In a confident New Year's Eve address to the nation, Chinese President Xi Jinping celebrated significant technological advancements while delivering a firm message on Taiwan, stating that the historical trend toward unification is "unstoppable." The televised speech on December 31, 2025, followed the conclusion of the People's Liberation Army's most expansive military exercises around the self-ruled island in decades.
A Speech Highlighting Technological Might
President Xi's address struck a notably triumphant tone, focusing on China's rise as an innovative power. He declared to the country's 1.4 billion people that China has become "one of the world’s fastest-rising economies in terms of innovative capacity." He specifically highlighted breakthroughs in large artificial intelligence models and semiconductor research and development.
Xi pointed to the surprise success of Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, which earlier in the year released a powerful, low-cost model despite U.S. chip restrictions. He also noted that Chinese chipmakers have been active in the IPO market, raising crucial funds for the nation's goal of technological self-reliance. Other cited achievements included progress in humanoid robots, drones, and the country's latest aircraft carrier, the Fujian.
The Unwavering Stance on Taiwan
As in previous years, Xi dedicated a portion of his speech to the issue of Taiwan. He emphasized the shared bloodline between people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and reiterated the Communist Party's longstanding position. "The historical trend toward national reunification is unstoppable," he stated, alluding to Beijing's vow to bring the island under its control, using force if necessary.
This message came directly on the heels of major PLA military drills. For two days, Chinese warships and aircraft simulated a blockade of the global chip hub, conducting live-fire exercises that encircled Taiwan's main island. Dozens of rockets were also fired into waters near its northern and eastern coasts.
Overcoming Challenges and Economic Outlook
The speech reflected a narrative of resilience. Xi stated that China had "overcome numerous difficulties and challenges" to meet the targets of its 14th Five-Year Plan. He projected that the country's gross domestic product is on track to reach 140 trillion yuan (approximately US$20 trillion) in 2025.
Xi also addressed international pressures, noting that China stared down a renewed trade war with the United States under President Donald Trump. By leveraging its dominance in rare earths, China secured concessions and found new export markets, pushing its trade surplus to a record beyond US$1 trillion for the first time. The overall message was one of a rising superpower that has strengthened its economic, technological, and defense capabilities despite global headwinds.
