Xi attends Chinese New Year gathering with non-CPC personages

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, extended festive greetings on Wednesday to people from non-CPC political parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), personages without party affiliation, and other members of the united front ahead of the Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year.

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, sent the greetings while attending an annual gathering with non-CPC personages at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Addressing the gathering, Xi noted that 2025 was an extraordinary year. He said that facing profound and complicated changes at home and abroad, the CPC Central Committee united and led the entire Party and all Chinese people to overcome difficulties and work hard to achieve the year's main economic and social development targets and tasks.

These hard-won achievements stemmed from the Party's strong leadership and the joint efforts of all Chinese people, including those from non-CPC political parties, the ACFIC and personages without party affiliation, Xi said.

Noting that 2026 marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, Xi urged non-CPC political parties, the ACFIC and personages without party affiliation to actively fulfill their duties and responsibilities, contributing to the implementation of the CPC Central Committee's decisions and plans.

He called on them to strengthen political guidance, forge unity, contribute to the country's development in the 15th Five-Year Plan period, and strengthen their own development to show a fresh look as political parties and forces participating in state governance under socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Xi also urged them to rigorously improve their conduct and enforce discipline, with the aim of consolidating a sound political environment.

The gathering was also attended by Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Cai Qi, director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang. Wang, Cai and Ding are also members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

Xi attends Chinese New Year gathering with non-CPC personages

Xi attends Chinese New Year gathering with non-CPC personages

Xi attends Chinese New Year gathering with non-CPC personages

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday called for a comprehensive push in the technological innovation, industrial growth and application of artificial intelligence (AI) to foster new quality productive forces and promote high-quality development.

Li made the remarks while presiding over a State Council group study session focused on AI development.

China must understand AI development trends accurately, Li said, encouraging breakthroughs across the entire chain, and for broad implementation in diverse scenarios to unlock the potential of the technology in an improved manner.

Li urged efforts to map out forward-looking strategies for new technologies and pathways, push for large-scale and commercial applications, better coordinate key resources ranging from data to computing power and electricity supply, expand international technology exchange, and strengthen AI governance with improvements to laws, policy frameworks, application standards and ethical guidelines.

Additionally, China should build an open and inclusive environment, and cultivate a larger multi-skilled talent pool, Li said.

Zhou Bowen, head of the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, delivered a briefing at the session. Vice premiers Ding Xuexiang and Zhang Guoqing, along with State Councilor Wu Zhenglong, also participated in the discussions.

Chinese premier calls for comprehensive push in AI innovation, application