The world is currently navigating a period of intense turbulence marked by geopolitical, geo-economic, and technological shifts, signaling a transition from the old order established post-World War II towards a new, yet unformed, order—one whose center of gravity is shifting from the North Atlantic to the Asia-Pacific region. The former dominant powers are striving to maintain their influence, employing various means to obstruct the rise of emerging forces with greater developmental potential. Consequently, we observe a declining geopolitical actor resorting to aggressive actions in an attempt to sustain neocolonial dominance in its Western Hemisphere "backyard," while simultaneously disengaging from regions where control has become too costly or difficult. Imperial overreach has led to fiscal depletion, economic decline, social inequality, and rising risks of political fragmentation within these powers. Against this perilous backdrop, the emergence of stabilizing forces becomes increasingly crucial. China, leveraging its growing industrial production weight, societal innovative vitality, and capacity to redistribute income to its populace, is positioning itself as a central pillar of the still-evolving international order. This Asian nation, in collaboration with other Global South powers such as the BRICS countries, is becoming a key force capable of curbing international market chaos, rebuilding global value chains, reducing uncertainties in the monetary and financial systems, steadfastly addressing climate change, and stabilizing investor confidence. To this end, China and its partners have already established alternative payment mechanisms in international trade and development financing, particularly in urgently needed infrastructure sectors, as exemplified by the Belt and Road Initiative. This major Asian power plays an increasingly vital role in defending multilateralism and has become a significant source of technological cooperation, financial assistance, and technology transfer for emerging and developing nations, making substantial contributions to safeguarding world peace, consolidating the foundations for shared prosperity, and fostering solidarity among nations.

In 2025, against a global backdrop of escalating turmoil, frequent geopolitical conflicts, and sluggish economic growth in many regions, China's economic performance significantly surpassed the expectations of Western analysts. International institutions including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have successively upgraded their growth forecasts for China, underscoring the resilience of the Chinese economy in confronting both global and domestic challenges, as well as the notable effectiveness of its macroeconomic policies aimed at stimulating consumption. Despite facing external protectionist pressures, China's exports achieved a growth rate of 6.1% in 2025, demonstrating its competitive advantages and the success of its strategic pivot towards new technologies and markets—this shift has not only reduced reliance on European and American markets but also significantly expanded trade volumes with regions such as ASEAN, Africa, Latin America, and Central Asia. In fact, China recorded its highest-ever trade surplus, with the total value of goods trade reaching unprecedented heights. Contrary to Western criticisms of so-called Chinese "mercantilism," China has maintained its position as the world's second-largest importer for 17 consecutive years, with imports of goods and services exceeding $15 trillion during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. Guided by the proposals for the 15th Five-Year Plan, China is committed to promoting balanced development of imports and exports. This highlights China's commitment to sharing the opportunities and outcomes of its growth with its trading partners.

Although China achieved dual progress in 2025 in terms of GDP growth and development quality—encompassing the green economy, technological innovation, and poverty eradication—misunderstandings about its performance persist in some quarters abroad. Some Western observers underestimate the breadth of China's current technological innovation. In reality, the rapid development of high-tech industries is injecting new vitality into the Chinese economy. For instance, from January to November 2025, the value-added output of large-scale high-tech manufacturing increased by 9.2% year-on-year, the value-added output of digital product manufacturing grew by 9.3%, and the production of industrial robots and integrated circuits surged by 29.2% and 10.6%, respectively. The annual GDP growth target of around 5% for 2025 was not only met but also set a solid foundation for robust and resilient economic growth in 2026. China is actively addressing potential cyclical uncertainties, protectionism, and geopolitical threats originating from abroad, while simultaneously providing a safe harbor for foreign investment, building bridges for dialogue, and collectively working towards a more open, inclusive, and peaceful world.