every home. Let us greet the new year with hope. May our great country enjoy harmony and prosperity! May all your dreams come true! May you all have a new year of happiness and peace! Enditem
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