China economy

China touts high-tech push as rivalry with US intensifies

It set its economic growth target for 2026 at 4.5 to 5 per cent

Consumer and business confidence has stayed weak and investment is contracting under pressure from deflation and a years-long property slump.

China keeps record-high budget deficit target to spur growth

The Asian nation has now set the official deficit at above 3% of GDP five times since 2020

The shift signals Beijing’s comfort with a slower pace while seeking more sustainable growth drivers to replace debt-fuelled property and infrastructure investment.

China sets lowest growth target since 1991 as old model falters

A lower target also reduces the pressure on officials to deploy aggressive stimulus despite a volatile global trade environment

Total retail sales of consumer goods exceeded 50 trillion yuan for the first time last year, says National People’s Congress spokesperson Lou Qinjian.

China targets ways to boost domestic demand for economic growth

Policymakers have been struggling to reverse stubborn weakness in domestic demand

An employee works an electric vehicle production line at the Volkswagen Anhui factory in Hefei, China, Feb 4, 2026.

China’s factory activity contracts for second month in February

Premier Li Qiang is expected to announce the country’s official 2026 growth target on Thursday

The world’s largest container carriers are rerouting ships to avoid the Persian Gulf, while major e-commerce platforms are warning of longer delivery times to the Middle East.

Chinese trade volumes were on record path before Iran war shock

The trade boom has helped the economy overcome a domestic slowdown

China’s social security safety net is meagre, especially for those living in the countryside, which encourages so-called precautionary savings.

Xi eyes consumers to lead new era for China’s unbalanced economy

Healthcare and education are tightly restricted industries as Beijing seeks to avoid a cost spiral that deepens social inequality

The meeting takes on added importance as Chinese policymakers will outline priorities tied to a new five-year plan.

China’s policy summit puts tech, stimulus in focus for investors

Officials are expected to set a 2026 growth target of 4.5 to 5%

China produced 1.17 million gigawatt-hours of electricity from solar power in 2025, up 40% on a year earlier.

China’s solar power generation overtakes wind for first time

The rapid growth of renewables helps China meet its growing electricity consumption last year

Demand has remained subdued despite rounds of policy support since the China property sector slid into crisis in 2021.

China’s new home prices fall at fastest pace in over 3 years in February, survey shows

The prolonged property downturn has eroded household wealth, crimping consumption