After a turbulent 2023, world leaders are sending messages for 2024 to people around the globe, expressing their aspiration to maintain and develop shared peace and prosperity.
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| Chinese President and General Secretary Xi Jinping's 2024 New Year's message highlighted the country's achievements in recent years while outlining goals for national modernization and sustainable economic development. (Source: Xinhua News Agency) |
The world entered 2023 with expectations of post-pandemic economic growth, but in reality experienced a period of low and stagnant growth, facing numerous shocks such as high inflation, banking crises, and a decline in global industrial and trade production.
Although a multipolar, multicentered order is gradually taking shape, and peace, cooperation, and development are the major trends, the shift in power from West to East and North to South places the world before the risks of great power strategic competition and local conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, thereby challenging the role of international law and multilateral mechanisms in maintaining peace.
Amidst global uncertainties, world leaders are sending messages ahead of the new year, expressing their hope for 2024 to bring about positive and comprehensive changes, helping to restore the economy and stabilize politics, serving the well-being and happiness of people, and establishing sustainable global peace and prosperity.
Modernizing China
Speaking ahead of the end of the year, General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping highlighted the achievements the country has made in recent years, while also outlining goals for national modernization and sustainable economic development.
Similar to last year's message, Xi Jinping remains confident in the resilience of the Chinese economy, believing that as long as the people maintain unwavering faith and keep moving forward, the set goals will be achieved. Proof of this confidence is China's successful development of its first domestically built superyacht, the Shenzhou spacecraft, and the Fendouzhe manned submarine.
These achievements have contributed to making the lives of the Chinese people richer and more colorful, reflecting a vibrant and prosperous economy.
President Xi affirmed that China will promote the modernization of the country based on a new development model, fostering high-quality development while pursuing the goals of development and safeguarding national security.
China will strengthen reforms and opening up on a broad scale, promote vibrant economic development, and boost education, science, and technology development.
America is back!
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| President Joe Biden affirmed his belief in America's position on the international stage. (Source: Reuters) |
Having overcome many challenges in the past year, even facing the risk of a government shutdown, US President Joe Biden affirms his belief that, thanks to the increase in jobs, people now have better living conditions. Although Americans went through a difficult time due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the country has now risen and returned to normal.
Biden hopes everyone will have a healthy, happy, and peaceful new year, and believes that America is better positioned than any other country to lead the world.
Shaping the future of Russia
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| Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a New Year's message at the Kremlin, highlighting the country's significant achievements in 2023 and urging citizens to move forward and build the future. (Source: President of Russia) |
Last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin chose the Southern Military District as the location for his New Year's address amidst escalating conflict in Ukraine, aiming to boost the morale of soldiers on the front lines. This year, Putin delivered his New Year's message from the Kremlin, highlighting the country's significant achievements in 2023 and urging citizens to move forward and build the future.
The Russian leader emphasized unity and shared determination in his New Year's message. Besides the Ukraine conflict, he also addressed the economy and inflation, among other issues of concern to voters.
President Putin declared 2024 as "the year of the family," affirming that the country and people of Russia are united, supportive, and "resolutely defending national interests, freedom and security, as well as our values."
The humanist spirit of France
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| From the Elysee Palace in Paris, in his 2024 New Year's message, French President Emmanuel Macron reviewed 2023 with its domestic and international crises. (Source: Reuters) |
Speaking on television on the evening of December 31, French President Emmanuel Macron reviewed 2023, highlighting domestic and international crises ranging from pension reform debates to immigration reform, from urban unrest to economic upheaval, from global inflation to the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
Macron's speech this time reiterates last year's message, in which the leader affirmed that 2023 would be the year of pension reforms aimed at ensuring balance in the financial system, as well as addressing the energy crisis.
In addition, the French President highlighted major events that will unite the people of the country in 2024, such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, and the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings.
Regarding international issues, Macron hopes that the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East will end, and that the global economy will recover quickly. With the optimistic and humane spirit that Macron wishes to convey, leaving behind the difficulties of the past year, the French people joyfully welcome 2024 with renewed hope.
Resilient Germany
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| German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged citizens not to lose faith in the future amid a world experiencing numerous crises and changing at an increasingly rapid pace. (Source: AP) |
On the eve of the new year, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz affirmed that the country will have to adapt to a world that is "more unstable and harsh," but is certain to "overcome" it. At the same time, he urged citizens not to lose faith in the future amidst a world experiencing numerous crises and changing at an increasingly rapid pace.
While Scholz's 2023 message urged citizens to increase energy savings as the country faced an energy crisis due to the Eastern European conflict, this year the German Chancellor asserted that Berlin had averted an economic recession and had adequately prepared its energy reserves.
In addition, the leader emphasized the importance of the European Union (EU), especially during times of crisis.
He said: “Our strength lies in the EU. By presenting a united front, the union speaks for more than 400 million people. In a world of 8 billion, soon to be 10 billion, that is a real asset.”
Singapore is dynamic and inclusive.
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| Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong hopes the people will place their trust in the next generation of leaders. (Source: Council on Foreign Relations) |
In Southeast Asia, the people of Singapore welcomed the new year 2024 with greetings from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. He called on the people to work together to fulfill the nation's aspirations and ensure a bright future for Singapore.
Last year, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong urged citizens to maintain the Covid-19 prevention campaign in the post-pandemic era. This year, he focused on building a nation that is “dynamic and inclusive, fair and competitive, resilient and united,” based on the people's support for Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and the next generation of leaders.
Furthermore, Singapore's leaders also view climate change as a major challenge for the island nation. Therefore, Singapore needs to adapt and prepare for rising temperatures and sea levels, while simultaneously transforming its economy towards carbon neutrality.
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