Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed the new year with an upbeat speech to the nation complete with rainbows, claims of economic recovery and concern for the struggles of ordinary Chinese that commentators said belied simmering public anger over his handling of the economy. “Together, we have experienced winds and rains and seen rainbows,” Xi told the nation in a speech marking the start to 2025 on Wednesday. “China’s economy has rebounded and is on an upward trajectory ... Splendor adorns our motherland, and starlight graces every home,” he said.
Xi’s speech name-checked his signature Belt and Road program and the China-Africa summit, as well as the country’s bid to produce cutting-edge technology in the face of U.S. export bans. China’s huge haul of gold medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics and the 25th anniversary of the handover of Macau were also named as milestones in 2024.But Xi’s speech came as many ordinary people in China are struggling to get by, commentators told RFA.
