Dateline: Dec 31, 2023/File
Location: China;
Duration: 6’36
Source: China Central Television (CCTV)
Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland
Published: 2023-12-31 22:50
Last Modified: 2024-01-01 00:05
English
Storyline
China has made steady progress in pursuing high-quality development in 2023, said Chinese President Xi Jinping while delivering the 2024 New Year Address on Sunday, the New Year’s Eve.
This year, China has marched forward with solid steps, said Xi.
“We achieved a smooth transition in our COVID-19 response efforts. The Chinese economy has sustained the momentum of recovery. Steady progress has been made in pursuing high-quality development,” said Xi.
China’s modernized industrial system has been further upgraded, a number of its advanced, smart and green industries are rapidly emerging as new pillars of the economy, said Xi.
He noted that the country has secured a bumper harvest for the 20th year in a row, with waters becoming clearer and mountains greener, and new advances being made in pursuing rural revitalization.
“New progress has been made in fully revitalizing northeast China. The Xiong’an New Area is fast growing, the Yangtze River Economic Belt is full of vitality, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is embracing new development opportunities. Having weathered the storm, the Chinese economy is more resilient and dynamic than before,” said President Xi.
This year, China has marched forward with robust steps, said Xi.
Thanks to years of dedicated efforts, China’s innovation-driven development is full of energy, he said.
The C919 large passenger airliner entered commercial service, the Chinese-built large cruise ship completed its trial voyage, the Shenzhou spaceships are continuing their missions in space, and the deep-sea manned submersible Fendouzhe reached the deepest ocean trench, said Xi.
“Products designed and made in China, especially trendy brands, are highly popular with consumers. The latest models of Chinese-made mobile phones are an instant market success. New energy vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products are a testimony to China’s manufacturing prowess. Everywhere across our country, new heights are being scaled with dogged determination, and new creations and innovations are emerging every day,” said the Chinese president.
This year, China has marched forward in high spirits, said Xi.
The Chengdu FISU World University Games and the Hangzhou Asian Games presented spectacular sports scenes, and Chinese athletes excelled in their competitions. Tourist destinations are full of visitors on holidays, and the film market is booming. The “village super league” football games and “village spring festival gala” are immensely popular. More people are embracing low-carbon lifestyles, said Xi.
“All these exhilarating activities have made our lives richer and more colorful, and they mark the return of bustling life across the country. They embody people’s pursuit of a beautiful life, and present a vibrant and flourishing China to the world,” Xi said.
This year, China has marched forward with great confidence, Xi said, noting China is a great country with a great civilization.
“Across this vast expanse of land, wisps of smoke in deserts of the north and drizzles in the south invoke our fond memory of many millennium-old stories. The mighty Yellow River and Yangtze River never fail to inspire us. Discoveries at archaeological sites of Liangzhu and Erlitou tell us much about the dawn of Chinese civilization. The ancient Chinese characters inscribed on oracle bones of the Yin Ruins, the cultural treasures of the Sanxingdui Site, and the collections of the National Archives of Publications and Culture bear witness to the evolution of Chinese culture,” said Xi.
“All this stands as testament to the time-honored history of China and its splendid civilization. And all this is the source from which our confidence and strength are derived,” Xi said.
While pursuing its development, China has also embraced the world and fulfilled its responsibility as a major country, said Xi, noting China held the China-Central Asia Summit and the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, and hosted leaders from across the world at many diplomatic events held in China.
“I also paid visits to a number of countries, attended international conferences, and met many friends, both old and new. I shared China’s vision and enhanced common understandings with them. No matter how the global landscape may evolve, peace and development remain the underlying trend, and only cooperation for mutual benefit can deliver,” said President Xi.
Along the way, we are bound to encounter headwinds, said Xi, noting some enterprises had a tough time, some people had difficulty finding jobs and meeting basic needs, and some places were hit by floods, typhoons, earthquakes or other natural disasters.
“All these remain at the forefront of my mind. When I see people rising to the occasion, reaching out to each other in adversity, meeting challenges head-on and overcoming difficulties, I am deeply moved,” said Xi.
“All of you, from farmers in the fields to workers on factory floors, from entrepreneurs blazing the trail to service members guarding our country — indeed, people from all walks of life — have done your very best. Each and every ordinary Chinese has made an extraordinary contribution! You, the people, are the ones we look to when we fight to prevail over all difficulties or challenges,” said the Chinese president.
