Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a 2026 New Year message in Beijing on Wednesday. (Photo: Yan Yan)
On New Year’s Eve, President Xi Jinping sent his 2026 New Year message via the China Media Group and the Internet. Here is the full text:
Hello everyone. The end of a year ushers in a new chapter of life. As the New Year approaches, I send you my best wishes from Beijing.
The year 2025 marks the completion of the 14th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development. Over the past five years, we have persevered in our efforts and resolutely moved forward to overcome multiple difficulties and challenges, accomplish the set goals and make solid progress in the new march toward modernization with Chinese characteristics. Our economy has continued to record new records and could reach 140,000 billion RMB yuan this year. Our country’s economic power, scientific and technological level, national defense capabilities and overall power have reached new heights. Clear waters and green mountains are the beauty of China. Chinese people experience a greater sense of satisfaction, happiness and security. These past five years have been extraordinary and these accomplishments have not been easy to achieve. Your perseverance and dedication have strengthened the country’s dynamism and prosperity. I would like to pay tribute to you for your contribution.
This year has been marked by unforgettable moments. We solemnly 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. The ceremonies were strong and majestic and the glory of the victory will remain in the annals of History. They inspire the children of the motherland to remember history, honor heroes, cherish peace and build a better future, and gather immense strength for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
We have worked on innovation with a view to quality development. Science and technology have been deeply integrated into industrial development. Innovations have multiplied. Large AI models competed in performance. Electronic chip R&D has made new breakthroughs. China has become one of the economies with the fastest progress in innovation capabilities. The Tianwen-2 probe began its celestial exploration mission, the lower Yarlung Zangpo hydropower project was launched, and China’s first aircraft carrier with an electromagnetic catapulting system was put into service. Humanoid robots demonstrated their mastery of martial arts and drones presented magnificent fireworks displays. Inventions and innovations have strengthened the productive forces of new quality and brought new dimensions to our life.
We have enriched the intellectual world through cultural development. Cultural sites, museums and intangible heritage have generated greater enthusiasm. A new Chinese site has been included on the world heritage list. Wukong and Ne Zha have achieved real international success. Traditional Chinese culture embodies the supreme form of aesthetics for young people. The cultural and tourism sector has experienced great growth. Super League football matches in our towns and villages have generated great enthusiasm. The passion for winter sports grew. Tradition and modernity intersect, Chinese culture shines in all its brilliance.
We worked together to build and live a better life. I traveled to Xizang and Xinjiang for celebrations. From the snow-covered plateau to the foot of Mount Tianshan, Chinese people of different ethnic groups are closely united like the seeds of a pomegranate. Through white khatas and heartfelt songs and dances, they expressed their love for the motherland and celebrated their happiness. Nothing is insignificant when it comes to the welfare of the people and the slightest concern of the people is close to our hearts. Over the past year, the rights and interests of workers in new forms of employment have been better protected. Elderly people were able to benefit from modernized facilities adapted to their needs. Households with dependent children received an additional subsidy of RMB 300 yuan every month. When every family experiences happiness every day, the great family of the Chinese nation can prosper with full vitality.
We continued to embrace the world with open arms. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization Tianjin Summit and the Comprehensive Leaders’ Meeting on Women were successfully held. Special customs operations have been launched at the Hainan free trade port. To better respond to climate change, China announced new nationally determined contributions. After the three initiatives on development, security and civilization, I advanced the Global Governance Initiative with the aim of advancing the construction of a fairer and more equitable global governance system. Today’s world is going through change and turbulence. Some regions still suffer from wars. China always stands on the right side of history and stands ready to work with all other countries to promote world peace and development and build a community with a shared future for mankind.
A few months ago, I attended the opening ceremony of the National Games and I was delighted by the united commitment of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao in organizing this event. We should resolutely pursue the policy of one country, two systems and support the efforts of Hong Kong and Macao to better integrate into the country’s development and safeguard long-term prosperity and stability. Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are linked by blood ties. The reunification of the homeland, which is the trend of our time, is irresistible.
The strengthening of the Chinese Communist Party guarantees the prosperity of the country. We have carried out the study campaign for the strict implementation of the spirit of the eight-point recommendation of the Party Central Committee on improving the conduct of the Party and government. We have taken energetic and credible measures for rigorous management of the Party and promoted self-revolution to combat corruption and strengthen governance. The working style of the Party and the government has thus been improved. We must remain faithful to our initial commitment and persevere in our effort to give a good answer to the question of how to ensure the sustainability of governance and to live up to the expectations of the people in the new era.
The year 2026 will be the start of the implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan. A successful business starts with a good plan and clear goals. We must stick to our goals and missions, strengthen confidence and maintain good momentum to firmly promote high-quality development, further deepen reform and opening-up in all areas, promote common prosperity for all people, and write a new chapter of the Chinese miracle.
Dreams, no matter how grandiose, will come true with boldness and confidence. It’s up to us to gallop forward with courage, vitality and energy to accomplish our dreams, build our happiness and translate our vision into reality.
The New Year’s sun will rise soon. May our homeland shine in all its splendor! May our land yield good harvests! May our nation embrace an even brighter future! May this new year bring us lots of happiness and success! May all our dreams come true!
