China has achieved significant advancements across various fields by implementing essential policies that promote sustainable development. Its unwavering commitment has kept it at the forefront resulting in success stories emerging in every corner of the nation.
A report delivered at the Third Session of the 14th National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China on March 5, 2025 showcased numerous success stories achieved by the government reflecting its effective governance and positive impact. The report begins by stating that the year 2024 was a truly remarkable year in China’s development journey.
At its third plenary session, the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) set forth plans for further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. We celebrated the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, greatly inspiring patriotism and dedication in the Chinese people of all ethnic groups.
The report indicated that over the past year, in the face of complex and challenging developments marked by mounting external pressures and growing domestic difficulties, the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, have overcome difficulties and continued to forge ahead under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core.
“We ensured overall stable performance and steady growth of the economy and accomplished the main goals and tasks for economic and social development in 2024. Solid headway was made in pursuing high-quality development and fostering new quality productive forces. China’s economic strength, scientific and technological capabilities, and composite national strength continued to rise, and solid new strides were made in advancing Chinese modernization” the report elaborated.
These achievements is said to have filled the people with even greater confidence and resolve as they press forward on the new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects in the new era. Stable performance was consolidated and sustained, as demonstrated in the following areas:
Steady expansion of the economy: China’s gross domestic product (GDP) rose to 134.9 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5 percent. China ranks among the world’s fastest-growing major economies, continuing to contribute about 30 percent to global economic growth.
Generally stable employment and prices: A total of 12.56 million urban jobs were created, and surveyed urban unemployment rates averaged 5.1 percent. The consumer price index (CPI) increased by 0.2 percent.
A basic equilibrium in the balance of payments: Foreign trade reached a record high, and the global market share of China’s exports increased steadily. Foreign exchange reserves surpassed 3.2 trillion US dollars.
Steady progress in ensuring the people’s wellbeing: Per capita disposable income grew by 5.1 percent in real terms. Achievements made in poverty alleviation were further consolidated and expanded, and greater support was provided for compulsory education, basic old-age insurance, basic medical insurance and social assistance. Well-ordered and effective steps were taken to defuse risks in key areas helping ensure overall social stability.
Strong and solid progress was achieved, as shown in the following areas:
New advancements in industrial upgrading: Grain output hit a new high of 700 million metric tons, with the yield per hectare rising by 75.75 kilograms. The value added of high-tech manufacturing and equipment manufacturing rose by 8.9 percent and 7.7 percent respectively, and the output of new-energy vehicles passed the 13 million mark. The value added increased by 10.9 percent in the sectors of information transmission, software, and IT services and by 10.4 percent in leasing and business services.
Further enhancements in innovation capacity: New achievements were made in integrated circuits, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technology, and other areas. The Chang’e-6mission completed humanity’s first-ever sample collection from the far side of the moon, and the Mengxiang ocean drilling vessel was delivered and commissioned. The value of technology contract transactions increased by 11.2 percent.
New improvements in the environment: In cities at and above the prefectural level, the average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) fell by 2.7 percent, and the proportion of days with good or excellent air quality rose to 87.2 percent. The proportion of surface water with a good quality rating reached 90.4 percent. Energy consumption per unit of GDP dropped by more than 3 percent, and installed renewable energy capacity grew by 370 million kilowatts.
New breakthroughs in reform and opening up: the reform plans adopted at the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee were implemented with solid and effective steps, which included completing the reform of government institutions across the board, adopting major reform measures for building a unified national market, and gradually raising the statutory retirement age. All market access restrictions on foreign investment in the manufacturing sector were lifted, and trade and investment cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative was steadily expanded and upgraded.
Our achievements in 2024 did not come easily. The adverse impact of changes in the international environment increased, and some deep-seated structural problems that had been building up in the country for years came to a head. Sluggish domestic demand was compounded by weak public expectations along with other issues, and natural disasters like floods occurred frequently in some parts of China. All this added to the difficulty of maintaining economic and social stability
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 15 MARCH 2025
