Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered his 2026 New Year message through China Media Group and the internet on Wednesday, outlining a roadmap for the country's modernization and the central role of technological innovation in high-quality development.

Paula Yacoubian, a member of the Lebanese Parliament, told CGTN Stringer that President Xi's New Year address reflects the profound transformation China has undergone under his leadership.

China is transitioning from the world's factory to a global innovation powerhouse, she notes. These technological breakthroughs, in particular in artificial intelligence, are as significant for the country's modernization as poverty alleviation is, she stresses.