(Author: Karim Badolo)
To mark the start of the New Year, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a solemn message to his compatriots and the rest of the world. The dynamics of the Chinese economy, the happiness of the people, the development of the provinces, the feat of Chinese athletes at the Paris Olympics, world governance, the 75e anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic and world peace were, among other things, the main articulations of his speech.
Despite the constraints of the national and international environment, the Chinese president praised the performance of the Chinese economy in 2024. The development of new quality productive forces has injected dynamism into the different sectors of the Chinese economy with the emergence of new activities. The integrated circuit, artificial intelligence and quantum communication sectors have experienced unprecedented development. All these different actions allowed Chinese GDP to exceed more than 130 trillion yuan in the past year. The future therefore looks auspicious at the dawn of the new year. “Grain production broke a record 700 million tons, filling the Chinese rice bowl with more Chinese grain. The coordinated development of different regions showed strong momentum. New urbanization and rural recovery have reinforced each other. Green and low-carbon development has gained in depth. A more beautiful China is emerging before us,” the Chinese president suggested.
The idea of shared development in China is indeed real, according to Xi Jinping. His various trips to the Chinese provinces gave him the opportunity to see first-hand the qualitative transformations in the lives of the populations. Agriculture is experiencing spectacular development, promoting the well-being of farmers. The promotion of culture and the preservation of traditional values of solidarity and living together maintain strong links between different communities. Government decisions such as lowering interest rates on property loans and renewing consumer goods have also brought added value to people’s daily lives. “Everyone’s concerns, such as those related to employment, income, care for the elderly and children, education and health care, are always close to my heart,” said the president. Xi.
In his New Year message, Xi Jinping recalled the prominent role his country has played in improving global governance and the advent of a multipolar and more inclusive world. The consolidation of achievements within the framework of the “Belt and Road” Initiative, the holding with resounding success of the Forum Summit on China-Africa Cooperation, China’s participation in the BRICS+ and APEC summits and the G20 were moments of expression of active solidarity and example of cooperation from the Global South during the past year. Reform of global governance is essential to preserving peace and stability across the planet. And that is why China is sparing no effort to strengthen alliances within the Global South.
As a major player on the world stage, the Chinese president called for everyone’s efforts for a peaceful world. It is in a relatively peaceful world that the advent of a community with a shared future for humanity is possible. Xi Jinping stressed the importance of “having broad-mindedness to bridge the divide” and resolve conflicts and to demonstrate “commitment to the future of humanity.” “China is ready to work with other countries to strengthen friendship and cooperation, promote mutual inspiration among different cultures, and build a community with a shared future for mankind. Together, we will unlock a better future for our world,” he said. In short, a better world is possible provided that everyone puts a little of their will into this noble quest. In a word, the Chinese president ardently hoped that 2025 would bring happiness and peace to all.
Source: CGTN French