The Fiji Times

President Xi Jinping’s 2024 New Year message

- Message By: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING

ON New Year's Eve, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered his 2024 New Year message via China Media Group and the Internet.

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

In 2023, we have continued to forge ahead with resolve and tenacity. 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.

This year, we have marched forward with solid steps. We achieved a smooth transition in our COVID-19 response efforts. The Chinese economy has sustained the momentum of recovery. Steady progress has been made in pursuing high-quality developmen­t. Our modernised industrial system has been further upgraded. A number of advanced, smart and green industries are rapidly emerging as new pillars of the economy. We have secured a bumper harvest for the 20th year in a row. Waters have become clearer and mountains greener. New advances have been made in pursuing rural revitalisa­tion. New progress has been made in fully revitalisi­ng northeast China. The Xiong'an New Area is growing fast, the Yangtze River Economic Belt is full of vitality, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is embracing new developmen­t opportunit­ies. Having weathered the storm, the Chinese economy is more resilient and dynamic than before.

This year, we have marched forward with robust steps. Thanks to years of dedicated efforts, China's innovation-driven developmen­t is full of energy. The C919 large passenger airliner entered commercial service. The Chinese-built large cruise ship completed its trial voyage. The Shenzhou spaceships are continuing their missions in space. The deep-sea manned submersibl­e Fendouzhe reached the deepest ocean trench. Products designed and made in China, especially trendy brands, are highly popular with consumers. 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. Everywhere across our country, new heights are being scaled with dogged determinat­ion, and new creations and innovation­s are emerging every day.

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. All these exhilarati­ng activities have made our lives richer and more colorful, and they mark the return of bustling life across the country. They embody people's pursuit of a beautiful life, and present a vibrant and flourishin­g China to the world.

This year, we have marched forward with great confidence. China is a great country with a great civilisati­on. 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. Discoverie­s at the archeologi­cal sites of Liangzhu and Erlitou tell us much about the dawn of Chinese civilisati­on. 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 bear witness to the evolution of Chinese culture. All this stands as testament to the time-honored history of China and its splendid civilisati­on. And all this is the source from which our confidence and strength are derived.

While pursuing its developmen­t, China has also embraced the world and fulfilled its responsibi­lity as a major country. We 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 held in China. 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. No matter how the global landscape may evolve, peace and developmen­t remain the underlying trend, and only cooperatio­n for mutual benefit can deliver.

Along the way, we are bound to encounter headwinds. Some enterprise­s had a tough time. Some people had difficulty finding jobs and meeting basic needs. Some places were hit by floods, typhoons, earthquake­s or other natural disasters. All these remain at the forefront of my mind. When I see people rising to the occasion, reaching out to each other in adversity, meeting challenges headon and overcoming difficulti­es, I am deeply moved. All of you, from farmers in the fields to workers on factory floors, from entreprene­urs blazing the trail to service members guarding our country -- indeed, people from all walks of life -- have done your very best. Each and every ordinary Chinese has made an extraordin­ary contributi­on! You, the people, are the ones we look to when we fight to prevail over all difficulti­es or challenges.

Next year will mark the 75th anniversar­y of the founding of the People's Republic of China. We will steadfastl­y advance Chinese modernisat­ion, 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. We will continue to act on the principle of seeking progress while maintainin­g stability, promoting stability through progress, and establishi­ng the new before abolishing the old. We will consolidat­e and strengthen the momentum of economic recovery, and work to achieve steady and long-term economic developmen­t. We will deepen reform and opening up across the board, further enhance people's confidence in developmen­t, promote vibrant developmen­t of the economy, and redouble efforts to boost education, advance science and technology and cultivate talents. We will continue to support Hong Kong and Macao in harnessing their distinctiv­e strengths, better integratin­g themselves into China's overall developmen­t, and securing longterm prosperity and stability. 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.

Our goal is both inspiring and simple. Ultimately, it is about delivering a better life for the people. 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. 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. Today, in our fast-paced society, people are all busy and face a lot of pressure in work and life. 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 realise their dreams.

As I speak to you, conflicts are still raging in some parts of the world. We 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.

Right at this moment, when the lights in millions of homes light up the evening sky, let us all wish our great country prosperity, and let us all wish the world peace and tranquilit­y! I wish you happiness in all the four seasons and success and good health in the year ahead!

Thank you!

 ?? Picture: SUPPLIED ?? Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Picture: SUPPLIED Chinese President Xi Jinping.

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