China unveils its 2026 Government Work Report, highlighting GDP targets, tech innovation hubs, talent reforms, and measures to boost people’s well-being.
China’s 2026 Government Work Report, released on March 5th, sets out a broader package of macroeconomic targets. Alongside the GDP growth, the report outlines key priorities for science, technology and people’s wellbeing for this year and the next five years.
Liu Ying, researcher at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies of Renmin University of China, believes that setting a growth target of 4.5% to 5% is centered on pursuing high-quality, efficient and more sustainable growth.
Despite the complex global situation, the easing of economic and trade frictions will drive a recovery in China’s exports. “Therefore, I am confident in achieving better results.”
Over the next five years, China expects to keep its GDP growth, with annual growth rates to be determined in light of actual conditions.
Marshall Mills, the International Monetary Fund’s senior resident representative in China, said that demand, supply and reform could combine to drive China’s economic growth, with significant potential for further expansion in the 15th Five-Year Plan period.
China will further reform the foreign investment framework. Authorities will expand services and protections for foreign-invested firms and further promote the “Invest in China” brand.
Developing New Quality Productive Forces
China’s new quality productive forces have been growing steadily. The report prioritises efforts to achieve greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology in 2026.
China will build three international centres for sci-tech innovation and turn them into world-class innovation engines, the report said.
Moreover, China seeks full integration between technological and industrial innovation. It aims to develop Beijing, Shanghai, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into international centres for scientific and technological innovation.
The report stresses the integrated development of education, science, technology, and talent. China will promote high-standard development of talent hubs and platforms and deepen reforms for talent development.
Recently, the IRON humanoid robot launched by Chinese enterprise Xpeng went viral on social media for its highly human-like “catwalk”. He Xiaopeng, Chairman and CEO of Xpeng Motors, believes humanoid robots are on the verge of an explosion. He said it will soon enter a critical strategic window for large-scale commercialization with huge market potential.
Improving People’s Well-being
China is actively improving people’s well-being, and will advance a proactive national strategy in response to population ageing, the report said.
The report prioritises elderly care services. The government will work to increase the supply of public-interest elderly care services.
On education, the report also calls for the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent. It proposes fostering new occupations and positions in line with the development of emerging industries and future-oriented sectors.
This year, China will step up comprehensive efforts to improve the environment, boost the green and low-carbon economy. The country will actively yet prudently work toward peaking carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality, said the report.
China will open wider to the outside world. Efforts will be made to expand market access and open up more areas, particularly in the service sector, the report said.
Additional reporting by CNS, Xinhua, and China Daily.
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