Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered his 2026 New Year message in Beijing on December 31, 2025, via China Media Group and the internet. He reviewed achievements from 2025 and outlined prospects for high-quality development in 2026.
The year 2025 marked the completion of China's 14th Five-Year Plan, with President Xi Jinping stating in his address that the country met its targets and made solid advances on the new journey of Chinese modernization. Economic output is expected to reach RMB 140 trillion, with new heights in economic strength, scientific and technological capabilities, defense, and overall national power.
Xi highlighted significant progress in innovation-driven high-quality development in 2025. Many large AI models competed at the top, and breakthroughs were achieved in domestic chip research and development. The Tianwen-2 probe embarked on its journey to explore asteroids and comets, construction started on the Yarlung Zangbo River's lower reaches hydropower project, and China's first electromagnetic catapult aircraft carrier was commissioned. Humanoid robots performed kung fu kicks, and drones staged spectacular light shows. "Inventions and innovations have boosted new quality productive forces and added colorful dimensions to our lives," Xi said.
In culture, public interest surged in cultural relics, museums, and intangible heritage. A new Chinese cultural site was added to the World Heritage List. Cultural IPs like Wukong and Nezha became global hits, and the cultural and tourism sectors thrived. Xi mentioned attending celebrations in Xizang and Xinjiang, where people of various ethnic groups united in expressing love for the motherland.
Internationally, China hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin and the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, and launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port. To address climate change, China announced new Nationally Determined Contributions and proposed the Global Governance Initiative. "China always stands on the right side of history," Xi affirmed, ready to work with all countries for peace, development, and a community with a shared future for humanity.
On Taiwan, Xi noted that people on both sides share blood ties. "The reunification of our motherland, a trend of the times, is unstoppable." He supported Hong Kong and Macao in integrating into national development under One Country, Two Systems for long-term prosperity. As 2026 begins the 15th Five-Year Plan, Xi urged focusing on goals, boosting confidence, and advancing reform and opening up to write a new chapter in China's miracle.
"The dream lofty, the journey long—bold strides will get us there. Let us charge ahead like horses with courage, vitality, and energy," Xi concluded.
Xi also praised the Communist Party of China's strict self-governance in fighting corruption, improving conduct steadily.