In his new year’s speech, Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed on the need for hard work and unity and called on the young generation to shoulder their responsibilities to deliver China’s ambitious blueprint for the future.
The nationally televised and live-streamed speech delivered in his office in central Beijing is his tenth since Xi became the President in 2013.
Reviewing the past year, Xi first commended the successful 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which drew an ambitious blueprint for building a modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization.
On the Chinese economy, Xi said it has remained the second largest in the world and enjoyed sound development, adding that GDP for the whole year is expected to exceed 120 trillion yuan (about 17 trillion U.S. dollars).
“Despite a global food crisis, we have secured a bumper harvest for the 19th year in a row, putting us in a stronger position to ensure the food supply of the Chinese people,” Xi said.
While Covid has been the bane for the administration, Xi claimed China has put the people first and put life first all along since COVID-19 struck. “Following a science-based and targeted approach, we have adapted our COVID response in light of the evolving situation to protect the life and health of the people to the greatest extent possible,” said the president.
Noting that China has entered a new phase of COVID response where tough challenges remain, Xi called on the Chinese people to make an extra effort to pull through.
As the reigning in of Hong Kong continues, Xi said he was glad to see that the island has restored order and is set to thrive again. “With the determined implementation of ‘one country, two systems,’ Hong Kong and Macao will surely enjoy long-term prosperity and stability,” he added.
Xi also hailed China’s national character, which has been demonstrated in coping with natural disasters and accidents and will be a source of confidence for the country.
He also reminded Taiwan they are members of one and the same family and hoped to see both sides of the Strait will work together with a unity of purpose to jointly foster the lasting prosperity of the Chinese nation.
