The New Year address delivered by Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday night underscores the country's continued commitment to pursuing high-quality development, self-reliance, and improving people's well-being, renowned China expert Robert Lawrence Kuhn said.
Kuhn, also a commentator for China Global Television Network (CGTN), pointed out that while the tone, structure and topic categories of Xi's milestone addresses reflect custom and consistency, subtle variations on big themes can offer insights into how Xi is thinking and what China is planning.
"For his 2025 address, President Xi sets the tone with the metaphor of 'four seasons' expressing the range of events - experiencing 'winds and rains' and seeing 'rainbows,' which combine to portray 'how extraordinary a year we have had.' He recognizes multiple impacts of 'the changing environment at home and abroad,' putting upfront the challenges China has faced and framing these challenges by stating with confidence how China has 'proactively responded'," Kuhn said.
Kuhn highlighted Xi's focus on high-quality development as a top priority.
"The first 'solid gain,' President Xi states, is 'pursuing high-quality development.' This is pre-eminent positioning, signaling and stressing that high-quality development is top priority. The GDP of 130 trillion yuan, or a little over 18 trillion U.S. dollars, and grain output of 700 million tonnes confirm that not only are standards of living improving but, meaningfully, 'China's bowls are now filled with more Chinese grain,' which means less dependency on foreign supplies. Coordinated development between 'new urbanization and rural revitalization' and enhancing 'green development' resonate with Xi's overarching New Concepts of Development," he said.
Xi's address also included detailed accounts of his visits across the country, indicating a commitment to addressing people's concerns, Kuhn stressed.
"President Xi describes his visits to 'many places across the country' in rich detail, perhaps more than in prior addresses, highlighting his focus on improving the lives of ordinary citizens. He states explicitly, 'The concerns of the people about jobs and incomes, elderly and child care, education and medical services are always on my mind.' It is perhaps his most personal and revealing comment," Kuhn said.
Xi's New Year message reflects commitment to development, people's wellbeing: expert
