President Xi Jinping issued a rallying cry for the country to double down on efforts to boost economic growth and technological advancement in the new year during his annual televised New Year’s speech on Wednesday.
The call came as Beijing faces complicated geopolitical challenges while pushing for economic transition at home, with the coming years seen as critical to consolidating its position in its rivalry with Washington.
He also mentioned Taiwan, describing the island’s reunification with the mainland as an “unstoppable trend”.
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“The people on both sides of the strait are bound by blood ties thicker than water,” he said.
The People’s Liberation Army conducted a large military drill surrounding the island on Monday and Tuesday, in a stern warning to separatist forces.
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Addressing the economy, Xi said China must “remain confident, seize the momentum and steadily advance high-quality development”. He added that efforts should not be spared to seek a robust start to the new year – the first year of the 15th five-year plan (2026-2030) – and “write the next chapter of the Chinese miracle”.