BEIJING, Dec. 31, 2023 -- President Xi Jinping on Sunday extended his New Year wishes and expressed full confidence in the future.

 

"As energy rises after the Winter Solstice, we are about to bid farewell to the old year and usher in the new," Xi said in his 2024 New Year message. "From Beijing, I extend my best New Year wishes to each and every one of you!"

 

Xi said China has forged ahead with resolve and tenacity in 2023. "We have gone through the test of winds and rains, have seen beautiful scenes unfolding on the way, and have made plenty real achievements."

 

"We will remember this year as one of hard work and perseverance. Going forward, we have full confidence in the future," he said.

 

 

President Xi said the year 2023 has seen China's economy weather the storm and become "more resilient and dynamic than before."

 

In his 2024 New Year message, Xi said as China achieved a smooth transition in COVID-19 response efforts, its economy has sustained the momentum of recovery, and steady progress has been made in pursuing high-quality development in 2023.

 

The country's modernized industrial system has been further upgraded, and a number of advanced, smart and green industries are rapidly emerging as new pillars of the economy, he said.

 

China has secured a bumper harvest for the 20th year in a row, and new advances have been made in pursuing rural revitalization, he said.

 

 

Thanks to years of dedicated efforts, China's innovation-driven development is full of energy, Xi said.

 

Everywhere across China, new heights are being scaled with dogged determination, and new creations and innovations are emerging every day, Xi remarked, citing the C919 large passenger airliner, the Chinese-built large cruise ship, the Shenzhou spaceships and the deep-sea manned submersible Fendouzhe as examples.

 

Meanwhile, products designed and made in China, especially trendy brands, are highly popular with consumers, Xi said. "The latest models of Chinese-made mobile phones are an instant market success. New energy vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products are a new testimony to China's manufacturing prowess."

 

 

All the exhilarating activities throughout 2023 have made Chinese people's lives richer and more colorful, marked the return of bustling life across the country, embodied people's pursuit of a beautiful life, and presented a vibrant and flourishing China to the world, President Xi said.

 

"This year, we have marched forward in high spirits. The Chengdu FISU World University Games and the Hangzhou Asian Games presented spectacular sports scenes, and Chinese athletes excelled in their competitions. Tourist destinations are full of visitors on holidays, and the film market is booming. The 'village super league' football games and 'village spring festival gala' are immensely popular. More people are embracing low-carbon lifestyles," Xi said.

 

 

President Xi said the nation's time-honored history and splendid civilization is the source of confidence and strength.

 

Xi noted that China has marched forward with great confidence in 2023.

 

"Across this vast expanse of land, wisps of smoke in deserts of the north and drizzles in the south invoke our fond memory of many millennium-old stories. The mighty Yellow River and Yangtze River never fail to inspire us," Xi said. "China is a great country with a great civilization."

 

Citing the discoveries at the archeological sites of Liangzhu and Erlitou, the ancient Chinese characters inscribed on oracle bones of the Yin Ruins, the cultural treasures of the Sanxingdui Site and the collections of the National Archives of Publications and Culture, Xi said all this stands as testament to China's time-honored history and splendid civilization.

 

 

While pursuing its development, China has also embraced the world and fulfilled its responsibility as a major country, President Xi said.

 

Xi pointed out that peace and development remain the underlying trend, no matter how the global landscape may evolve, and only cooperation for mutual benefit can deliver.

 

In 2023, China held the China-Central Asia Summit and the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, and hosted leaders from across the world at many diplomatic events, Xi noted.

 

"I also paid visits to a number of countries, attended international conferences, and met many friends, both old and new. I shared China's vision and enhanced common understandings with them," said Xi.

 

 

The people are the ones we look to when we fight to prevail over all difficulties or challenges, President Xi said.

 

 

China will steadfastly advance Chinese modernization, President Xi said.

 

Efforts will be made to fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy on all fronts, speed up building the new development paradigm, promote high-quality development, and both pursue development and safeguard security, he said.

 

 

China will consolidate and strengthen the momentum of economic recovery, and work to achieve steady and long-term economic development, President Xi said.

 

 

China will deepen reform and opening up across the board, and further enhance people's confidence in development, President Xi said.

 

The country will also promote vibrant development of the economy, and redouble efforts to boost education, advance science and technology, and cultivate talents, Xi said while delivering his 2024 New Year message.

 

 

President Xi pledged continuous support for Hong Kong and Macao in securing their long-term prosperity and stability.

 

In his 2024 New Year message, Xi said China will continue to support the two special administrative regions in harnessing their distinctive strengths and better integrating themselves into China's overall development.

 

 

President Xi said China will surely be reunified, and all Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose and share in the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

 

 

China's ultimate goal is about delivering a better life for the people, President Xi remarked while delivering his 2024 New Year message.

 

"Our children should be well taken care of and receive good education. Our young people should have the opportunities to pursue their careers and succeed. And our elderly people should have adequate access to medical services and elderly care," Xi said.

 

These issues matter to every family, and they are also a top priority of the government. "We must work together to deliver on these issues," Xi said.

 

"We should foster a warm and harmonious atmosphere in our society, expand the inclusive and dynamic environment for innovation, and create convenient and good living conditions, so that the people can live happy lives, bring out their best, and realize their dreams," he said.

 

 

China will work with the international community to build a community with a shared future for mankind, President Xi said.

 

Conflicts are still raging in some parts of the world, he said, adding that Chinese are keenly aware of what peace means.

 

"We will work closely with the international community for the common good of humanity, build a community with a shared future for mankind, and make the world a better place for all," he said.