Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a New Year’s speech in which he reviewed the achievements of 2020 and expanded his New Year’s wishes for 2021.
The full text is shown below:
Comrades, friends, ladies,
The year 2021 is coming. From the capital of China, Beijing, I would like to send you all the New Year wishes!
In 2020, we sweated and struggled as we moved forward with concrete efforts to achieve success. Thanks to our continuous pursuit of high-quality development, China’s GDP is expected to reach 100 trillion yuan, with a per capita figure reaching the level of US $ 10,000.
Significant progress has been made in three tough battles.
Coordinated development was accelerated in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River economic belt, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Great Bay area, and the Yangtze River Delta. Ecological protection and high quality development in the Yellow River Basin have become national strategies.
About 340 impoverished counties and more than 10 million people have been lifted out of poverty. Our lunar probe Chang’e-4, for the first time in human history, landed at the far end of the moon; the Long March-5 Y3 rocket was successfully launched; the icebreaker Xuelong 2 set sail on its first voyage to Antarctica; the construction of the global network of the BeiDou satellite navigation system is advancing towards the finish line; the commercial application of 5G technology is accelerating; Beijing Daxing International Airport “phoenix spread its wings” … all these achievements are the result of the effort and sweat of those who strive in the new era and demonstrate an extraordinary Chinese splendor and Chinese strength.
Over the past year, reform and opening up have continuously generated vigor for development. The reform of party and government institutions has been successfully completed. We have set up another batch of free trade pilot zones and expanded the Shanghai free trade pilot zone.
The Science and Technology Innovation Council was launched without any problems. We have reduced taxes and fees by more than 2 trillion yuan and raised the individual income tax threshold.
Many commonly used medications have seen their prices drop, while the cheaper and faster Internet connection has allowed for a faster flow of information. Garbage sorting is leading the new trend of a low carbon lifestyle.
This year we have also streamlined the work of officials at the grassroots level. New changes are taking place everywhere and the country is taking on a new look.
Over the past year, we have progressively pushed for reforms in our military and national defense systems. The armed forces have acquired a new look of a strong army in the new era. On National Day we celebrated a great military parade, celebrated the 70th anniversary of the creation of the Navy and Air Force and also organized the seventh World Military Games. He commissioned the first aircraft carrier developed by himself in the country. The People’s Army will always serve as the great steel wall that guards our homeland. We salute the loyal soldiers who protect our home.
The most memorable moment of 2020 was the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. We applauded the glorious achievements that the People’s Republic has achieved in the last 70 years and were overwhelmed by the force of patriotism. The formations during the military parade were powerful and the mass contest thrilled. Tiananmen Square became a sea of happiness.
All of China was in red with proud smiles on all sides as the song “My Homeland and Me” sounded through the streets and alleys. Patriotic feelings brought tears to our eyes and the patriotic spirit is the backbone of the Chinese nation. All of these merge into a growing current that sings an ode to New China and inspires us to work harder in the new era, filling us with boundless energy.
Over the last year, I have visited many places. Construction of the new Xiong’an area is progressing, Tianjin port is booming, Beijing’s sub-center is thriving, Inner Mongolia’s meadows are splendid, the Hexi corridor, after thousands of years, is full of new life . The winding Yellow River, where the sky is high and the waters are wide, sometimes turbulent, sometimes calm; on both banks of the Huangpu River, there is abundance and prosperity, and the ribbons of light shine at night.
Everything is flourishing in our homeland. I traced the paths of the Chinese revolution to strengthen my original aspiration. From Yudu in Jiangxi Province, where the Red Army gathered for its long march, to the Museum of the Revolution in Xinxian County, Henan Province, the former capital of the Hubei Revolutionary Base. Henan-Anhui, from the West Road Army Monument in Gaotai, Gansu Province, to the revolutionary memorial site of the fragrant hills of Beijing, all these places aroused many feelings and thoughts in me. Our original aspiration and mission are our inexhaustible source of motivation during our Long March of the new era.
As usual, no matter how busy he was, he spent time visiting people in the countryside. People shared with me many of their deepest thoughts and I always keep them in mind. I have also received letters from Dulong villagers in Gongshan, Yunnan Province; residents in Xiadang Township, Shouning County, Fujian Province; soldiers of the Wang Jie Squadron; graduate students of the Beijing Sport University Champions Class; and children and senior volunteers from Macau. In my response letters, I applauded the successes they had achieved and sent my best wishes.
Over the past year, many people and their stories have touched us deeply. Zhang Fuqing has kept a low profile and has remained true to his original heart despite the great contributions he has made to the nation; Huang Wenxiu dedicated his youth and life to alleviating poverty; 31 firefighters sacrificed their lives in the performance of duty in Muli, Sichuan Province; Du Fuguo sacrificed himself to protect his comrades; and China’s women’s national volleyball national team won the World Cup in an eleven-game winning streak. Numerous unknown heroes, without complaint or regret, with dedication. Ordinary people living extraordinary lives.
In 2020, China continued to open its arms to embrace the world. We hosted the Second Forum for International Cooperation on the Belt and Road, the Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition, the Conference on the Dialogue of Asian Civilizations, and the Second China International Import Exhibition, which shows a Civilized China, open and inclusive to the rest of the world.
I held meetings with many heads of state and government, sharing with them China’s proposals, promoting friendship and deepening consensus. A few countries shook our hand. Now the number of countries that have diplomatic ties with China is 180. We have friends in every corner of the world.
2021 will be a year of significant importance. We will finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and achieve the first goal of the centenary. 2021 will also be a year of decisive victory for the eradication of poverty.
The bugle sounded. All in one heart “we will add oil.” The greater the difficulties, the more we move forward, further strengthening our weak ties and laying a stronger foundation to win the tough battle against poverty with determination, to lift all impoverished rural residents and counties out of poverty by current standards. , as planned.
A few days ago, I attended the celebrations of the 20th anniversary of Macau’s return to the homeland and I was encouraged by the prosperity and stability in Macau. Macau’s successful practice indicates that the principle of “One country, two systems” is fully applicable, achievable and popular. In recent months, our heart has been concerned about the situation in Hong Kong.
Without a harmonious and stable environment, how can you live in peace and enjoy your work? I sincerely wish Hong Kong and our compatriots in Hong Kong well. The prosperity and stability of Hong Kong is the desire of Hong Kong compatriots and the expectation of the people of our homeland.
Human history, like a river, runs forever, witnessing peaceful moments and great upheavals. We are not afraid of storms, dangers and barriers. China is determined to walk the path of peaceful development and will resolutely safeguard world peace and promote common development. We are ready to unite in the hands of people from all over the world to build the Belt and Road Initiative together, and promote the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity and make unremitting efforts to create a beautiful future humanity.
At this time, many people continue to take their places, many people protect peace and security and many people work tirelessly. Your hard work is much appreciated.
Let’s make the most of the day and live it together and greet the arrival of the year 2021. I wish you all a happy new year!