On Chinese New Year’s Eve, Xi vows to confront challenges ‘without hesitation’

ISTANBUL

China’s President Xi Jinping on Monday said that Beijing will “confront" challenges "without hesitation," as the world's second-largest populated nation is set to celebrate Chinese New Year, according to the state media.

"We will undoubtedly break new ground in reform and development as long as we strengthen our conviction and confidence, confront problems and obstacles directly, and tackle risks and challenges without hesitation," Xi said.

He was speaking at a high-level reception to ring in the Chinese New Year.

In the coming year, Xi said China will “deepen reforms across the board, expand high-standard opening up, guard against and defuse risks in key areas and external shocks, and promote sustained economic recovery.”

"We demonstrated vitality and a can-do spirit. We endured storms and saw the rainbow," Xi said regarding last year’s challenges, emphasizing that the achievements of last year were "very encouraging."

Some 250 million people are expected to make intra-provincial trips in China on Wednesday when Chinese New Year falls.

During the 40-day Spring Festival, locally known as ‘chunyun,’ travel rush is expected to reach an unprecedented 9 billion across the nation.