Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday delivered his 2026 New Year message in Beijing. Xi hails the achievements of China's 14th Five Year Plan, calls for a new chapter in development while reaffirming the country's openness to the world.

Completions of targets in China's 14th Five-Year Plan

China has met the targets for economic and social development set in its 14th Five-Year Plan, which covers the years 2021-2025, and made solid advances on the path towards socialist modernization with Chinese characteristics.

Noting that 2025 marks the completion of the 14th Five-Year Plan, Xi said that over the past five years, China has pressed ahead with enterprise and fortitude, and has overcome many difficulties and challenges. The country's economic output is expected to reach 140 trillion yuan (around $20 trillion) this year. China's economic strength, scientific and technological abilities, defense capabilities, and composite national strength all reached new heights.

Science and technology innovation is now deeply integrated with industries, AI models are competing in a race to the top, and breakthroughs have been achieved in the research and development of China's own chips, turning the country into one of the economies with the fastest-growing innovation capabilities, Xi noted.

Describing the cultural and tourism sectors as thriving, Xi said public interest in cultural relics, museums and intangible cultural heritage has surged.

"Cultural IPs such as Wukong and Ne Zha became global hits. The younger generation came to deem classic Chinese culture as the finest form of aesthetic expression," Xi added.

China embraces the world with open arms

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

In 2025, China successfully held the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin and the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, while island-wide special customs operations were launched in the Hainan Free Trade Port.

Xi added that China announced new Nationally Determined Contributions to better tackle climate change, and put forward the Global Governance Initiative to promote a more just and equitable global governance system, following the three global initiatives on development, security, and civilization.

"China always stands on the right side of history, and is ready to work with all countries to advance world peace, development and build a community with a shared future for humanity," Xi reiterated.

New chapter to be written in story of China's miracle

As 2026 marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan, solid steps should be taken 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.

"A successful venture should start with a good plan and with clear goals set. We should focus on our goals and tasks, boost confidence, and build momentum to press ahead," Xi said.