Xi hails China's achievements in difficult year, hopes for the best for HK people

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivering his New Year speech on Tuesday (Dec 31) evening in Beijing to ring in 2020. Xinhua/ANN

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a televised New Year's address hailing his country’s achievements over the past year, despite roiling protests in Hong Kong, condemnation of China's detention of Uighur Muslims and a trade war.

He lauded the opening of Beijing's new Daxing International Airport, the Chang’e 5 lunar probe landing, the successful test launch of the Long March 5 rocket, government anti-poverty efforts, and the commissioning of the China's first domestically built aircraft carrier.