In a reflective and aspirational New Year message for 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping lauded the country's achievements under the Communist Party's leadership, while setting a determined course for further progress in Chinese modernization.

'On the new journey of Chinese modernization, everyone is a key actor, every effort counts, and every ray of light shines,' Xi declared, emphasizing the collective power driving China's significant strides.

Reflecting on the past year, Xi highlighted milestones achieved as China lived up to the objectives of its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), despite navigating complex challenges both domestically and globally.

With an anticipated GDP surpassing 130 trillion yuan, reflecting an approximate figure of $17.81 trillion, China continues to assert its role as a major economic powerhouse with a sustained average contribution of roughly 30 percent to global economic growth over the past five years.

Promoting green and technological advancements remains a central pillar of China's development ethos.

Over 2024, substantial progress was made in green initiatives, showcased by the encirclement of the massive Taklimakan Desert with a 3,000-kilometer sand-blocking belt, and a milestone achievement in producing over 10 million new energy vehicles annually.

The Financial Times predicted that China is poised to lead a global shift in the automotive industry with electric vehicles expected to outsell traditional combustion-engine vehicles for the first time by 2025.

As innovation spearheads modernization, China advanced to 11th place in the Global Innovation Index 2024 published by the World Intellectual Property Organization, marking its status as a rapidly ascending innovator on the world stage.

President Xi reiterated the focus on people-centric development, noting, 'the most important is to ensure a happy life for our people.' This commitment to social welfare underscores China’s modern development narrative, engendering tangible quality of life improvements through substantial national reforms and economic advancements.

As 2025 consolidates the implementation of its ongoing Five-Year Plan, China remains steadfast in its pursuit of more robust reforms.

Embracing the ethos of progress while maintaining stability, the principles of reform and openness will continue to guide China as it embarks on a new era of enhanced self-reliance in science and technology, alongside the fulfillment of key economic and social development goals.

Xi assured that the year ahead holds promise for expanding prospects through unwavering reform efforts, setting the stage for successful progress into the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).

With resolute confidence, China aims to contribute ever more to global peace and development, navigating and surmounting challenges on its path to prosperity.