China’s 2025 Modernization: Xi Jinping’s Vision for People, Economy, and Culture
As 2025 draws to a close, China finds itself at a defining juncture in its modernization drive. The 14th Five-Year Plan is concluding, while preparations are underway for the launch of the 15th. From industrial centers and innovation hubs to rural villages and historic sites, President Xi Jinping’s inspection tours and key central meetings this year offer insight into how the country is managing domestic governance and mapping out its next stage of development.
People-focused modernization
“A good life for every household, and security for the elderly and children, is our vision of a beautiful society,” Xi said during an inspection in Liaoning Province in January, underscoring a guiding principle: modernization must ultimately enhance the well-being of the people.
Despite harsh winter conditions, Xi traveled nearly an hour along winding mountain roads to Zhuangjiagou Village to visit families affected by flooding. “I have kept you in mind and wanted to see you before the Spring Festival,” he told residents, reaffirming that the Party and government stand with the people during times of hardship and will support recovery and reconstruction.
Across his 2025 inspection trips, Xi consistently stressed livelihood issues such as food security, rural development, job creation, housing, public services and environmental protection. When natural disasters struck—including a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Dingri County, landslides in Sichuan’s Junlian County, and flash floods in Gansu’s Yuzhong County—he promptly issued directives to mobilize rescue efforts, prioritize saving lives and reduce losses.
As guidance for drafting the 15th Five-Year Plan, Xi also emphasized the importance of hearing public concerns and gathering collective wisdom, ensuring that modernization reflects shared aspirations and delivers tangible improvements to daily life.
High-quality development at the core
“To respond to the uncertainties of a rapidly changing external environment, we must rely on the certainty of high-quality development,” Xi said at an April Politburo meeting, highlighting the need to strengthen the real economy, upgrade industries and advance technological innovation.
That same month, Xi visited an AI incubator in Shanghai shortly after chairing a Politburo group study session on artificial intelligence, calling for closer integration between AI breakthroughs and industrial applications.
Xi has repeatedly emphasized that the real economy—the foundation of goods and services production—remains central to China’s economic strength. During a July visit to Yangquan Valve Company in Shanxi Province, he reiterated that traditional industries should not be sidelined but revitalized through innovation and modernization.
Reinforcing cultural roots
“China’s cultural treasures must be carefully preserved, passed down and brought to life,” Xi said during a May inspection in Henan, reflecting his view that culture underpins national vitality.
During an October visit to Beijing’s Palace Museum, he noted that cultural relics “belong to the people and should serve the people,” calling for stronger protection, restoration and creative use so heritage can educate the public and help the world better understand China.
Revolutionary history also remains a key pillar of cultural identity. Throughout the year, Xi visited multiple revolutionary sites, stressing the importance of preserving the memory and spirit of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
At commemorative events marking the 60th anniversary of the Xizang Autonomous Region and the 70th anniversary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Xi led central delegations, highlighting ethnic solidarity and the shared goal of building a unified Chinese nation.
Ahead of the Victory Day military parade at Tiananmen Square on September 3, Xi declared that “the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation cannot be stopped,” expressing confidence that peace and development will ultimately prevail.
Expanding horizons through reform and opening up
“So long as we strengthen confidence, confront challenges head-on, and respond decisively to risks, we will continue to achieve new breakthroughs in reform and development,” Xi reiterated in 2025, presenting reform and opening up as essential to overcoming structural constraints, supporting private enterprises and building a unified national market.
In meetings with international business leaders, he reaffirmed that China’s commitment to opening up remains firm and that policies supporting foreign investment will stay consistent and stable.
At the fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee, the framework for the 15th Five-Year Plan was further refined under Xi’s leadership. As 2025 comes to an end, China stands ready to move into a new phase—turning strategic vision into concrete action with clear goals and a steady course toward modernization.
People-focused modernization
“A good life for every household, and security for the elderly and children, is our vision of a beautiful society,” Xi said during an inspection in Liaoning Province in January, underscoring a guiding principle: modernization must ultimately enhance the well-being of the people.
Despite harsh winter conditions, Xi traveled nearly an hour along winding mountain roads to Zhuangjiagou Village to visit families affected by flooding. “I have kept you in mind and wanted to see you before the Spring Festival,” he told residents, reaffirming that the Party and government stand with the people during times of hardship and will support recovery and reconstruction.
Across his 2025 inspection trips, Xi consistently stressed livelihood issues such as food security, rural development, job creation, housing, public services and environmental protection. When natural disasters struck—including a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Dingri County, landslides in Sichuan’s Junlian County, and flash floods in Gansu’s Yuzhong County—he promptly issued directives to mobilize rescue efforts, prioritize saving lives and reduce losses.
As guidance for drafting the 15th Five-Year Plan, Xi also emphasized the importance of hearing public concerns and gathering collective wisdom, ensuring that modernization reflects shared aspirations and delivers tangible improvements to daily life.
High-quality development at the core
“To respond to the uncertainties of a rapidly changing external environment, we must rely on the certainty of high-quality development,” Xi said at an April Politburo meeting, highlighting the need to strengthen the real economy, upgrade industries and advance technological innovation.
That same month, Xi visited an AI incubator in Shanghai shortly after chairing a Politburo group study session on artificial intelligence, calling for closer integration between AI breakthroughs and industrial applications.
Xi has repeatedly emphasized that the real economy—the foundation of goods and services production—remains central to China’s economic strength. During a July visit to Yangquan Valve Company in Shanxi Province, he reiterated that traditional industries should not be sidelined but revitalized through innovation and modernization.
Reinforcing cultural roots
“China’s cultural treasures must be carefully preserved, passed down and brought to life,” Xi said during a May inspection in Henan, reflecting his view that culture underpins national vitality.
During an October visit to Beijing’s Palace Museum, he noted that cultural relics “belong to the people and should serve the people,” calling for stronger protection, restoration and creative use so heritage can educate the public and help the world better understand China.
Revolutionary history also remains a key pillar of cultural identity. Throughout the year, Xi visited multiple revolutionary sites, stressing the importance of preserving the memory and spirit of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
At commemorative events marking the 60th anniversary of the Xizang Autonomous Region and the 70th anniversary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Xi led central delegations, highlighting ethnic solidarity and the shared goal of building a unified Chinese nation.
Ahead of the Victory Day military parade at Tiananmen Square on September 3, Xi declared that “the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation cannot be stopped,” expressing confidence that peace and development will ultimately prevail.
Expanding horizons through reform and opening up
“So long as we strengthen confidence, confront challenges head-on, and respond decisively to risks, we will continue to achieve new breakthroughs in reform and development,” Xi reiterated in 2025, presenting reform and opening up as essential to overcoming structural constraints, supporting private enterprises and building a unified national market.
In meetings with international business leaders, he reaffirmed that China’s commitment to opening up remains firm and that policies supporting foreign investment will stay consistent and stable.
At the fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee, the framework for the 15th Five-Year Plan was further refined under Xi’s leadership. As 2025 comes to an end, China stands ready to move into a new phase—turning strategic vision into concrete action with clear goals and a steady course toward modernization.
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