China is evolving into a more independent and self-reliant economy, striving to enhance the well-being of its people rather than competing with other countries, said Special Envoy of the Russian President Boris Titov, during an interview with China Global Television Network on Thursday.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, delivered his 2026 message on New Year's Eve, in which he looked back over the past year and extended New Year wishes for the coming year.
President Xi stressed that the year 2026 marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan, and China should take solid steps to promote high-quality development, and further deepen reform and opening up across the board.
Titov, who serves as the Special Envoy of the Russian President for Relations with International Organizations for the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, and chairman of the Russian side of the China-Russia Friendship Committee for Peace and Development, emphasized the significance of China's approach to its economic strategy.
"China has set very ambitious goals for its new Five-Year Plan. It has all the grounds and all the possibilities to successfully achieve these goals. The economic world order is changing today, and China is becoming an increasingly independent and self-reliant economy, focused on improving the lives of its people, rather than competing with other countries. It focuses on partnership with countries close in spirit," he said.
Titov reaffirmed the close relationship between Russia and China, stating, "Russia is a close friend of China, and I think that relations in the economic sphere will not only develop as a partnership, but as a friendly cooperation. Since we do not compete, we help each other develop our economies for the benefit of our peoples."
China’s development focuses on people's well-being rather than competition: Russian special envoy
Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province saw a soaring number of visitors from abroad on Thursday, the first day of 2026 and also the opening day of China's three-day New Year holiday, as festive celebrations unfolded across the city.
Major border checkpoints in the city recorded peak inbound passenger flows, with large numbers of travelers from Hong Kong, Macao and overseas entering the city to experience its vibrant holiday vibes.
"I'm so happy 'cause this is the first day of 2026, and I'm bringing my friends to visit Shenzhen," said a visitor from Hong Kong.
International tourists also shared their excitement.
"It's a very modern city and it's interesting to see such a New Year Eve in such a city," said an overseas visitor.
The inbound passenger flow at Luohu Port peaked from 8:00 to 20:00 on Thursday, said an officer there, adding the average daily passenger flow during the New Year break is expected to reach about 240,000.
At the West Kowloon Station port, eye-catching red decorations themed around the upcoming 2026 Spring Festival which will mark the beginning of the Year of the Horse added to the festive mood.
As a key transportation hub of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, the port also saw heavy two-way passenger traffic. Daily cross-border passenger flow there is expected to average around 100,000 during the holiday.
An Australian tourist said he was looking forward to his trip to south China.
"I am from Melbourne, Australia and I'm coming to Guangzhou and Shenzhen in China. I'm excited to see all the tall buildings, especially all the ones that light up and experience a new culture in China." said a tourist.
Outside the ports, celebrations were in full swing as the city prepared for rising visitor numbers.
A large-scale parade featuring more than 30 themed formations kicked off in the morning along the 1.6-kilometer Festival Avenue in Shenzhen's Futian District.
The event drew huge crowds with inflatable cartoon characters, lively drum performances, and traditional Yingge Dance -- a form of folk dance popular in south China's Guangdong Province that merges opera, dance, and martial arts.
Nearby commercial zones also rolled out special consumption coupons, allowing visitors to enjoy a one-stop experience combining festive celebrations and shopping.
"The atmosphere is really nice. We feel very welcomed here. It's a very, very international vibe", said an international visitor.
China continues to grow in popularity as a destination for overseas travelers. Data from online tourism platforms show that inbound flight bookings to China rose 20 percent year on year on the first day of the holiday, with Shenzhen ranking fifth among the country's most popular inbound travel destinations.
"On the first day of holiday, international flight ticket purchases to Shenzhen has increased by 52.5 percent while the international flight bookings to the city has grown by 33 percent," said Shi Ke, a researcher from big data research institute of Qunar, an online travel service provider.
Shenzhen embraces influx of visitors on first day of 2026
