Confidence, resolve mark China's New Year outlook

As 2026 begins, Chinese President Xi Jinping's New Year message offered a concise yet powerful statement on where the country stands and where it is heading.

Reflecting on the achievements of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) and looking ahead to the start of the next five-year plan period, his address conveyed firm belief in China's socialist path, strong confidence in its development model and a sober understanding of the challenges that lie ahead.

His review of the past five years underscored that the accomplishments were not easily won, and the country had to press ahead with enterprise and fortitude to overcome the difficulties and challenges it faced.

But the nation's overall strength — spanning innovation, national defense and comprehensive capacity — has reached new heights, with its economic output expected to reach 140 trillion yuan ($20 trillion) in 2025. These advances prove the nation's capacity to overcome difficulties, thanks to the leadership's down-to-earth perseverance, visionary pragmatism and steadfast commitment to serving the people.

China's modernization path, rooted in its own realities, has proved itself to be both viable and resilient amid a volatile global environment.

As Xi noted, innovation is a prominent driver of the country's high-quality development. Breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, advanced semiconductor research, space exploration and major infrastructure projects highlight the country's ability to turn strategic planning into tangible results.

Such progress highlights not only the technological momentum but also the country's institutional strengths — the ability to mobilize resources, coordinate across sectors and maintain long-term focus despite external pressures and internal adjustments.

Equally notable was Xi's emphasis on cultural vitality and social cohesion. The surging interest in the nation's museums and intangible cultural heritage, as well as the growing appeal of Chinese cultural symbols overseas, is evidence that "Chinese culture is shining in even greater splendor". Cultural development, in which "tradition embraces modernity", is not ornamental; it is integral to national rejuvenation and social confidence.

The address conveyed a clear people-centered orientation. Improvements in social services, protections for workers in new forms of employment, age-friendly community upgrades and enhanced childcare support were highlighted as concrete expressions of governance that cares for every leaf and tends every branch in the garden of people's well-being. The assertion that "no issue affecting people's lives is too small" reflects the leadership's dedication to ensuring that development gains translate into real improvements in people's livelihoods.

On the international front, Xi's message conveyed openness and cooperativeness. While acknowledging the world is marked by turbulence and conflict, it reiterated China's readiness to work with other countries to promote peace, development and a more just global governance system. The Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Governance Initiative that Xi has put forward form a blueprint for building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Xi's New Year message affirmed that the Chinese people have joined hands to build a better life and enjoyed it together. Continued adherence to the principle of "one country, two systems", support for Hong Kong and Macao's integration into national development, and confidence in the historical trend toward national reunification were articulated in calm but unequivocal terms as integral to maintaining long-term prosperity and stability. "The reunification of our motherland, a trend of the times, is unstoppable!" That is undoubtedly a stern warning to those thinking otherwise, be they the secessionists on the Chinese island of Taiwan or their foreign patrons.

Underlying the entire New Year message was a consistent theme: effective leadership and strong governance are indispensable to national strength. By emphasizing discipline, self-reform and continued improvement in Party and government conduct, the address underscored the belief that only by maintaining its political integrity and capacity can the country overcome future challenges and deliver lasting progress.

As the new five-year journey begins, the message struck a balanced tone — confident but not complacent, ambitious yet grounded. It projected a China that understands the weight of its responsibilities, trusts in its chosen path and remains firmly committed to serving its people while contributing to a more stable and prosperous world.