Published by ChinaMNC · Shuyang

What Xi's 77th Anniversary Speech Signals for Foreign Founders Operating in China

A practical reading of the September 30, 2026 anniversary speech for foreign founders: policy continuity, the 15th Five-Year Plan, reform and opening up, and what it means for company registration and operations in China.

On September 30, 2026, President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at a reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, as reported by Xinhua. The address is a high-level policy statement rather than a business advisory, but for foreign founders registering or running a company in China, several themes in the text are worth tracking because they signal the direction of economic policy in the period ahead.

Policy Continuity Is the Core Message

The speech opens with formal greetings to a broad set of groups, including people of all ethnicities, the military, democratic parties and personages without party affiliation, and compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan as well as overseas Chinese. It also thanks foreign countries and international friends who have long supported China's development. For foreign founders, the inclusion of international friends is a reminder that the official framing treats foreign participation in China's development as welcome, even as the operating environment remains regulated.

The speech describes 77 years of effort under the Party's leadership as producing two outcomes: rapid economic development and long-term social stability. It states that the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects has been achieved, and that the country is now moving toward the second centenary goal of building a great modern socialist country. It also expresses confidence in the prospects of Chinese-style modernization. These are declaratory statements of direction, not commitments to specific commercial policies.

The 15th Five-Year Plan and the Current Economic Line

For founders, the most concrete passage concerns this year's work. The speech says that the whole Party and country have compiled and begun implementing the 15th Five-Year Plan, advanced work across various areas, and responded effectively to risks and challenges. It describes the economy as holding up under pressure, moving toward new and better quality, and showing strong resilience and vitality.

Looking forward, the speech sets out a set of guiding principles for economic work. These include:

• Seeking progress while maintaining stability as the general tone of economic work.
• Fully and accurately applying the new development philosophy and accelerating the construction of a new development pattern.
• Further deepening reform and opening up.
• Better coordinating development and security.
• Promoting sustained, better-quality economic development and safeguarding and improving people's livelihoods.
• Completing the year's targets and achieving a good start for the 15th Five-Year Plan.

Two phrases here matter most for foreign investors. "Reform and opening up" being described as something to deepen further is the standard official signal that foreign investment and trade frameworks remain part of the policy agenda. "Coordinating development and security" is the standard signal that regulatory oversight, data rules and compliance expectations will continue alongside market access. Founders should read the two together rather than treating either as isolated.

Hong Kong, Macao and Cross-Strait Arrangements

The speech restates firm adherence to "one country, two systems," the principles of Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong and Macao people governing Macao, and a high degree of autonomy. It expresses support for Hong Kong and Macao better integrating into and serving the country's overall development, and maintaining long-term prosperity and stability.

For founders, Hong Kong and Macao are frequently used as holding or regional structures for China operations. The speech reaffirms policy continuity toward both, which is relevant background if you are choosing an entity structure. On Taiwan, the speech calls for deepening cross-strait exchanges and cooperation, firmly opposing "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and external interference, and promoting peaceful development of cross-strait relations and national reunification. Founders with cross-strait exposure should note that this language reflects the existing official position rather than any new measure.

Foreign Policy and the Global Context

The speech commits to an independent foreign policy of peace, to advancing the implementation of four global initiatives, and to building a community with a shared future for mankind. It frames this as injecting greater certainty and positive energy into a world described as turbulent and intertwined.

For companies with international supply chains, this is the framing under which China presents itself as a stable partner. It does not change registration or licensing rules, but it is useful context for understanding how official communications position foreign economic engagement.

Institutional Confidence and the Practical Takeaway

The closing section argues that the socialist system with Chinese characteristics has demonstrated great advantages after long exploration and practice, that the country's governance system and capacity are steadily modernizing, and that national rejuvenation is unstoppable. It calls for confidence, fixed goals and steady progress.

What should a foreign founder take from this? First, expect continuity: the speech does not announce a policy pivot. Second, expect the 15th Five-Year Plan to be the organizing framework for economic policy in the coming period, so sector-level rules will increasingly reference it. Third, expect both openness and oversight to be described as simultaneous priorities, so plan for compliance capacity from the start rather than after incorporation. Fourth, treat Hong Kong and Macao policy as stable for structuring purposes.

None of this is a substitute for checking the specific rules that apply to your industry, entity type and location. Registration requirements, capital rules, tax treatment and licensing are set by statutes and implementing regulations, not by anniversary speeches. Use the speech to understand direction, and use the applicable regulations and professional advice to make decisions.

Next step: foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535 for help registering and operating a company in China.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.