In his New Year’s Eve speech, President Xi Jinping highlighted that China has achieved a new breakthrough in independent chip development and has become one of the world’s fastest-rising economies in terms of innovation capacity. He also addressed compatriots across the Taiwan Strait, emphasizing that “the blood of people on both sides of the strait is thicker than water” and that “the historical trend toward national reunification is unstoppable.”

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered his 2026 New Year address on Wednesday evening (December 31) via China Media Group and the internet. (Xinhua News Agency)

China Central Television’s flagship news program Xinwen Lianbo aired Xi’s 2026 New Year address on Wednesday night (December 31), with the video lasting approximately 10 minutes. The opening sequence featured night views of major Beijing landmarks such as the Great Wall and Tiananmen Gate. During his speech, Xi sat in front of a large painting titled “The Great Wall.”

Xi began by summarizing China’s economic achievements during the past five years under the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025), describing the period as “extraordinarily unusual” and its accomplishments hard-won.

He said China had overcome numerous difficulties and challenges to successfully fulfill its set targets, taking “steady steps on the new journey of Chinese-style modernization.” He noted that China’s total economic output in 2025 is expected to reach RMB 14 trillion, marking “a new leap in economic strength, scientific and technological capability, national defense power, and overall national strength.”

Reflecting on memorable events of 2025, Xi mentioned China’s commemoration of the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the establishment of a memorial day for Taiwan’s retrocession.

On scientific and technological advances, Xi stated that deep integration between technology and industry has led to a surge of innovative achievements. “Large AI models are racing ahead, and independent chip development has made new breakthroughs,” he said, adding that China has become “one of the fastest-rising economies in innovation capacity.”

He also cited milestones such as the launch of the Tianwen-2 mission to “chase stars,” the commencement of construction on the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Hydropower Project, the commissioning of China’s first electromagnetic catapult aircraft carrier, humanoid robots demonstrating “kung fu modes,” and drones creating spectacular “firework” displays.

Regarding culture and tourism, Xi noted that Sun Wukong and Nezha have become global sensations, and traditional Chinese aesthetics have emerged as the “top-tier style” among young people. The cultural and tourism market has boomed, with urban and rural “Super Leagues” generating vibrant enthusiasm.

On opening-up, Xi pointed to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, the Global Summit for Women, and the full-island customs closure operation of the Hainan Free Trade Port as examples of China’s continued openness to the world.

During the SCO Tianjin summit, Xi proposed a Global Governance Initiative building upon his earlier “Three Major Initiatives”—the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative.

In his address, Xi said China is committed to promoting a more just and equitable global governance system and affirmed that China “always stands on the right side of history,” expressing willingness “to join hands with all countries to promote world peace and development and advance the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.”

He reaffirmed unwavering implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, pledged support for Hong Kong and Macao to better integrate into China’s national development strategy, and emphasized maintaining their long-term prosperity and stability. Turning to cross-strait relations, he declared: “Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share unbreakable bonds of kinship, and the historical trend toward the reunification of the motherland is unstoppable.”

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Xi noted, the anti-corruption campaign has been resolute and forceful. “Only when the Party thrives can the nation grow strong,” he said, underscoring the need to thoroughly implement the CPC Central Committee’s Eight-point Regulation, strengthen party discipline through education, enforce strict governance, and advance self-revolution to “remove decay and regenerate healthy tissue,” thereby continuously improving Party conduct and government ethics.

He stressed the importance of staying true to the Party’s original aspirations and missions, persevering with sustained effort, and continuing to “answer well the ‘Yan’an Cave Dwelling Question’ and deliver an era-defining response worthy of the people.”

2026 marks the first year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period. Xi called for steadfast focus on goals, strengthened confidence, seizing favorable momentum, and solidly advancing high-quality development and comprehensive deepening of reform and opening-up. He concluded by urging efforts to “promote common prosperity for all the people and write a new chapter in China’s miracle.”

