Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed confidence in overcoming economic and external environmental uncertainties in his 2025 New Year's address.
In the 2025 New Year's address broadcast on December 31 by the state-run China Central Television (CCTV), President Xi stated, "The current economic operation faces some new situations, challenges of uncertainty in the external environment, and pressure from the transition between old and new driving forces," adding, "However, these can be overcome through effort."
He said, "We have grown through storms and become stronger through trials," emphasizing, "Everyone should be full of confidence."
This emphasis on 'confidence' contrasts with the unusual direct mention of economic difficulties in the 2024 New Year's address.
On the day, President Xi explained, "We have actively responded to the impacts brought by changes in domestic and international environments, introduced a series of policy combinations, and steadily promoted high-quality development," adding, "Our country's (China's) economy has recovered and improved, and the gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to exceed 130 trillion yuan (approximately 2,622.9 trillion won)."
Furthermore, President Xi stated, "In 2025, we will fully complete the 14th Five-Year Plan," and said, "We must implement more proactive and functional policies, focus our efforts on achieving high-quality development, promote high-quality scientific and technological self-reliance and strength, and maintain a good trend in economic and social development."
He also highlighted China's achievements.
President Xi evaluated, "We have cultivated new quality productive forces tailored to local conditions (因地制宜), and new industries, new business formats, and new models have emerged one after another," adding, "The annual production of new energy vehicles surpassed 10 million units for the first time, and new achievements were made in fields such as integrated circuits, artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum communication."
He also mentioned the Chang'e 6 spacecraft, which was the world's first to collect samples from the far side of the moon, the ocean drilling vessel Mengxiang, the Antarctic Qiling Station, as well as the Paris Olympics where China achieved the second-best results globally.
Regarding international issues, he self-assessed that China played a central role in the unity and cooperation of the 'Global South' (referring mainly to emerging and developing countries located in the Southern Hemisphere) this year.
On the Taiwan issue, he raised his voice, saying, "The compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family," and "No one can sever our blood ties and affection, and no one can stop the historical trend of national reunification."
However, he did not mention relations with the United States ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, the situation on the Korean Peninsula, the war in Ukraine, or other international affairs.
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