China's covenant of stability and ascent

Editor's note: Xin Ge, a special commentator for CGTN, is a research fellow at the Institute of Public Policy and Governance, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE), and a chair associate professor at the School of Public Administration and Policy, SUFE. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The annual New Year address by Chinese President Xi Jinping was no mere seasonal greeting but a definitive socio-economic ledger.

Marking the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), a period defined by extraordinary global friction and Chinese resilience, and the inauguration of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), the speech provided a sophisticated record of technological achievements and cultural rejuvenation, and a commitment to people-centered governance.

The message was clear: China has pivoted to a strategic, technology-driven rise.

The headline figure of the address, a projected economic output surpassing the 140-trillion-yuan (around $20 trillion) threshold, shows China's developmental pivot, representing the fruition of "new quality productive forces."

China has redefined its progress: It is no longer about miles of roads but the frontiers of innovation. By highlighting humanoid robots and the "star-chasing" trajectory of the Tianwen-2 mission, the state articulated a new identity: China as a primary architect of the next industrial revolution.

At the same time, cultural soft power remains a pillar of national strength. The global resonance of the iconic "Black Myth: Wukong" and the booming box office of "Ne Zha 2" are not mere trends but a spiritual homecoming. This cultural rejuvenation shows that China's modernization is not a mimicry of the West, but the resurgence of a civilization-state finding inspiration in its own heritage. The definition of power has expanded: Cultural confidence counts just as much as economic statistics.

From macro-economics, Xi's address also embraced the ground realities of everyday life, linking it with details like monthly childcare subsidies and elderly-friendly urban renovations to social stability. The philosophy is clear: The "big country" can thrive only if the "small home" feels secure.

It is a pragmatic reaffirmation of the bond between the state and citizens, promising that the benefits of a massive economy will be felt in the three meals and four seasons of the Chinese people.

In terms of geopolitics, the tone is one of poised, historical gravitas. The commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and the establishment of Taiwan Recovery Day provide the historical ballast for modern territorial and political claims. For the Chinese, these are not mere dates; they are symbols of a hard-won peace and the irresistible trend of national reunification.

Furthermore, the introduction of the Global Governance Initiative signals a further shift of China's role on the world stage. Beijing is no longer merely a rule follower but a rule maker, offering a vision of fairness and justice in a world shrouded in disorder and turbulence.

Beneath this confidence lies a persistent commitment to internal discipline. The message is unmistakable: The success of the 15th Five-Year Plan depends on a disciplined Communist Party of China. The leadership, vowing to fight corruption and advance healthy governance, asserts that China's continued rise requires the Party's rigorous self-revolution.

Ultimately, the 2026 message is a study in the architecture of continuity. It reassures the public that while the road ahead is long and arduous, the pace of the nation is firm and resolute, and calls on both strivers and dreamers to contribute to the shared cause of national rejuvenation.

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