Xi's address shows China's confidence

Chinese President Xi Jinping's New Year address has showed China's confidence in its future as well as the country's willingness to play a more active role in global cooperation, observers have said.

The Chinese president, in his New Year message on Tuesday to usher in 2025, 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.

People's welfare

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.

Confidence is reflected in China's approach to global governance reform, particularly deepening solidarity among the Global South, he 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.

"The address was more than just a domestic message to his people, but a universal declaration that China will play a more active role in evolving the world order," he added.

Jan Yumul in Hong Kong and Shao Xinying in Beijing contributed to this story.