2026 has arrived.

On New Year’s Eve, the national leader delivered the 2026 New Year Address, paying tribute to every hardworking individual striving for progress.

The nation’s total economic output has continuously surpassed new milestones, with an estimated 140 trillion yuan this year, marking a new stage in economic strength, technological capability, defense power, and comprehensive national power.

The year 2025 was an extraordinary one, with the economy advancing under pressure and the «14th Five-Year Plan» successfully concluded.

Many of the significant innovative achievements mentioned in the address highlight the confidence of the economy as a «locomotive» driving global economic growth.

«AI large models are racing to catch up,» «new breakthroughs have been made in independent chip R&D,» «Tianwen-2 embarks on its ‘star-chasing’ journey,» «humanoid robots showcase ‘kung fu mode'»

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Behind these accomplishments is an economy undergoing profound transformation, using the key of new quality productive forces to unlock the new door of high-quality development for the «15th Five-Year Plan.»

A solid foundation ensures stability. Behind the steadily climbing GDP figure of 140 trillion yuan lies the profound foundation and surging vitality of an ultra-large-scale market. From coastal to inland areas, from cities to villages, technology and industry are deeply integrated, and the potential of domestic demand is continuously unleashed.

In the first three quarters of 2025, the contribution of final consumption expenditure to economic growth reached 53.5%, an increase of 9 percentage points from the previous full year.

Against the backdrop of a turbulent external environment, the vast domestic market acts as a stabilizing anchor, poised to continuously unleash its potential during the «15th Five-Year Plan» period, providing ample momentum for the economic ship to navigate the waves.

Strong framework, ample momentum. The strength of the economic «framework» depends crucially on the power of the innovation engine.

In 2025, the nation became one of the economies with the fastest-rising innovation capacity, with many perceiving it as having a stronger «tech vibe.»

The «Global Innovation Index 2025 Report» released by the World Intellectual Property Organization shows its ranking has risen to 10th globally, entering the global top ten for the first time.

From the DeepSeek large model gaining widespread popularity, to humanoid robots entering daily life, to the continuous upward exploration of commercial aerospace… batches of breakthroughs in key core technologies and the rise of high-end manufacturing clusters demonstrate the firm strides in high-quality development and a leading position in the global technology sphere.

Warm livelihoods, united hearts. The purpose of economic development is to improve people’s livelihoods. Childcare subsidies, aging-friendly home modifications… are vivid reflections of the commitment to a people-centered development philosophy, translating growth achievements into tangible well-being.

«With the necessities of life and the rhythm of daily meals through the seasons, each ‘small family’ thriving means the ‘big family’ of the nation is flourishing.»

Enhanced care for «the young and the old.» Childcare subsidies for children under 3 have been fully implemented nationwide, easing family burdens. To date, all 31 provincial-level regions have issued such subsidies, covering over 24 million people, with a distribution rate of around 80% for 2025.

In the first 11 months of 2025, renovation work commenced on 25,800 old urban residential communities nationwide. Many old neighborhoods have been equipped with elevators, and community elderly care service centers are increasing, offering considerate services that warm hearts.

Standing at the historical intersection marking the successful conclusion of the «14th Five-Year Plan» and the spirited launch of the «15th Five-Year Plan,» as 2026 is welcomed, the economy is sailing forward on the course of high-quality development with a more solid foundation, a stronger framework, and a warmer sentiment, carrying hope and confidence.

14th Five-Year Plan

The «14th Five-Year Plan» is not a physical place or cultural site, but rather a strategic national development blueprint for the People’s Republic of China. It refers to the series of social and economic development initiatives outlined for the years 2021 to 2025, focusing on themes like technological self-reliance, green energy, and high-quality growth. Its history is part of a continuous planning process begun in 1953, with this 14th iteration aiming to build a «modern socialist country» by 2035.

Tianwen-2

«Tianwen-2» is not a place or cultural site, but rather the name of China’s upcoming robotic space mission. Scheduled for launch around 2025, its primary goal is to collect samples from a near-Earth asteroid and then study a main-belt comet, building upon the success of the Tianwen-1 Mars mission. This mission represents a significant step in China’s deep space exploration program.

15th Five-Year Plan

The «15th Five-Year Plan» is not a physical place or cultural site, but a strategic national development blueprint for China. It refers to the series of economic and social guidelines set for the years 2026 to 2030, which are currently in the formulation stage following the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025). These plans are a key governance mechanism in China, historically used to set long-term goals for modernization, industrial growth, and social welfare since the first plan was introduced in 1953.

Global Innovation Index 2025 Report

The «Global Innovation Index 2025 Report» is not a physical place or cultural site, but an annual analytical publication. It is a leading global benchmark, co-published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and partners, which ranks the innovation performance of over 130 economies. The report, with a history dating back to 2007, provides data and analysis used by governments and businesses worldwide to shape innovation policies.

World Intellectual Property Organization

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations, established in 1967 to promote and protect intellectual property (IP) worldwide. It traces its origins to the 1880s with the creation of the Paris and Berne Conventions, which first established international IP frameworks. Today, WIPO administers key international treaties and provides a global forum for IP policy, services, and cooperation.

DeepSeek

«DeepSeek» refers to DeepSeek AI, a prominent Chinese artificial intelligence company founded in 2023. It quickly gained recognition for developing advanced large language models, and its most notable achievement is the creation of the DeepSeek Chat assistant, which is known for being a powerful, open-source, and cost-effective alternative in the global AI landscape.

old urban residential communities

«Old urban residential communities» typically refer to traditional neighborhoods or housing compounds, often built before modern urbanization, that reflect local architectural styles and close-knit social structures. Historically, these areas emerged organically around city centers, markets, or industrial zones, serving as hubs for working-class families and preserving community life across generations. Many such districts now face challenges from urban redevelopment, though some are protected for their cultural heritage.

community elderly care service centers

Community elderly care service centers are modern facilities that provide daytime support, social activities, and basic health monitoring for older adults, allowing them to live independently at home. They emerged prominently in the late 20th century, particularly in East Asian societies like China, as a response to aging populations, urbanization, and the evolution of family structures. These centers represent a shift from purely family-based elder care to a community-supported model that promotes active aging and social integration.