Experts praise president’s address for renewing nation’s commitment to world peace, development

President Xi Jinping’s New Year address, which highlighted China’s achievements in the past year and its commitment to contributing to world peace and growth, was insightful and encouraging, global experts have said.

In his message delivered on Dec 31 to ring in 2025, Xi focused on high-quality development and people’s livelihoods, underscoring China’s vision to promote global governance reform.

Xi did not shy away from mentioning the challenges facing the Chinese economy and called on everyone to remain confident.

Jack Perry, chairman of the 48 Group in London, called the address “insightful”, and said it offers profound lessons not only for China but also for the global community, including businesses and organizations in the United Kingdom.

“The emphasis on high-quality development and the shift from old growth drivers to innovative technologies is particularly noteworthy,” Perry said. “President Xi’s remarks deeply aligned with our mission to foster collaboration, understanding, and mutual prosperity.”

The achievements in new energy vehicles, integrated circuits, artificial intelligence, and quantum communications demonstrate “China’s commitment to advancing technological frontiers”, which are directly relevant to UK businesses, particularly in sectors such as smart infrastructure, AI-led net-zero projects, and medical technology enhancements, Perry said.

“I see immense potential in the lessons outlined in President Xi’s message. By embracing these values and fostering deeper UK-China collaboration, we can create a future that benefits businesses, communities, and the world at large,” he said.

Keith Bennett, co-editor of the London-based Friends of Socialist China platform, said that Xi’s message “embodies confidence combined with realism”. It outlines the current situation in China without seeking to obscure difficulties and challenges, whether domestic or global, objective or subjective and “it points the way forward”, he said.

President Xi’s address emphasized that “challenges and pressures need to be overcome through hard work”, Bennett said, adding that it is a message that people in every country should take seriously.

Ron Chow, co-chairman of the US-China Youth and Student Exchange Association, called Xi’s New Year address “truly inspiring”.

The speech, which highlighted advancements in technological innovation, improvements in people’s livelihoods, and the progress made in international cooperation, was “deeply encouraging”, he said.

Chow said what touched him the most was the emphasis on China’s advocacy for cooperation and mutual benefit, with its commitment to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

“The firm stand for peace and opposition to division and conflict are not only China’s voice, but also the shared aspiration of all peace-loving people … China shoulders its responsibilities with dignity, making overseas Chinese proud and eager to contribute,” he said.

Chow added that he is confident that China will overcome all challenges and become even more strong and prosperous, with its people leading more harmonious and fulfilling lives.

Oleg Timofeev, an associate professor at RUDN University in Russia, said that Xi’s speech reflected China’s economic and high-tech development.

The world has recognized China’s remarkable achievements across various fields over the past year, including the semiconductor sector, Timofeev said.

“The development of China’s homegrown silicon capabilities is crucial for advancing modern technology across a wide range of industries, positioning China as a high-tech powerhouse,” he added.

Elsewhere, observers said Xi’s address showed China’s confidence in its future as well as the country’s willingness to play a more active role in global cooperation.

Xi brought to light the momentum in economic and social development in China as well as the willingness to work with other countries to make the world a better place for all.

Jasna Plevnik, president of the Geoeconomic Forum Croatia, said the New Year message underscored that “China’s journey of development will continue into 2025”, a reminder to the people of China that the country is open to ambitious new plans.

“It highlights President Xi’s profound confidence in the political unity of the country, which is essential for advancing reforms aimed at achieving high-quality development,” Plevnik said.

China’s development remains steadfast, Plevnik noted, adding that the International Monetary Fund has again revised its growth projections for China upward, a trend the IMF has been following for decades.

The address, which stated China will continue to leverage its influence at BRICS, APEC, and G20 to promote peace and cooperation with other nations, “prioritizes the interests of peace and shared development over national egoisms”, Plevnik said.

“President Xi’s message has reiterated that the primary purpose of China’s development is to serve the best interests of every Chinese, enabling them to pursue their full measure of happiness,” she said.

Michael Dunford, an emeritus professor at the University of Sussex, said the New Year speech reflects on a year of “considerable progress on many fronts and of peace and harmony in China”.

“The domestic situation is a clear reflection of the effectiveness of China’s system of governance,” Dunford said.

Satoshi Tomisaka, a professor at the Institute of World Studies at Takushoku University in Tokyo, said inclusivity and confidence are two key points of the speech, underlining China’s role and responsibility as a major country.

It “reflects a traditional Eastern approach that emphasizes inclusivity and acceptance”, Tomisaka said.

The address, which mentioned issues such as employment, income growth, elderly and child care, and education, “shines a spotlight on people’s welfare”, Tomisaka said.

“Given China’s significant contribution of approximately 30 percent to global economic growth, its perspective on the world naturally attracts great interest,” Tomisaka said, adding that the New Year message provides reassurance to those watching closely with concern.

Muslim Imran, director of the Asia Middle East Center for Research and Dialogue in Malaysia, said the address revealed the high level of confidence the Chinese leadership has in the nation and its future.

“This confidence was reflected in the emphasis on the need for more cooperation with the Global South, and the need to enhance mutual cooperation among different cultures, in order to build a better future for the world,” Imran said.

Ukeru Magosaki, director of the East Asian Community Institute and a former senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, said China’s development has a profound impact both domestically and globally.

Advanced economies are expected to achieve a growth rate of 1.8 percent in 2024, according to projections by the International Monetary Fund in October.

“Against this backdrop, China’s projected achievement of around 5 percent growth in 2024 is remarkable, particularly due to its emphasis on fostering new quality productive forces, with the emergence of new business sectors, forms and models,” Magosaki said.

Deniz Istikbal, an economics researcher with Istanbul Medipol University, said the speech again demonstrates “China’s dedication to a global development vision characterized by inclusivity, cooperation, and a peaceful approach to international relations”.

Istikbal said he expects the continuation of the development strategy and China’s peaceful engagement with the world to help shape “a harmonious international order”.

According to the General Administration of Customs, China’s total goods imports and exports surpassed 21 trillion yuan in the first half of 2024, growing at 6.1 percent year-on-year.

“This positions China at the forefront of global commerce, reflecting its ability to maintain resilience and growth in a challenging international environment,” Istikbal said.

Pius Nunda, a Kenyan economic strategist and business banking manager, described the speech as “heartening” for many African countries.

“Collaboration between Africa and China through the Belt and Road Initiative will create more resources for economic growth and development in the continent,” Nunda said.

Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan, president of the Pak-China Corridor of Knowledge and executive director of the Center for South Asia and International Studies in Islamabad, said the speech “is a message of hope, peace, progress, prosperity achieving the desired goals in 2025 through collective wisdom and holistic spirits”.

XN Iraki, an associate professor at the University of Nairobi’s Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, said the address touches on global issues and the position of China in global affairs while portraying the new year as “full of great prospects”.

Edith Mutethya, Jan Yumul, Linda Deng, Otiato Opali, Ren Qi, Xu Weiwei, and Zheng Wanyin contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at xingyi@chinadaily.com.cn