At the turn of 2026, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a New Year's message in which he presented a clear vision of Chinese governance: people first and sustainable, high-quality development. The President stressed the importance of technological innovation, cultural development, improving people's living standards, the self-governance of the Communist Party of China and foreign policy, while reaffirming China's commitment to work with the international community to address global challenges and build a community with a shared future for humanity.
International experts praised the President's message, which not only highlighted China's domestic priorities but also showed the country's willingness to shoulder its responsibilities as a global power. They said Xi's speech reflected an inclusive approach, long-term planning and open cooperation.
High quality development
Robert Lawrence Kuhn, chairman of the Kuhn Foundation in the US, said Xi Jinping's speech managed to outline a comprehensive plan covering the economy, science and technology, defence, culture, the standard of living of the people and China's relations with the world in a few minutes. Kuhn highlighted the key themes: high quality development, new quality productive forces and technological innovation.
President Xi has long advocated a model of high-quality development instead of traditional growth based on energy-intensive and energy-intensive industries. His goal is for China to become a modern socialist power by the middle of the 21st century, prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious.
Xi also mentioned humanoid robots made in China capable of performing kung fu kicks. While they may seem humorous, the technology behind them is extremely complex and represents cutting-edge innovation that will drive the new high-quality productive forces needed to achieve the modernization of the socialist state by 2035.
Jorge Heine, former Chilean ambassador to China, highlighted China's growing investment in innovation and high technology, with Chinese R&D spending approaching three per cent of GDP, which he said confirms the importance of innovation as a pillar of economic development.
Philip Laird, vice-chancellor of Trinity Western University Global, added that China is making breakthroughs in digital technologies, artificial intelligence, green energy, advanced manufacturing, electric vehicles and space sciences. Xi's speech, he said, highlighted innovation as the main driver of development, which strengthens the country's long-term competitiveness and sustainable growth.
People-oriented development
Xi Jinping also stressed the importance of a people-oriented approach. The President's policy links national goals to people's daily lives, such as supporting families, improving community services for the elderly and protecting workers in new forms of employment.
Ronnie Lins of the Brazil-China Research and Business Center praised the results of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025). Despite global uncertainties, China has achieved an expected GDP of around 140 trillion yuan while focusing on improving living standards and environmental protection.
Kamel Mansari of the Algerian newspaper Le Jeune Independent stressed that Xi's speech shows the scale and strength of the Chinese economy and measures to boost domestic and international activity, including the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port.
Carlos Uriarte Sanchez from Spain appreciated that China continues to make technological breakthroughs and maintains its leading position in the world.
Four global initiatives
Experts say Xi's speech demonstrated China's diplomatic responsibility. The commitment to „pursue an open approach to the world“ reflects a strategy focused on cooperation and mutual benefit. The four global initiatives - development, security, civilisation and governance - form a consistent framework to reduce conflict, build consensus and solve the world's complex problems, always putting people first.
Overall, Xi Jinping has once again shown that China's policies, whether domestic or international, emphasize people-oriented development, that connects grand strategies with the everyday lives of ordinary people.
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