CGTN: How does China set tone for economic work in 2026?

Published: Friday, December 12, 2025 at 4:16 am

China Outlines Economic Priorities for 2026, Signaling Confidence and Global Opportunity

Beijing, December 11, 2025 – China's annual Central Economic Work Conference, attended by President Xi Jinping, has concluded, setting the tone for the country's economic agenda in 2026. The meeting, held on December 10th and 11th, focused on reviewing 2025's economic performance and outlining key priorities for the upcoming year, the first of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).

The conference emphasized a strategy of "pursuing progress while ensuring stability" and "improving both quality and effectiveness." Eight core tasks were identified, including boosting domestic demand, promoting innovation, deepening reform and opening-up, advancing low-carbon development, and enhancing people's livelihoods.

A primary focus for 2026 will be strengthening domestic consumption as the engine of economic growth. Policymakers plan to implement measures to stimulate spending, optimize policies related to equipment upgrades and consumer goods trade-ins, and remove restrictions in the consumer sector. Data indicates the resilience of China's consumer market in 2025, with final consumption expenditure contributing significantly to GDP growth. Retail sales of consumer goods also saw a year-over-year increase.

Innovation will remain a crucial driver of development. China aims to establish international innovation hubs and will focus on enterprise-led innovation, intellectual property protection, service-sector capabilities, and AI development. The country's commitment to innovation is reflected in its high ranking on the 2025 Global Innovation Index.

The conference also reaffirmed China's commitment to opening up to the world. Plans include expanding opening in the services sector, optimizing free trade zones, and advancing the Hainan Free Trade Port. Despite global challenges, China's foreign trade has shown resilience.

A recent survey indicates that a majority of respondents believe China's efforts to boost domestic consumption and expand opening-up will create significant opportunities for international companies and broader development worldwide.

BNN's Perspective:

The emphasis on domestic consumption and innovation, coupled with a continued commitment to opening up, suggests a pragmatic approach to navigating global economic uncertainties. While China's economic trajectory remains a subject of international scrutiny, the outlined priorities offer a degree of predictability and potential opportunities for global partners. The success of these initiatives will be crucial in shaping China's economic future and its role in the global economy.

Keywords: China, economy, 2026, Central Economic Work Conference, domestic demand, innovation, opening-up, GDP, consumption, trade, Xi Jinping, Five-Year Plan, global economy, economic growth, policy

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