Highlights of Xi's 2026 New Year message

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday delivered his 2026 New Year message in Beijing.

Here are the highlights of the message:

China makes solid advances on new journey of modernization

Xi said China has met the targets in its 14th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development, and made solid advances on the new journey of Chinese modernization. 

As the year 2025 marks the completion of the Plan, China's economic strength, scientific and technological abilities, defense capabilities, and composite national strength all reached new heights, Xi added. 

China is one of economies with fastest growing innovation capabilities

Xi said China integrated science and technology deeply with industries, and made a stream of new innovations. Many large AI models have been competing in a race to the top, and breakthroughs have been achieved in the research and development of China's own chips. 

"All this has turned China into one of the economies with the fastest growing innovation capabilities," Xi said. 

The Tianwen-2 probe began its star-chasing journey to explore asteroids and comets. Construction of the hydropower project at the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River started. China's first aircraft carrier equipped with an electromagnetic catapult system was officially commissioned. Humanoid robots did kung fu kicks, and drones performed spectacular light shows, he added. 

"Inventions and innovations have boosted new quality productive forces and added colorful dimensions to our lives," Xi said. 

China's reunification is unstoppable

Xi said the Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share a bond of blood and kinship. "The reunification of our motherland, a trend of the times, is unstoppable." 

On Hong Kong and Macao, Xi said the policy of "one country, two systems" should be unswervingly implemented and the two special administrative regions are supported to better integrate into the overall development of the country and maintain long-term prosperity and stability.

China ready to work with all countries to advance world peace, development

Xi said over the past year China continued to embrace the world with open arms.

To better address climate change, China announced new Nationally Determined Contributions, Xi said, adding that after announcing the three global initiatives on development, security, and civilization, he put forward the Global Governance Initiative to promote a more just and equitable global governance system.

"China always stands on the right side of history," Xi said.

Xi urges efforts to write new chapter in story of China's miracle

Xi urged solid steps to promote high-quality development, further deepen reform and opening up across the board, deliver prosperity for all, and write a new chapter in the story of China's miracle. 

Noting that the year 2026 marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan, Xi said in his 2026 New Year message that a successful venture should start with a good plan and clear goals. 

"We should focus on our goals and tasks, boost confidence, and build momentum to press ahead," Xi said.

CPC exercises strict self-governance to fight corruption

Xi said the Communist Party of China exercised strict self-governance through credible measures, and promoted the Party's self-revolution to fight corruption and advance healthy governance.

"As a result, the conduct of our Party and government steadily improved. We must stay true to our original aspiration and founding mission, and pursue our goal with perseverance and dedication," Xi said as he delivered his 2026 New Year message in Beijing.