Xi's New Year message praised for growth vision, people-first focus

Chinese President Xi Jinping's 2026 New Year message received international praise for its insightful vision of China's development and clear concern for people's well-being.

Leaders and experts from around the world have voiced strong support for the key points in Xi's message on Wednesday evening, saying it reflects China's evolving development philosophy, forward-looking vision, and steadfast commitment to improving people's lives.

"In hearing President Xi's speech, what most impressed me was how much he covered within such a short space. From the dreams to Chinese modernization, high-quality development, new quality productive forces, science and technology and innovation, you see the whole thing in an organized approach that defines President Xi's vision for the country," said Robert Lawrence Kuhn, president of the U.S.-based Kuhn Foundation.

From South Africa, officials emphasized China's global influence and mutual growth strategy.

"We listen very carefully when President Xi addresses not only his nation, but makes an address that reaches the whole world because as a leading figure on the globe, what he says matters. What has been absolutely phenomenal about the rise of China is the manner in which you have lifted others as you have progressed," said Zodwa Lallie, acting deputy director-general in charge of China-South Africa relations at South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).

"The initiatives that President Xi calls upon the developed and developing countries have (been) highly welcomed. Most African countries as well as China share their development wishes," said Bongani Maimele, director of international relations at South Africa's National School of Government.

Observers said the message highlighted not just China's achievements but the underlying goal of improving people's lives.

"Reading President Xi's New Year message, I was especially moved by one part, in which he said 'No issue of the people is too small.' He referred many times to China's development achievements, including those in the economic arena. But the question is, what is the purpose of development? The answer is the happiness of the people. This was the most impressive part of the message and also a concept Europe could learn from," said Michael Schumann, chairman of the German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade.

"I think that this was a very good year for China. China probably will continue its path of development, which is the most extraordinary development in human history," said Nelson Franco Jobim, a senior journalist from Brazil.

Xi's New Year message praised for growth vision, people-first focus

Xi's New Year message praised for growth vision, people-first focus

China's box office closed out 2025 at record levels, cementing its position as one of the world's most powerful film markets.

The 2025 box office revenue in the country totaled 51.8 billion yuan (about 7 billion U.S. dollars), up nearly 22 percent year on year, according to the China Film Administration on Thursday.

Strong domestic releases and sustained audience demand pushed annual revenue to new highs, extending China's box-office growth streak.

"Over the years, China has refreshed box office records again and again - from Hollywood blockbusters like 'Avengers' and 'Avatar' to now 'Zootopia 2', to local productions like 'The Wandering Earth' and 'NeZha 2'. This market shows great potential and is still waiting for many filmmakers to explore," said Will Zang, a film publicist.

"Zootopia 2" became Walt Disney Animation Studios' highest grossing movie of all time, earning 1.46 billion U.S. dollars worldwide, with more than 500 million U.S. dollars coming from China. While Chinese audiences brought international box-office success to some Hollywood productions, Chinese productions have also ramped up their reach abroad.

Meanwhile, Chinese films achieved notable international success in 2025, screening in 46 countries and regions worldwide and serving as a vital cultural bridge by enhancing global audiences’ understanding of China.

Among the Chinese films that made an impact, "Dead to Rights," had a particularly powerful story to tell. It recounts events during the Nanjing Massacre, a series of war crimes during WWII that are often forgotten in the West.

"We heard about the story of Nanjing, of how the Japanese -- it was a genocide back then -- that we weren't even aware of. So, really looking forward to it," said Brian Abell, an American film enthusiast in Los Angeles.

The thriving Chinese market, marked by record-breaking revenue, provides fertile ground for both domestic and international films. Analysts pointed out that the Chinese market's remarkable diversity includes documentaries, arthouse films from international festivals, and niche imports from Europe, all of which have found dedicated audiences.

2025 was the fifth year that China's annual box office has crossed the 50-billion-yuan threshold, following 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2023. According to movie data platform Maoyan, China contributed nearly 24 percent of the global box office in 2025, trailing only North America, which accounted for roughly 29 percent.

As the market continues to grow, its diversity and global prominence will likely shape the future of cinema both in China and around the world.

2025 marks blockbuster year for China's domestic box office, global appeal