Xi's New Year address inspires renewed dedication to China's modernization

People across various sectors have renewed their determination to forge a brighter future for China's modernization after hearing President Xi Jinping's New Year message on Tuesday.

On New Year's eve, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered his 2025 New Year message through China Media Group and the Internet. In his speech, he recognized individual efforts in China's modernization journey.

"Dreams and wishes may be far, but they can be fulfilled with dedicated pursuit. On the new journey of Chinese modernization, everyone is a key actor, every effort counts, and every ray of light shines," he said.

People engaged in the construction of China's major projects have reaffirmed their commitment to working hard and deeply understood the importance of their work in opening up broader prospects for China's modernization.

"In the new year, we will continue to exemplify the leading role of model workers and craftsmen, fulfilling our dreams through diligent, honest, and creative work, and contributing to building a world-class seaport," said Xu Zhenchao, a recipient of the title of People's Craftsman and senior manager at the Qianwan Container Terminal of Qingdao Port in east China.

"Over 20,000 builders are making efforts to strive for connectivity and maritime prosperity. In the new year, we will advance the construction of the Pinglu Canal with high standards, quality, and efficiency, ensuring its completion in 2026," said Wang Xianzhang, an official of Pinglu Canal Project in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

The Pinglu Canal is a flagship project on the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, an important trade and logistics passage jointly built by provincial-level regions in western China and ASEAN members.

Government officials also expressed their commitment to fostering high-quality economic development and cultivating new quality productive forces.

"The President Xi's New Year message provides strong spiritual motivation and guidance for our grassroots work. We will continue to optimize the business environment with greater enthusiasm, a more pragmatic approach, and stronger measures, stimulating market vitality and social creativity to promote high-quality economic development," said Chen Ze, deputy director of Zhongguan Town Economic Development Office, Deqing County in east China's Zhejiang Province.

"We will develop new quality productive forces in light of actual conditions, consolidates the advantages of high-end industrial clusters such as artificial intelligence, and instill unceasing dynamism of innovation into the modernization process," said Li Junjie, mayor of Beijing's Haidian District.

In his speech, President Xi reaffirmed his commitment to the policy of "one country, two systems", emphasizing its importance for the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao.

Representatives from both Special Administrative Regions expressed confidence in a brighter future, inspired by President Xi's encouraging words.

"The bright prospects presented by China's modernization are incredibly inspiring and moving. With the firm support of our great motherland and the guidance of the 'one country, two systems' policy, we are full of confidence in the future. The 'Pearl of the Orient' will shine even brighter," said Zhang Zuojiao, member of 14th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee.

"We firmly believe that with the strong support of our motherland and the safeguard of 'one country, two systems' policy, Macao will continue to leverage its unique advantages and integrate into the overall national development," said Grace Wong Kit-cheng, member of the Legislative Assembly of Macao.

Xi's New Year address inspires renewed dedication to China's modernization

A 25 percent import tariff on all foreign-built vehicles entering the United States has raised serious concerns for manufacturers in South Africa.

Automotive giants like Mercedes and BMW have long used South Africa as a base for global exports -- but those plans may be shifting into reverse gear after the U.S. announced the punitive measures.

"If you take, for example, BMW, 97 percent of the X3 that we are producing in Rosslyn is exported out of the country. We only sell 3 percent in South Africa, and there's a huge number of those vehicles that also go into the U.S. So there are companies in South Africa that are purely here not because they are selling vehicles in South Africa; they are here to produce vehicles for the global market, and it's important for them to remain globally competitive," said Mike Mabasa, CEO of the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa.

U.S. automaker Ford, which has deep roots in South Africa, is also in the crosshairs.

The company recently invested over 300 million U.S. dollars to upgrade its Silverton plant in Pretoria, South Africa, for the production of the world's only plug-in hybrid Ranger, which has just entered production but could face delays or restrictions.

"If an American citizen wants to buy specifically a Ford Ranger that is a plug-in hybrid, they can only place an order in South Africa, nowhere else in the world. So, that means, obviously, the capacity of Ford to be able to produce those vehicles in big volumes is going to be constrained, because Americans are going be looking at another Ford that is produced in another country, or even in the United States," said Mabasa.

South Africa has long enjoyed duty-free automotive exports to the U.S. under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, but that relationship now hangs in the balance.

A sharp shift in U.S. foreign policy threatens to derail an industry that employs thousands and contributes around 5 percent to the country's economy.

"We produce less than 1 percent of global automotive vehicles, so to say. So, in reality, the impact on us is likely to be more disproportionate than those of our peers that produce at the same level. And the risk is actually created -- a concentration risk -- in countries that have greater capacity and are building more; in those countries will be able to absorb some of this," said Parks Tau, South Africa's minister of trade and industry.

Amid growing concerns about overreliance on the U.S. market, Amith Singh, national manager for manufacturing at Nedbank Commercial Bank, emphasized the importance of tapping into regional trade opportunities.

"I think we need to make better use of some of our local agreements, our African continental agreements. How do we leverage that? How do we partner with the government and private sector to start benefiting the countries and the economies aside from the United States? So, those could be the catalyst to drive our localization projects; it could be what we need to drive the African economy as opposed to being completely reliant on the States (United States)," he said.

South Africa is for now standing firm in its decision not to retaliate against steep U.S. import tariffs, set to take effect in just a few days.

Officials in Pretoria acknowledge the challenges posed by the current U.S. administration but are pursuing a diplomatic approach in hopes of maintaining stable relations and preserving the African Growth and Opportunity Act.

US tariffs rock South Africa’s auto industry