Xi calls on nation to remain confident

Related: Full text of President Xi Jinping's 2025 New Year message

Confidence, people's livelihoods and a global vision were highlighted by President Xi Jinping on Tuesday in his New Year message, offering a glimpse into China's commitment to advancing its modernization drive, delivering a better life for people, and making the world a better place for all.Delivering the message through China Media Group and the internet, Xi called on the nation to remain confident in the new year, adding that the world's second-largest economy can overcome challenges and pressures through hard work.

While reviewing China's accomplishments in 2024, which he described as "a momentous year", Xi said the economy had rebounded and was on an upward trajectory, with the GDP expected to pass the 130 trillion yuan (about $18.08 trillion) mark and the country's grain output surpassing 700 million tonnes.

For the first time, China had produced more than 10 million new energy vehicles in a year, and breakthroughs had been made in the fields of integrated circuit, artificial intelligence and quantum communications.

Xi did not shy away from mentioning the challenges on the way forward, saying 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," he said. "We must be confident."

Noting that the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) will be completed in 2025, Xi said China will implement more proactive and effective policies, prioritize high-quality development, promote greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, and maintain sound momentum in economic and social development.

Xi recollected some moments from his inspection tours around the country, saying he was happy to see that people's sense of fulfillment had been enhanced thanks to policies such as increased pension, lower housing loan rate and the trade-in of consumer goods.

Stating that ensuring the people lead happy lives is of paramount importance, the president said the common aspirations of every household included good education for children, good elderly services for the seniors and more opportunities for young people.

"We must work together to continuously enhance social governance, consistently foster a harmonious and inclusive atmosphere, and address both major issues and minor concerns that matter to the lives of ordinary people to make them smile better and feel warmer," he said.

Regarding China's role on the global stage, Xi expressed China's commitment to promoting global governance reform and contributing to maintaining world peace and stability.

China is willing to work with countries around the world to promote friendly cooperation, advance the mutual learning among civilizations and participate in the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, creating a better future for the world together, he added.

Xi also underlined the need to 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," he added.

Excerpts from the president's New Year message

? As always, we grow in the wind and rain, and we get stronger through hard times. We must be confident.

? Ensuring the people lead happy lives is of paramount importance.

? We will march forward in great strides to advance reform and opening-up as the trend of our times.

? 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.