Month: January 2025

Full text of President Xi Jinping’s 2025 New Year message

We are pleased to republish below President Xi Jinping’s New Year message. The message outlines the current situation in China without seeking to obscure difficulties and challenges, whether domestic or global, objective or subjective, and it points the way forward, combining confidence with realism in an objective and scientific manner.

Xi points to the impressive advances that have been made over the course of the past year in the pursuit of high-quality development and the improvement of people’s living standards, as well as in advancing new productive forces and exploring new frontiers of science and technology.

For the first time, China has produced more than 10 million new energy vehicles in a year. Breakthroughs have been made in integrated circuit, artificial intelligence, quantum communications and many other fields. Also for the first time, the Chang’e-6 lunar probe collected samples from the far side of the moon. The Mengxiang drilling vessel explored the mystery of the deep ocean. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link now connects the two cities across the sea. The Antarctic Qinling Station is now in operation on the frozen continent.

Xi reiterates the CPC’s firm commitment to meeting the needs of the people:

Of all the jobs in front of us, the most important is to ensure a happy life for our people. Every family hopes that their children can have a good education, their seniors can enjoy good elderly services, and their youngsters can have more and better opportunities. These simple wishes are our people’s aspirations for a better life. We should work together to steadily improve social undertakings and governance, build a harmonious and inclusive atmosphere, and settle real issues, big or small, for our people. We must bring more smiles to our people and greater warmth to their hearts.

Discussing China’s role in the world, in the context of a rising multipolarity, President Xi affirms China’s commitment to peace and cooperation:

As changes unseen in a century accelerate across the world, it is important to rise above estrangement and conflict with a broad vision, and care for the future of humanity with great passion. China will work with all countries to promote friendship and cooperation, enhance mutual learning among different cultures, and build a community with a shared future for mankind. We must jointly create a better future for the world.

The English translation of the speech was first published on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Friends of Socialist China co-editor Keith Bennett’s comment on the speech is included in a China Daily report, which we publish below the speech.

Greetings to everybody! Time flies fast, and the new year will be with us shortly. I extend my best wishes to you all from Beijing.

In 2024, we have together journeyed through the four seasons. Together, we have experienced winds and rains and seen rainbows. Those touching and unforgettable moments have been like still frames showing how extraordinary a year we have had.

We have proactively responded to the impacts of the changing environment at home and abroad. We have adopted a full range of policies to make solid gains in pursuing high-quality development. China’s economy has rebounded and is on an upward trajectory, with its GDP for the year expected to pass the 130 trillion yuan mark. Grain output has surpassed 700 million tons, and China’s bowls are now filled with more Chinese grain. Coordinated development across regions has gained stronger momentum, and mutually reinforcing advances have been made in both new urbanization and rural revitalization. Green and low-carbon development has been further enhanced. Indeed, a more beautiful China is unfolding before us.

We have fostered new quality productive forces in light of actual conditions. New business sectors, forms and models have kept emerging. For the first time, China has produced more than 10 million new energy vehicles in a year. Breakthroughs have been made in integrated circuit, artificial intelligence, quantum communications and many other fields. Also for the first time, the Chang’e-6 lunar probe collected samples from the far side of the moon. The Mengxiang drilling vessel explored the mystery of the deep ocean. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link now connects the two cities across the sea. The Antarctic Qinling Station is now in operation on the frozen continent. All this epitomizes the lofty spirit and dreams of the Chinese people to explore stars and oceans.

Continue reading Full text of President Xi Jinping’s 2025 New Year message

China donates 70 tons of equipment to help Cuba restore its electric system

The following article from Brasil de Fato reports on China’s donation of almost 70 tons of power generator parts and accessories to Cuba. Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Déborah Rivas said that the donation “reflects the high sensitivity of the Chinese government authorities to Cuba’s needs, and their firm support for Cuba under all circumstances, joining, in a true expression of fraternity, the Cuban government’s efforts to achieve energy sustainability”.

Cuba faces a major energy crisis, largely as a result of the US’s cruel and illegal economic blockade. The article notes: “The import of fuel, like any other good, is hampered by the sanctions that Washington unilaterally imposes on countries that trade with Cuba because any ship that arrives at a Cuban port is sanctioned, which generates staggering prices the island has to pay to import the products it needs.”

China is cooperating with Cuba, under the framework of the Belt and Road Energy Partnership, to construct several new photovoltaic parts, which will allow the island to modernise its energy infrastructure and meet its goal of generating all its energy from renewable sources by 2050.

The People’s Republic of China has donated almost 70 tons of power generator parts and accessories to Cuba, aiming to contribute to the recovery of the Caribbean island’s electricity system.

The materials arrived in the country on Sunday (29) and were received by China’s ambassador to Cuba, Hua Xin, and Cuba’s deputy ministers of Foreign Trade and Investment, Déborah Rivas, and Energy and Mining, Tatiana Amarán.

According to Ambassador Xin, the shipment is part of China’s second assistance package in 2024 to help restore Cuba’s electricity generation capacity to around 400 megawatts (MW). As part of an “emergency project list,” the donations were included to provide Cuba with effective and rapid aid according to what the Chinese government calls “convenience for the most urgent.”

“The next batches are expected to arrive soon by freight, commercial flights or container transportation,” he said.

During the brief ceremony to receive the donations, Deputy Minister Déborah Rivas said that it “reflects the high sensitivity of the Chinese government authorities [to Cuban’s needs] and their firm support for Cuba under all circumstances, joining, in a true expression of fraternity, the Cuban government’s efforts to achieve energy sustainability.”

The deputy minister also stated that the island government estimates that this donation will benefit about 53,200 homes in the country.

The donations come as the Caribbean country is facing a serious energy crisis that has worsened in recent months. This year, Cuba has suffered three total blackouts in the national electricity system, leaving the country completely in the dark. Currently, power cuts are becoming more and more constant, affecting over 40% of the population daily. The situation has seriously damaged economic activity and the population’s quality of life.

### Bloc and energy

The donations are part of agreements signed between Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, seeking to expand cooperation in strategic initiatives such as energy, transportation, food security and trade.

Cuba’s electricity generation comes from old thermoelectric plants – most of which are more than 30 years old – which require constant maintenance to operate. However, due to the US blockade on the country – considered illegal by most UN countries – Cuba has for decades faced serious financial difficulties in making the necessary investments and maintenance to keep its electricity system running.

The import of fuel, like any other good, is hampered by the sanctions that Washington unilaterally imposes on countries that trade with Cuba because any ship that arrives at a Cuban port is sanctioned, which generates staggering prices the island has to pay to import the products it needs.

In recent months, the Chinese government has donated various components for the installation of photovoltaic parks (renewable energies based on sunlight) on the Caribbean island. The region’s climatic conditions make sunlight the most favorable source of renewable energy for the country.

Currently, more than 95% of the country’s power generation comes from fossil fuels, while only 5% comes from renewable sources. Cuba aims to generate up to 25% of its electric energy from renewable sources over the next five years. By 2050, the aim is to cover the entire energy matrix with electricity generation based on renewable energy sources.

In mid-December, the Chinese government and Cuba officially announced the construction of several photovoltaic parks on the Caribbean island, with funds donated by the Asian country. It is estimated that these photovoltaic parks could save up to seven million US dollars.