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President Xi Jinping highlighted China\u2019s achievements in artificial intelligence and the chip industry in a triumphant New Year\u2019s Eve speech as he called for more confidence in the country\u2019s development path in the year ahead.<\/p>\n
\u201cChina has become one of the world\u2019s fastest-rising economies in terms of innovative capacity,\u201d he declared in a televised address on Wednesday beamed to the nation\u2019s 1.4 billion people, in which he touted China\u2019s achievements in large AI models and breakthroughs in chip research and development.<\/p>\n
The Chinese leader underscored the role of innovation in his government\u2019s aim for high-quality economic development and the integration of technology and industry, citing the advancements in humanoid robots and drones. He also touted China\u2019s progress in aerospace and defense, pointing to the country\u2019s latest aircraft carrier, the\u00a0Fujian, which is equipped with a new electromagnetic catapult launch system.<\/p>\n
China had \u201covercome numerous difficulties and challenges\u201d to meet the targets set out in its 14th Five-Year Plan, Xi said, adding that the country\u2019s gross domestic product is on track to reach 140 trillion yuan ($20 trillion) in 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOur economic, technological and national defense capabilities, along with our overall national strength, have risen to new heights,\u201d Xi said.<\/p>\n
The speech was Xi\u2019s most upbeat New Year\u2019s Eve address in recent years, coming after his government overcame a multitude of challenges to\u00a0underscore\u00a0China\u2019s status as a rising global superpower.<\/p>\n
The year opened with a surprise breakthrough when Chinese AI startup DeepSeek\u00a0defied US chip curbs\u00a0to release a powerful, low-cost model that stunned Silicon Valley and rattled Wall Street. Chinese chipmakers have\u00a0rushed\u00a0to the IPO market, raising funds that are key to the nation\u2019s goal of technological self-reliance and winning the global race on artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n
China also stared down US President Donald Trump\u2019s renewed trade war, wielding its dominance over rare earths to extract concessions on tariffs and export controls. Chinese shipments found new homes outside the US, pushing its trade surplus beyond $1 trillion for the first time \u2014 a new record in global trade history.<\/p>\n
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Ties between the world\u2019s largest economies have stabilized in recent months after Xi and Trump struck a one-year truce in South Korea in October. Trump is scheduled to visit China in April.<\/p>\n
In a further sign of Xi\u2019s confidence in handling relations with Washington, the Chinese leader on Wednesday did not highlight \u201cexternal uncertainties\u201d as a challenge in his outlook for the new year as he had done for 2025. Instead, he noted that 2026 marks the start of the government\u2019s 15th Five-Year Plan and called for a focus on high-quality development.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must remain anchored to our objectives, maintain firm confidence, and build on our momentum,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Xi also stressed the need to push ahead with his anti-corruption campaign, calling for the ruling Communist Party to enforce strict discipline and promote self-reform to \u201cremove decay and grow new flesh.\u201d Xi\u2019s widening purge has ousted scores of military generals and investigated a record number of high-level officials for corruption this year.<\/p>\n
Despite the triumphant tone, Xi still faces plenty of challenges at home, including a host of structural vulnerabilities in the world\u2019s second largest economy.<\/p>\n
Earlier on Wednesday, Xi\u00a0declared\u00a0that China is expected to meet its growth target of \u201cabout 5%,\u201d providing an upbeat backdrop to data showing a recovery in the nation\u2019s manufacturing sector. Official data released on Wednesday showed the first expansion in factory activity in nine months, with the manufacturing purchasing managers\u2019 index rising to 50.1 in December from 49.2 in November.<\/p>\n
But the economy remains fragile as the year draws to a close. Investment lost further ground in November, consumer spending growth slowed sharply and the property sector deteriorated, reflecting persistent weaknesses in domestic demand.<\/p>\n
Xi has previously signaled a tolerance for slower growth in some regions and even said recently that China should crack down on \u201creckless\u201d projects, highlighting his focus on the quality, rather than pace, of economic growth.<\/p>\n
As in previous years, Xi used his speech to reiterate the ruling Communist Party\u2019s stance on Taiwan. \u201cCompatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are connected by blood that is thicker than water. The historical trend toward national reunification is unstoppable,\u201d he said, alluding to Beijing\u2019s longtime vow to bring the self-ruled island under its control, by force if necessary.<\/p>\n
Xi\u2019s message to Taiwan came after the People\u2019s Liberation Army\u2019s concluded its most expansive\u00a0drills\u00a0around the island democracy in decades. For two days, Chinese warships and aircraft simulated a blockade of the global chip hub with live-fire exercises encircling the main island, while dozens of rockets struck waters near its northern and eastern ends on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
#touts #Chinas #chip #wins #triumphant #Years #speech<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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