China's economic aggregate has surpassed the "140 trillion yuan" mark! The report card for the Chinese economy in 2025 was released on January 19. Over the past year, despite confronting a complex and severe landscape characterized by rapidly shifting external conditions and a rise in domestic difficulties and challenges, the Chinese economy still managed to grow at a rate of 5.0%, ranking among the top performers of major economies, making this achievement particularly commendable. The contrast between the "difficulties" faced and the "successes" achieved illuminates the overarching trend of high-quality development in the Chinese economy, encapsulating the formula for forging ahead courageously against the odds.
Maintaining strategic focus and consolidating the foundation have solidified the momentum of "stability." Even as adverse external influences intensified, China persisted in basing its development on its own strengths, using the certainty of high-quality development to counter the uncertainties born from the volatile external environment. The gross domestic product (GDP) reached a new high of over 140 trillion yuan for the first time, the scale of trade in goods hit a fresh record, grain output remained stable at 1.4 trillion jin for two consecutive years, and the value-added of the manufacturing sector retained its position as the world's largest for the 16th year running… A series of policies were implemented solidly and provided strong support, enabling the Chinese economy to stabilize its foundational development structure and reinforce its developmental roots amidst turbulent waves.
Proactively embracing change and making new breakthroughs have accumulated the kinetic energy for "progress." Seeking dynamism from reform, the construction of a unified national market advanced in depth, the Private Economy Promotion Law came into effect, and results from the comprehensive rectification of "involution-style" competition became apparent; seeking vitality from openness, the Hainan Free Trade Port initiated island-wide customs closure operations, the negative list for foreign investment access was continually shortened, and the "circle of friends" for visa-free travel continued to expand; pursuing development through innovation, a batch of major scientific research achievements emerged successively, the innovation index ranking entered the global top ten for the first time, and new quality productive forces continued to develop and strengthen… China has directly confronted problems and challenges, resolutely deepened reform and opening up, and persistently led with innovation, continuously enhancing its endogenous driving force and long-term potential for development.
Advancing under pressure while enhancing both scale and quality demonstrates the characteristic of "resilience." Despite severe impacts on the global trade order and the inevitable pains associated with the transition between old and new domestic growth drivers, China's economy still accomplished a "leap in scale" alongside an "improvement in quality," fully showcasing its capacity to adapt and navigate challenges, as well as its resilience to withstand pressure in an unstable and uncertain environment. Currently, China is a major trading partner for over 150 countries and regions, with an accelerated formation of a diversified pattern for stabilizing foreign trade, and high-tech, high-value-added products have become the main force driving export growth. Looking globally, China's economic growth rate ranks among the foremost of major economies, serving as the most stable and reliable power source for global economic growth.
This report card is a true portrayal of China's stable economic foundation, multiple advantages, strong resilience, and vast potential, serving as a vivid footnote to high-quality development. With the successful conclusion of the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, a new and magnificent journey has begun. As long as we strengthen our confidence in development, maintain strategic resolve, focus our efforts, and forge ahead with determination, we will undoubtedly overcome the difficulties and challenges on the road ahead, propelling the Chinese economy to break through the waves and advance steadily and far.
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