In his New Year’s Eve speech, President Xi Jinping highlighted that China has achieved a new breakthrough in independent chip development and has become one of the world’s fastest-rising economies in terms of innovation capacity. He also addressed compatriots across the Taiwan Strait, emphasizing that “the blood of people on both sides of the strait is thicker than water” and that “the historical trend toward national reunification is unstoppable.”

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered his 2026 New Year address on Wednesday evening (December 31) via China Media Group and the internet. (Xinhua News Agency)

China Central Television’s flagship news program Xinwen Lianbo aired Xi’s 2026 New Year address on Wednesday night (December 31), with the video lasting approximately 10 minutes. The opening sequence featured night views of major Beijing landmarks such as the Great Wall and Tiananmen Gate. During his speech, Xi sat in front of a large painting titled “The Great Wall.”

Xi began by summarizing China’s economic achievements during the past five years under the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025), describing the period as “extraordinarily unusual” and its accomplishments hard-won.

He said China had overcome numerous difficulties and challenges to successfully fulfill its set targets, taking “steady steps on the new journey of Chinese-style modernization.” He noted that China’s total economic output in 2025 is expected to reach RMB 14 trillion, marking “a new leap in economic strength, scientific and technological capability, national defense power, and overall national strength.”

Reflecting on memorable events of 2025, Xi mentioned China’s commemoration of the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the establishment of a memorial day for Taiwan’s retrocession.

On scientific and technological advances, Xi stated that deep integration between technology and industry has led to a surge of innovative achievements. “Large AI models are racing ahead, and independent chip development has made new breakthroughs,” he said, adding that China has become “one of the fastest-rising economies in innovation capacity.”

He also cited milestones such as the launch of the Tianwen-2 mission to “chase stars,” the commencement of construction on the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Hydropower Project, the commissioning of China’s first electromagnetic catapult aircraft carrier, humanoid robots demonstrating “kung fu modes,” and drones creating spectacular “firework” displays.

Regarding culture and tourism, Xi noted that Sun Wukong and Nezha have become global sensations, and traditional Chinese aesthetics have emerged as the “top-tier style” among young people. The cultural and tourism market has boomed, with urban and rural “Super Leagues” generating vibrant enthusiasm.

On opening-up, Xi pointed to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, the Global Summit for Women, and the full-island customs closure operation of the Hainan Free Trade Port as examples of China’s continued openness to the world.

During the SCO Tianjin summit, Xi proposed a Global Governance Initiative building upon his earlier “Three Major Initiatives”—the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative.

In his address, Xi said China is committed to promoting a more just and equitable global governance system and affirmed that China “always stands on the right side of history,” expressing willingness “to join hands with all countries to promote world peace and development and advance the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.”

He reaffirmed unwavering implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, pledged support for Hong Kong and Macao to better integrate into China’s national development strategy, and emphasized maintaining their long-term prosperity and stability. Turning to cross-strait relations, he declared: “Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share unbreakable bonds of kinship, and the historical trend toward the reunification of the motherland is unstoppable.”

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Xi noted, the anti-corruption campaign has been resolute and forceful. “Only when the Party thrives can the nation grow strong,” he said, underscoring the need to thoroughly implement the CPC Central Committee’s Eight-point Regulation, strengthen party discipline through education, enforce strict governance, and advance self-revolution to “remove decay and regenerate healthy tissue,” thereby continuously improving Party conduct and government ethics.

He stressed the importance of staying true to the Party’s original aspirations and missions, persevering with sustained effort, and continuing to “answer well the ‘Yan’an Cave Dwelling Question’ and deliver an era-defining response worthy of the people.”

2026 marks the first year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period. Xi called for steadfast focus on goals, strengthened confidence, seizing favorable momentum, and solidly advancing high-quality development and comprehensive deepening of reform and opening-up. He concluded by urging efforts to “promote common prosperity for all the people and write a new chapter in China’s miracle.”