China Media Group (CMG) on Sunday released its list of the top 10 China-related news stories of 2025.

1. Key recommendations document outlines priorities in China's next five-year blueprint

A document of recommendations from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has sketched out China's development priorities for the 2026-2030 period.

The Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development was adopted at the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee on October 23.

2. China holds massive parade to mark 80th anniversary of WWII victory

China held a massive military parade in central Beijing on September 3 to mark the 80th anniversary of its victory in World War II, pledging the country's commitment to peaceful development in a world still fraught with turbulence and uncertainties.

President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, oversaw the parade and reviewed the troops.

President Xi delivered a speech before the parade. He noted that the Chinese people made major contributions to the salvation of human civilization and the defense of world peace with immense sacrifice in the war. He called on nations to "eliminate the root cause of war and prevent historical tragedies from recurring."

3. CPC launches education campaign to improve conduct

The CPC has launched a Party-wide education campaign to implement its central leadership's eight-point decision on improving conduct.

The campaign, initiated after the annual "Two Sessions" of the top legislature and political advisory body that concluded on March 11, ran through late July, according to a high-level circular issued across the Party.

The eight-point decision is a set of rules adopted by the Party leadership in December 2012 to address chronic bureaucratic issues, including official privileges and extravagant banquets.

It later expanded into a Party-wide initiative for all members to adopt its principles to improve governance conduct. After more than a decade of implementation, the eight-point decision on improving conduct has been hailed as a "game changer" in China's governance.

4. China's main targets for economic, social development in 2025 'achieved'

China's main targets for economic and social development in 2025 would be successfully achieved, according to the annual Central Economic Work Conference, held in Beijing on December 10-11.

With 2025 as its final lap, the 14th Five-Year Plan was set to approach a successful conclusion, noted the meeting.

Over the past five years, China has effectively navigated various shocks and challenges, and achieved new major accomplishments in the cause of the Party and the country.

5. Xi proposes Global Governance Initiative as China hosts a series of diplomatic events

President Xi on September 1 proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), calling on countries to work in concert for a more just and equitable global governance system, at the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Plus" Meeting in north China's port city of Tianjin.

The GGI marks the fourth landmark global initiative proposed by Xi over the past several years, following the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative.

In addition to the SCO summit in Tianjin, China also held the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing on October 13-14, and the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum in Beijing on May 13. 

6. Xi in Xizang and Xinjiang for autonomous regions' anniversaries

President Xi, who led a central delegation, arrived in Lhasa, capital of Xizang Autonomous Region, on August 20 for activities in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the region's founding.

After listening to work reports from the CPC Xizang regional committee and the regional government, Xi urged the autonomous region to build a modern socialist new Xizang that is united, prosperous, civilized, harmonious and beautiful.

On September 23, Xi, leading a central delegation, arrived in Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, for celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the autonomous region's founding, marking the first time in the history of the Party and the country that such an arrangement has been made.

On September 24, after listening to work reports from the CPC Xinjiang regional committee and the regional government, Xi urged Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to build a socialist modern Xinjiang that is characterized by unity, harmony, prosperity, affluence, cultural progress and a sound eco-environment, where people live and work in peace and contentment.

7. China ratifies Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration

China's national legislature on October 24 voted to designate October 25 as the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration.

In 1894, Japan initiated a war against China and then occupied Taiwan. On October 25, 1945, the ceremony to accept Japan's surrender in the Taiwan Province of the China war theater of the Allied powers was held in Taipei. From that point on, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands returned to China's sovereign jurisdiction.

The restoration of Taiwan is an important outcome of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and a compelling proof of the Chinese government's recovery of sovereignty over Taiwan.

8. China launches island-wide special customs operations in Hainan FTP

China on December 18 launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), the world's largest FTP by area, allowing freer entry of overseas goods, expanded zero-tariff coverage and more business-friendly measures.

The move was widely seen as a landmark step in China's ongoing efforts to promote free trade and expand high-standard opening up at a time of rising protectionism worldwide.

Under the new arrangements, the tropical island of more than 30,000 square km has been designated as a special customs supervision zone. This marks a new stage in the development of the Hainan FTP, which enables freer flows of goods, capital, personnel and data, supported by zero tariffs, low tax rates and a simplified tax system.

9. China's tech self-reliance reaches new milestones

China achieved a series of landmark breakthroughs in its quest for high-level technological self-reliance in 2025, significantly bolstering the autonomy and controllability of its tech prowess.

China on May 29 launched the Tianwen-2 probe aboard a Long March-3B rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province. The mission marked China's first asteroid exploration and sample-return effort, aiming to study "cosmic fossils" of the solar system and advance interplanetary science.

China on November 25 launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship to provide a return vessel for the three Shenzhou-21 astronauts in orbit. This momentous occasion marked the accomplishment of the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

China on November 5 commissioned the Fujian, its first aircraft carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults, at a naval port in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province.

10. National Games highlights regional integration of China's Greater Bay Area

The 15th National Games, which officially opened on November 9 and concluded on November 21, saw athletes racing across the borders of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, dubbed the Greater Bay Area, symbolizing a new chapter in regional connectivity and integration.

The 2025 National Games, alongside the National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the National Special Olympic Games, marked the first time for Guangdong and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao to co-host the country's premier multi-sport event.

The games included two cross-border races, namely a cycling race and marathon that highlight "hard connectivity" of infrastructure in the Greater Bay Area.