At the Great Hall of the People, Xi, who is also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, conveyed New Year greetings on behalf of the Party’s Central Committee and the State Council to all Chinese people at home and abroad.
Calling the past Year of the Snake extraordinary, Xi said China had faced difficulties and achieved new progress amid a complex and unstable domestic and international environment, raising the country’s economic strength, scientific and technological capabilities, national defense capacity, and overall national power to new levels.
Over the past year, China’s economy withstood pressure and maintained growth, demonstrating strong resilience and vitality, Xi noted.
Addressing more than 2,000 attendees at the reception, Xi highlighted solid progress in various fields, including rule‑of‑law governance, cultural initiatives, ecological conservation, and national defense.
He emphasized several milestones, such as the release of the plan for the 15th Five‑Year Plan period (2026–2030), the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti‑Fascist War, the establishment of Taiwan Recovery Day, the anniversaries of the founding of the Xizang Autonomous Region and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and the hosting of the 15th National Games in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.
China also introduced the Global Governance Initiative, successfully hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit and the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women. These efforts, Xi said, brought much‑needed certainty and positive energy to a world undergoing profound changes and turbulence.
Anti‑corruption efforts yielded notable results as the CPC pursued strict discipline across the Party ranks, Xi added.
He attributed these achievements to the joint efforts of the entire Party and the multiethnic Chinese people nationwide.
The year 2026 marks the 105th anniversary of the CPC’s founding and the launch of the 15th Five‑Year Plan. Xi called for promoting high‑quality development, maintaining social harmony and stability, and consistently enforcing strict Party discipline to ensure a good start for the next five years.
The Spring Festival marks the beginning of the traditional Chinese New Year. The Year of the Horse will begin on February 17.
In Chinese culture, the horse symbolizes vigor, strength, and resilience, representing steady progress and lasting prosperity, Xi said.
He encouraged the Chinese people to stay motivated and move forward in the new journey of Chinese modernization in this Year of the Horse.
Li Qiang presided over the reception. Senior officials Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and Han Zheng also attended the event.