Xi's New Year's Message & Warning - Putin-Xi Exchange Greetings - New Party Chiefs for Henan, Hubei, Guangxi & Qinghai

Wish all of you a very Happy New Year. Here’s to another year of China-watching and analysis! If you work in a domain that requires you to conduct open-source China analysis, do please consider applying for my Watching China course.

The course begins on February 1, 2025. Students and Takshashila alumni are eligible for discounts. Click here or on the image below for all the details.

Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

The front page today is dominated by Xi Jinping. The lead story is based on Xi’s annual new year message. The speech (English text) essentially was a positive recap of 2024. He said:

“We have adopted a full range of policies to make solid gains in pursuing high-quality development. China's economy has rebounded and is on an upward trajectory, with its GDP for the year expected to pass the 130 trillion yuan mark. Grain output has surpassed 700 million tons, and China's bowls are now filled with more Chinese grain. Coordinated development across regions has gained stronger momentum, and mutually reinforcing advances have been made in both new urbanization and rural revitalization. Green and low-carbon development has been further enhanced. Indeed, a more beautiful China is unfolding before us. We have fostered new quality productive forces in light of actual conditions. New business sectors, forms and models have kept emerging. For the first time, China has produced more than 10 million new energy vehicles in a year. Breakthroughs have been made in integrated circuit, artificial intelligence, quantum communications and many other fields. Also for the first time, the Chang'e-6 lunar probe collected samples from the far side of the moon. The Mengxiang drilling vessel explored the mystery of the deep ocean. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link now connects the two cities across the sea. The Antarctic Qinling Station is now in operation on the frozen continent. All this epitomizes the lofty spirit and dreams of the Chinese people to explore stars and oceans.”

For 2025, he said:

“In 2025, we will fully complete the 14th Five-Year Plan. We will implement more proactive and effective policies, pursue high-quality development as a top priority, promote greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, and maintain sound momentum in economic and social development. The Chinese economy now faces some new conditions, including challenges of uncertainties in the external environment and pressure of transformation from old growth drivers into new ones. But we can prevail with our hard work. As always, we grow in the wind and rain, and we get stronger through hard times. We must be confident. Of all the jobs in front of us, the most important is to ensure a happy life for our people. Every family hopes that their children can have a good education, their seniors can enjoy good elderly services, and their youngsters can have more and better opportunities. These simple wishes are our people’s aspirations for a better life. We should work together to steadily improve social undertakings and governance, build a harmonious and inclusive atmosphere, and settle real issues, big or small, for our people. We must bring more smiles to our people and greater warmth to their hearts. On the eve of the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland, I visited the city again, and I was gratified to see the new progress and changes there. We will unswervingly implement the policy of One Country, Two Systems to maintain long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao. We Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same family. No one can ever sever the bond of kinship between us, and no one can ever stop China's reunification, a trend of the times. As changes unseen in a century accelerate across the world, it is important to rise above estrangement and conflict with a broad vision, and care for the future of humanity with great passion. China will work with all countries to promote friendship and cooperation, enhance mutual learning among different cultures, and build a community with a shared future for mankind. We must jointly create a better future for the world.”

Another report on the page covers Xi’s meeting with representatives of retired officials and groups who received awards for their outstanding work. Li Ganjie spoke at this meeting.

He called on everyone to “thoroughly study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important discourses and instructions on the work of veteran cadres; deeply understand the decisive significance of the ‘Two Establishments’, resolutely implement the ‘Two Safeguards’, and do a good job in the work of veteran cadres in the new era and new journey with high standards and high quality.” 他表示，要深入学习贯彻习近平总书记关于老干部工作的重要论述和重要指示批示精神，深刻领悟“两个确立”的决定性意义，坚决做到“两个维护”，高标准高质量做好新时代新征程老干部工作.

Also on the page is a report on Xi’s remarks at the tea party arranged by the CPPCC on Tuesday morning. The full text of this speech is published on Page 2. Xi said:

2024 was a critical year for achieving the goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan. Over the past year, in the face of challenges brought by domestic and international situations, we have responded calmly and adopted comprehensive measures to successfully complete the main goals and tasks of economic and social development. Chinese-style modernization has taken new and solid steps forward. 2024年是实现“十四五”规划目标任务的关键一年。一年来，面对国内外形势带来的挑战，我们沉着应变、综合施策，顺利完成全年经济社会发展主要目标任务，中国式现代化迈出新的坚实步伐.

Xi added that “the development process over the past year has been extraordinary and the achievements are encouraging. The economic operation is generally stable, progressing with stability, high-quality development is advancing solidly, scientific and technological innovation has made important progress, new quality productive forces are developing steadily, and it is expected that the annual GDP growth will be around 5%, with grain production exceeding 1.4 trillion jin for the first time.Reform and opening up continues to deepen, the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee was successfully held, making arrangements for further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese-style modernization. Risks in key areas have been resolved in an orderly and effective manner, people’s livelihood security has been solid and effective, and employment and prices have remained stable. The 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the 70th anniversary of the founding of the National People's Congress, the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland were solemnly celebrated, and the construction of democracy and the rule of law, the practice of ‘one country, two systems’ and the great cause of national reunification have made steady progress. We deeply advanced major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. We solidly carried out Party discipline learning and education, and unswervingly improved conduct, enforced discipline, and fought corruption. These achievements have further strengthened our determination and confidence in advancing Chinese-style modernization.” 一年来的发展历程很不平凡，成绩令人鼓舞。经济运行总体平稳、稳中有进，高质量发展扎实推进，科技创新取得重要进展，新质生产力稳步发展，预计全年国内生产总值增长5%左右，粮食产量首次突破1.4万亿斤。改革开放持续深化，胜利召开中共二十届三中全会，对进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化作出部署。重点领域风险化解有序有效，民生保障扎实有力，就业、物价保持稳定。隆重庆祝中华人民共和国成立75周年、全国人民代表大会成立70周年、中国人民政治协商会议成立75周年、澳门回归祖国25周年，民主法治建设、“一国两制”实践和祖国统一大业稳步前进。深入推进中国特色大国外交。扎实开展党纪学习教育，坚定不移正风肃纪反腐。这些成绩，更加坚定了我们推进中国式现代化的决心和信心.

