Global observers praise Xi’s words as a shining beacon of hope, stability and optimism in challenging times

Global experts hailed President Xi Jinping’s New Year message as an inspiring voice of optimism and stability in an increasingly complex and uncertain world, offering reassurance amid global challenges.

On Dec 31, Xi delivered his 2026 New Year message, summing up tangible progress in 2025 and urging solid steps to write a new chapter in the story of China’s miracle.

Noting that 2026 marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), Xi said on New Year’s Eve that a successful venture should start with a good plan, with clear goals set. He called for more concrete efforts to promote high-quality development, further deepen reform and opening-up across the board, and deliver prosperity for all.

Experts noted the continuity and the focus on high-quality growth conveyed in the Chinese leader’s speech.

Jack Perry, chairman of the 48 Group, a London-based organization that promotes equal and mutually beneficial trade, said, “I have been struck by the consistency and confidence with which China is approaching its next stage of development.”

“China is not attempting to change direction abruptly. It is building carefully on what has already been achieved. As the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) draws to a close and the 15th Five-Year Plan approaches, there is a clear focus on strengthening foundations rather than chasing short-term gains,” Perry said.

In an increasingly fragmented world, China’s greatest advantage may not be speed or scale, but clarity of direction, he pointed out.

“For multinational companies and global investors, predictability of direction is often more valuable than short-term incentives.”

Tom Harper, a lecturer specializing in China’s international relations at the University of East London, said that Xi’s remarks reflect both continuity and change in China’s path, showing that Beijing is focused on high-quality growth rather than growth at all costs.

Karori Singh, former director and emeritus fellow at the University of Rajasthan’s South Asia Studies Centre in India, said Xi not only highlighted achievements of the year 2025, but also expressed satisfaction with the performance of the 14th Five-Year Plan in terms of high-quality development and modernization.

Xi underscored challenges ahead and strategies to address them, said Singh, adding that Xi’s speech explained that China has moved ahead with enterprise and fortitude, and with adequate research and innovation backing it up.

In his New Year message, Xi said that over the past year, China continued to embrace the world with open arms. He said that China always stands on the right side of history and is ready to work with all countries to advance world peace and development.

Jack Midgley, an adjunct associate professor at Georgetown University in Washington, said Xi’s New Year message struck a positive tone regarding China’s future in a peaceful world.

Charbel Barakat, a media commentator and head of the international news department at Kuwait’s Al Jarida newspaper, emphasized China’s role as a stabilizing global force.

China’s accelerated development of new quality productive forces, as outlined in its latest five-year plan, represents a shared opportunity for the Global South, he said. “By offering technology, investment, and know-how without political conditions, China is injecting new momentum into global growth and industrialization efforts in developing nations.”

In today’s volatile and polarized international landscape, characterized by unilateral and zero-sum policies, Barakat emphasized that China’s commitment to multilateralism, win-win cooperation, and internationally lawful solutions reinforces its role as a stabilizing force.

Keith Bennett, cofounder of the Friends of Socialist China platform, told China Daily that the message reflects how socialism, with a strong Communist Party at its core, is rising again and assuming an enhanced role in the world.

He said that the Chinese people’s cultural self-confidence is reflected in developments ranging from humanoid robots performing kung fu kicks to the resurgence of traditional Chinese culture, and even the grassroots football leagues.

Building on its people-centered governance at home, China is extending that philosophy to the global stage. Experts said it shows China’s commitment to shouldering responsibilities and working with the international community to address shared challenges.

“The world today is undergoing both changes and turbulence, and some regions are still engulfed in war. China always stands on the right side of history, and is ready to work with all countries to advance world peace and development and build a community with a shared future for humanity,” Xi said in the message.

Zheng Xiaofeng, secretary-general of the Canadian Chinese Entrepreneurs Council, said this sent an important signal about China’s policy direction, showing that decision-makers have a clear-eyed understanding of current realities. Rather than promising “easy growth”, the message emphasizes resilience and patience during global uncertainties.

Zheng welcomed the concrete and practical references in the speech to expanding opening-up. He said this points to a stronger emphasis on policy predictability, rules-based cooperation, and mutual benefit.

Xi’s message highlighted the Global Governance Initiative, a vision that experts said demonstrates Beijing’s commitment to global cooperation.

Adhere Cavince, an international relations scholar based in Nairobi, Kenya, said the initiative fosters equitable global systems, pledging to work with all nations for peace, development, and a shared future for humanity. He said it aligns with expanding opportunities for development cooperation between China and African countries.

“Across Africa, China-led global initiatives promote high-quality growth, with themes of joint modernization,” he said.

Wang Mingjie in London and Yang Ran and Hou Chenchen in Beijing contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at xingyi@chinadaily.com.cn