China's economic output has officially surpassed the "140 trillion yuan" threshold! The 2025 Chinese economic report card was released on January 19. Over the past year, despite a complex and severe landscape marked by drastic shifts in the external environment and increasing domestic difficulties and challenges, the Chinese economy still achieved a growth rate of 5.0%, ranking among the top performers of major economies, making this report card particularly commendable. The contrast between the "difficulties" faced and the "achievements" secured reveals the underlying momentum of high-quality development in the Chinese economy, embodying the formula for forging ahead courageously through headwinds.
Maintaining resolve and solidifying the foundation have consolidated the momentum of "stability." Despite deepening adverse external influences, China has persisted in basing its development on its own strengths, using the certainty of high-quality development to counter the uncertainty of a rapidly changing external environment. The gross domestic product (GDP) reached a new high, exceeding 140 trillion yuan for the first time; the scale of trade in goods hit a new record; grain output remained stable at 1.4 trillion jin for two consecutive years; and the value-added of the manufacturing sector has led the world for 16 straight years... A series of policies were implemented solidly and provided strong support, enabling the Chinese economy to stabilize its development base and consolidate its foundation amidst turbulence.
Actively embracing change and seeking breakthroughs in innovation have accumulated the kinetic energy for "progress." By seeking momentum from reforms, the construction of a unified national market has advanced in depth, the law on promoting the private economy has been implemented, and effective results have been seen in the comprehensive rectification of "involution-style" competition; by seeking vitality from opening up, the Hainan Free Trade Port commenced full island customs closure operations, the negative list for foreign investment access has been continuously shortened, and the "circle of friends" for visa-free travel has continued to expand; by pursuing development through innovation, a number of major scientific research achievements have emerged successively, the innovation index ranking entered the global top ten for the first time, and new quality productive forces have continued to develop and strengthen... China has directly confronted problems and challenges, steadfastly deepened reform and opening up, and persisted in innovation-driven leadership, continuously strengthening its endogenous drivers of development and staying power.
Advancing under pressure while enhancing both scale and quality demonstrates its "resilient" character. Although the global trade and economic order suffered severe setbacks and the domestic transition between old and new growth drivers involved some growing pains, China's economy still achieved a "quantitative leap" and a "qualitative improvement," fully demonstrating its ability to adapt, navigate challenges, and break new ground, 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, the diversified structure for stabilizing foreign trade is accelerating its formation, and high-tech, high-value-added products have become the main drivers of export growth. Looking globally, China's economic growth rate ranks among the highest of the major economies, making it the most stable and reliable source of power for global economic growth.
This report card is a true portrayal of the Chinese economy's solid foundation, multiple advantages, strong resilience, and vast potential, and it serves 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 maintain firm confidence in development, uphold strategic resolve, focus our efforts, and forge ahead with determination, we will undoubtedly be able to overcome the difficulties and challenges on the road ahead, propelling the Chinese economy to ride the waves and advance steadily and sustainably.
Comments