Xi Jinping’s 2026 New Year Message

Beijing, December 31, 2025 — Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered his 2026 New Year message on Wednesday evening, urging firm steps to write a new chapter in China’s “miracle” journey by building on the solid progress achieved in 2025.

In his message, President Xi noted that 2026 marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan. He said that a successful endeavor starts with a sound plan, and with clear goals in place, called for efforts to promote high-quality development, further deepen reform and opening up across the board, and ensure common prosperity. “We should stay focused on our goals and tasks, boost confidence, and press ahead with renewed momentum,” he said.

As 2025 marks the completion of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development, Xi said the country has fulfilled the plan’s targets and made solid progress on the new journey of Chinese modernization. He noted that China’s economic strength, scientific and technological capabilities, defense capacity, and overall national strength have all reached new heights.

Describing 2025 as a year “filled with indelible memories,” President Xi said China commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and established Taiwan Recovery Day, rallying a powerful force for national rejuvenation.

Xi highlighted that China has energized high-quality development through innovation, becoming one of the world’s economies with the fastest-growing innovation capabilities. He added that public interest in cultural development has surged, with growing enthusiasm for cultural relics, museums, and intangible cultural heritage, allowing Chinese culture to shine with even greater splendor.

“No issue concerning the people is too small,” Xi said. “When the joyful hum of everyday life fills every home, the great family of our nation will grow ever stronger.”

In the New Year message, President Xi said that over the past year China continued to embrace the world with open arms and expand cooperation. To better address climate change, China announced new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). He noted that following the launch of the three global initiatives on development, security, and civilization, he proposed the Global Governance Initiative to promote a more just and equitable global governance system.

“China always stands on the right side of history and is ready to work with all countries to advance world peace and development,” he said.

On Taiwan, Xi said that Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share a bond of blood and kinship, and that the reunification of the motherland is a trend of the times and cannot be stopped. Regarding Hong Kong and Macao, he stressed that the policy of “one country, two systems” will be unswervingly implemented, and that the two special administrative regions will be supported to better integrate into the country’s overall development and maintain long-term prosperity and stability.

Toward the end of the message, President Xi emphasized the role of the Communist Party of China, saying, “Only a strong Communist Party of China can make our country strong.” He noted that the Party has exercised strict self-governance and advanced self-reform to combat corruption and promote sound governance, calling on all to remain true to the Party’s original aspiration and founding mission and move forward with perseverance and dedication.