Xi extends New Year wishes to all

BEIJING -- President Xi Jinping on Sunday extended his New Year wishes and expressed full confidence in the future.

"As energy rises after the Winter Solstice, we are about to bid farewell to the old year and usher in the new," Xi said in his 2024 New Year message. "From Beijing, I extend my best New Year wishes to each and every one of you!"

Xi said China has forged ahead with resolve and tenacity in 2023. "We have gone through the test of winds and rains, have seen beautiful scenes unfolding on the way, and have made plenty real achievements."

"We will remember this year as one of hard work and perseverance. Going forward, we have full confidence in the future," he said.

Xi: China's economy weathers storm to be more resilient, dynamic

President Xi said the year 2023 has seen China's economy weather the storm and become "more resilient and dynamic than before."

In his 2024 New Year message, Xi said as China achieved a smooth transition in COVID-19 response efforts, its economy has sustained the momentum of recovery, and steady progress has been made in pursuing high-quality development in 2023.

The country's modernized industrial system has been further upgraded, and a number of advanced, smart and green industries are rapidly emerging as new pillars of the economy, he said.

China has secured a bumper harvest for the 20th year in a row, and new advances have been made in pursuing rural revitalization, he said.