On New Year's Eve, President Xi Jinping delivered his 2023 New Year’s message via China Media Group and the internet. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ju Peng.

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, December 31 — On the eve of the New Year, President Xi Jinping delivered his 2023 New Year’s message via China Media Group and the internet. The full text is as follows:

Hello everyone! As 2023 is just around the corner, I’d like to extend my warmest New Year’s greetings to all of you from Beijing!

In 2022, we successfully convened the 20th National Congress of the Party, outlining a grand blueprint for fully building a modern socialist country and comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-style modernization, and sounding the clarion call to embark on a new journey of endeavor.

China continues to maintain its position as the world’s second-largest economy, with a steadily growing economy. The country’s GDP for the year is expected to exceed 120 trillion yuan. In the face of the global food crisis, China has achieved “nineteen consecutive years of bountiful harvests,” ensuring that Chinese people have an even more secure food supply. We are consolidating our achievements in poverty alleviation, fully promoting rural revitalization, and implementing a series of measures—including tax cuts and fee reductions—to help businesses overcome difficulties and address the urgent, difficult, and pressing concerns of the people.

Since the outbreak of the epidemic, we have consistently upheld the principle of putting the people and their lives first, adhered to science-based and precise prevention and control measures, and continuously optimized and adjusted our防控 strategies in response to changing circumstances. In doing so, we’ve done our utmost to safeguard the lives and health of our people. The vast number of cadres and the public—especially medical personnel and frontline workers—have shown remarkable resilience and courage in the face of immense challenges. Through painstaking and extraordinary efforts, we’ve overcome unprecedented difficulties and challenges, and every single one of us has had a tough time. At present, epidemic prevention and control has entered a new phase, and we’re still at a critical juncture. Everyone is persevering with unwavering determination, and the light of dawn is just ahead. Let’s all step up our efforts once more—perseverance means victory, and unity means victory.

In 2022, Comrade Jiang Zemin departed from us. We deeply cherish his outstanding achievements and noble exemplary conduct, and we treasure the invaluable spiritual legacy he left behind. We must carry forward his aspirations and continue to push forward the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era.

The long river of history is vast and magnificent; generation after generation has continued to strive, creating today’s China.

Today’s China is a nation where dreams are continuously being realized. The Beijing Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics were a resounding success, with ice and snow athletes soaring across the competition arenas and achieving remarkable results. The Shenzhou-13, -14, and -15 missions have taken off in succession, and China’s space station has been fully completed—our “space home” now roams freely through the vast expanse of the sky. The People’s Liberation Army is celebrating its 95th anniversary, and countless officers and soldiers are marching forward with high spirits on the great journey to build a strong military. The third aircraft carrier, the “Fujian,” has been launched; the first C919 large passenger jet has been officially delivered; and the Baihetan Hydropower Station has begun full-scale operation... All these achievements are the result of the hard work and sweat of countless individuals. Every tiny spark, when gathered together, becomes a blazing torch—this is the power of China!

Today’s China is a vibrant and dynamic nation. The free trade pilot zones and the Hainan Free Trade Port are thriving, coastal regions are enthusiastically embracing innovation, central and western regions are accelerating their development, the revitalization of Northeast China is gathering momentum, and frontier areas are prospering while improving the livelihoods of local residents. China’s economy boasts strong resilience, enormous potential, and robust vitality; the fundamental trend of long-term improvement remains unchanged. As long as we remain confident and pursue progress steadily while maintaining stability, we will surely achieve our established goals. This year, I visited Hong Kong and was deeply gratified to see that Hong Kong is transitioning from governance to prosperity. By steadfastly implementing the principle of “one country, two systems,” Hong Kong and Macao will undoubtedly enjoy long-term prosperity and stability.

Today’s China is a China that carries forward the spirit of our nation. The natural disasters—such as earthquakes, floods, droughts, and wildfires—as well as various safety accidents that occurred this year have been deeply distressing and heartbreaking. Yet, scenes of selfless dedication and mutual support have touched us profoundly, and the heroic deeds of these individuals will forever remain etched in our hearts. Every time we bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new, we cannot help but reflect on the noble ethos that has been passed down through millennia by the Chinese nation, which only strengthens our confidence as we move forward.

Today’s China is a China closely connected to the world. This year, I welcomed many new and old friends in Beijing, and I also traveled abroad to share China’s vision and propositions. The global landscape is undergoing profound changes at an accelerated pace, and the world is far from peaceful. Yet, we remain steadfast in cherishing peace and development, always valuing our friends and partners. We firmly stand on the right side of history and on the side of progress in human civilization, and we are committed to contributing Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to the cause of world peace and development.

After the 20th National Congress of the Party, my colleagues and I traveled to Yan'an to revisit the glorious years when the Party Central Committee overcame unprecedented difficulties during the Yan'an period and to deeply appreciate the spiritual strength of the older generation of Communists. As I often say, “It is through hardship and adversity that we are refined and made stronger.” Over the past century, the Communist Party of China has weathered storms and overcome countless obstacles—its journey has been both incredibly arduous and profoundly great. We must forge ahead undaunted and fight tenaciously, so that tomorrow’s China will be even better.

Tomorrow’s China will create miracles through hard work and relentless effort. As Su Shi once said, “Tackle the most difficult challenges and aim for the loftiest goals,” meaning that we should bravely confront the toughest obstacles and pursue the most ambitious aspirations. Though the road may be long, persistence will bring us closer to our destination; though the task may seem daunting, determination will ensure its successful completion. As long as we possess the spirit of Yu Gong moving the mountains and the perseverance of water dripping steadily to wear away stone—staying grounded, working diligently, and steadily accumulating small steps toward great distances—we will surely turn our grand aspirations into a beautiful reality.

Tomorrow’s China will draw its strength from unity. With China being so vast, it’s only natural that people with diverse backgrounds will have different aspirations and hold varying perspectives on the same issues. What’s crucial is to foster consensus through open communication and mutual consultation. With over 1.4 billion Chinese people united in purpose and working together with one heart and one mind, standing shoulder to shoulder and pooling our collective strength, there’s nothing we cannot achieve and no obstacle we cannot overcome. The two sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family. We sincerely hope that compatriots on both sides will move toward each other, join hands, and advance together, jointly creating enduring well-being for the Chinese nation.

Tomorrow’s China places its hopes on the youth. When the youth thrive, the nation prospers. The development of China depends on the broad masses of young people stepping forward with courage and taking responsibility. Youth is full of vigor and vitality, and青春 nurtures hope. All young people should cultivate a deep sense of patriotism and foster an enterprising spirit, embracing a spirit of struggle to energize their youth, living up to the times and making the most of their youthful years.

Right now, many people are still working hard and tirelessly—thank you all for your efforts! As the New Year’s bell is about to ring, let’s embrace the bright sunshine of 2023 together, filled with hope and anticipation for the future.

Wishing our motherland prosperity and flourishing, and peace and security for our nation and its people! Wishing the world peace, beauty, happiness, and tranquility! Wishing everyone a happy new year and the fulfillment of all your wishes!

Thank you!