On January 4, 2025, China held its inaugural science and technology-themed New Year gala, celebrating the nation's significant achievements in innovation over the past year. The event highlighted advancements in various sectors, including electric vehicles, artificial intelligence (AI), humanoid robots, drones, and brain-computer interfaces. President Xi Jinping's annual New Year message underscored the production of 10 million new energy vehicles and breakthroughs in integrated circuits and moon exploration, emphasizing the importance of high-quality development and self-reliance in science and technology for the coming year [60af657a].
This gala comes at a time when the ongoing tech war with the United States shows no signs of abating, particularly with the anticipated return of Donald Trump as president, which may further complicate relations. Xi's address reflected a commitment to overcoming challenges posed by external pressures and reaffirmed the need for China to bolster its technological capabilities [60af657a].
In conjunction with these celebrations, Chen Wenqing, China's top security official, has called for heightened safety measures ahead of the New Year and Spring Festival celebrations, emphasizing the need for increased street patrols and swift punishment for violent crimes following recent tragic incidents [4b6fc3d1].
The juxtaposition of the New Year gala's focus on scientific progress and the government's commitment to public safety illustrates a dual approach to addressing both national pride and security concerns as the country prepares for its festive season. The gala also showcased national projects such as deep-sea exploration and the FAST telescope, which were commended for their contributions to science and technology [60af657a].
As China navigates these complex dynamics, the emphasis on innovation and safety reflects a broader strategy to maintain stability and progress amid external challenges and internal aspirations for growth and development.