Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday emphasized efforts to achieve a strong start for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), calling on the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups to unite even more closely and continuously open up new prospects for advancing Chinese modernization. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a gathering held by China's top political advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), to usher in the new year. He hailed 2025 as an extraordinary year, when China accomplished main economic and social development goals, demonstrated strong economic resilience and vitality, and maintained overall social stability. The past year also marked the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), with China's overall national strength reaching a new level, Xi said. As 2026 marks the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan, he called for efforts from different aspects to achieve a good start for the new period. Xi stressed that the CPPCC should focus its consultative and deliberative work on the formulation and implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan, to gather extensive support and strength for advancing Chinese modernization. Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC, presided over the gathering. Other Party and state leaders including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng attended the event. Performers presented a show on site. Shotlist: Beijing, China - Dec 31, 2025: 1. Building of National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC); 2. Various of backdrop of New Year gathering of CPPCC National Committee, slogans calling for unity, glory; 3. Various of attendees at New Year gathering applauding when Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of Central Military Commission, other senior leaders entering hall; 4. Various of Xi delivering speech; 5. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Xi Jinping, Chinese President; General Secretary, CPC Central Committee; Chairman, Central Military Commission (partially overlaid with shots 6-12): "On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, the State Council and the Central Military Commission, I hereby extend my best wishes to non-Communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, personages without party affiliation, Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, overseas Chinese, and the friends from around the world who care and support China's modernization." [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]; 6. Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also member of Standing Committee of Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee, at gathering; 7. Zhao Leji, member of Standing Committee of Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee, at gathering; 8. Wang Huning, member of Standing Committee of Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee, at gathering; 9. Cai Qi, member of Standing Committee of Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee, at gathering; 10. Ding Xuexiang, member of Standing Committee of Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee, at gathering; 11. Li Xi, member of Standing Committee of Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee, at gathering; 12. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng at gathering [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]; 13. Various of attendees applauding; 14. Various of Xi delivering speech; attendees listening; 15. Various of attendees applauding; 16. Various of Wang Huning speaking; 17. Various of Cai Dafeng, chairman of Central Committee of China Association for Promoting Democracy, speaking; 18. Attendees at gathering; 19. Various of performances in progress; Xi, attendees watching performance, applauding; 20. Various of backdrop featuring unity, glory; 21. Various of Xi, other senior leaders, attendees, performers singing song "Unity is Strength"; 22. Various of Xi applauding, waving to attendees, performers; performers clapping hands. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]