He then added:

“2025 is the final year of the 14th Five-Year Plan. We must adhere to the general tone of work of seeking progress while maintaining stability, fully, accurately, and comprehensively implement the new development concept, accelerate the construction of a new development pattern, solidly promote high-quality development, further comprehensively deepen reform, expand high-level opening up, better coordinate development and security, implement more active and effective macroeconomic policies, promote the sustained recovery of the economy, continuously improve people’s living standards, maintain social harmony and stability, and complete the goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan with high quality, so as to lay a solid foundation for a good start of the 15th Five-Year Plan.” 2025年是“十四五”规划收官之年。我们要坚持稳中求进工作总基调，完整准确全面贯彻新发展理念，加快构建新发展格局，扎实推动高质量发展，进一步全面深化改革，扩大高水平对外开放，更好统筹发展和安全，实施更加积极有为的宏观政策，推动经济持续回升向好，不断提高人民生活水平，保持社会和谐稳定，高质量完成“十四五”规划目标任务，为实现“十五五”良好开局打牢基础.

He called on the CPPCC to “adhere to the organic integration of the Party's leadership, the united front, and consultative democracy, focus on the central tasks and serve the overall situation…” He also warned that: “in the process of Chinese-style modernization, there will not only be clear skies and gentle breezes but also fierce storms and even turbulent waves. We must maintain strategic determination, gather the powerful joint force of all Chinese people to unite and struggle, break through winds and waves, march forward bravely, and continuously push forward the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation!” 人民政协要坚持党的领导、统一战线、协商民主有机结合，围绕中心、服务大局，充分发挥专门协商机构作用，加强思想政治引领，积极议政建言，更加广泛地凝聚人心、凝聚共识、凝聚智慧、凝聚力量。同志们、朋友们！在中国式现代化进程中，不仅有风和日丽，也会有疾风骤雨甚至惊涛骇浪。我们要保持战略定力，汇聚全体中华儿女团结奋斗的强大合力，乘风破浪、勇往直前，把强国建设、民族复兴伟业不断推向前进!

Finally, there’s a report on Xi and Vladimir Putin exchanging New Year greetings. Xinhua reports:

“Xi said that 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of China-Russia diplomatic relations, a new significant milestone in the bilateral relationship. In the extraordinary journey over the past 75 years, China-Russia relations have grown more mature and stable, he said. In face of the accelerated transformation unseen in a century and a volatile international landscape, China and Russia always move forward hand in hand along the right path of non-alliance, non-confrontation, and not targeting any third party, Xi said. Over the past year, the two heads of state held three meetings in Beijing, Astana, and Kazan, and maintained communication through phone calls, exchanges of letters, and other means, Xi said, adding that they had candid exchanges of views and reached broad consensus on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues of common concern. The political mutual trust and strategic coordination between the two sides have been advancing toward higher levels under the strategic guidance of the two leaders, he added. Practical cooperation in various fields has yielded tangible outcomes, such as the completion of the China-Russia east-route natural gas pipeline, and the successful launch of the China-Russia Years of Culture has fostered a closer bond connecting the two peoples through generations, Xi said. China and Russia also support each other as chairs of the BRICS mechanism and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), contributing significantly to solidarity and cooperation among the Global South, he added.”

“Noting that 2025 marks the conclusion of China's 14th Five-Year Plan period and the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, Xi said that no matter how the international landscape evolves, China remains committed to deepening comprehensive reforms, advancing Chinese modernization, and promoting global peace and development. Xi also expressed confidence that China-Russia cooperation in various fields would continue to create new opportunities for growth. The Chinese president voiced readiness to maintain close exchanges with Putin and keep China-Russia cooperation on the right course so as to continue consolidating and deepening China-Russia ties featuring permanent good-neighborly friendship, comprehensive strategic coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation, injecting strong momentum into the development and modernization of the two countries, and contributing to the well-being of the two peoples and safeguarding international fairness and justice.”

As per Xinhua, Putin said that “looking ahead to 2025, Putin said that he stands ready to maintain close communication with Xi to jointly promote the development of bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields, and further strengthen coordination and cooperation on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, BRICS, the SCO and the G20. Such efforts, he noted, will not only fully serve the interests of the two peoples but also contribute to international and regional security and stability.”

Li Qiang and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin also exchanged greetings.

Other reports:

First, there’s a report on the appointment of new Party Secretaries for Qinghai, Hubei, Henan and Guangxi.

• Wang Zhonglin has been appointed the Party chief of Hubei, replacing Wang Menghui.

• Wu Xiaojun has been appointed the Party chief of Qinghai, replacing Chen Gang.

• Liu Ning has been appointed the Party chief of Henan, replacing Lou Yangsheng.

• Chen Gang has been appointed as Party chief of Guangxi.

Second, Qiushi’s January 2025 edition’s lead essay is a speech that was delivered by Xi on February 7, 2023, at the Central Party School. The session was attended by newly-elected members and alternate members of the CPC Central Committee, as well as principal officials at the provincial and ministerial levels. Sinocism today carried a working translation of the full article. My coverage of the reportage around the speech back then is available here.

Finally, I recommend going through this post by Inside China: “What Did the Chinese Politburo Learn in 2024?” Really useful recap of all the Politburo study sessions for the year.