China's economy, characterized by continuously unleashed domestic demand potential, a steady accumulation of new and high-quality growth drivers, and the deepening of high-standard opening-up, will remain a vital engine for global economic expansion.
Recently, the first-half economic report for 2026 was released, showing China's Gross Domestic Product reaching 69.5704 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 4.7% calculated at constant prices. The international community, through this "report card," has read the underlying strength and potential of the Chinese economy, with observations such as "demonstrating strong resilience," "presenting robust performance," and "related industries like artificial intelligence and renewable energy showing impressive results," further strengthening confidence in China's development prospects.
In the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China's economy withstood pressures to operate within a reasonable range, maintaining a generally stable, progressive, and quality-oriented development trajectory, showcasing formidable resilience and vitality. This also presents broader market prospects and cooperation opportunities for the world. In terms of incremental growth, the economic increase in the first half of the year was 3.6 trillion yuan, marking the largest increase for the same period in nearly five years.
Building upon an economic scale exceeding 140 trillion yuan and facing multiple external shocks such as global energy market volatility and supply chain restructuring, China's economy has continued to advance steadily. Production and supply have grown at a relatively fast pace, the employment situation has remained generally stable, prices have maintained a mild increase, livelihood safeguards have been solid and effective, and developmental resilience has been consistently demonstrated.
Not long ago, the International Monetary Fund released a report. While downgrading the global economic growth forecast for 2026, it simultaneously raised China's growth forecast by 0.2 percentage points. This contrast between a downward revision for the world and an upward revision for China confirms the widespread international optimism regarding China's economic outlook and highlights China's value as a significant engine for global economic growth.
The observation by Deutsche Presse-Agentur that "China is increasing support for future industries like artificial intelligence, expecting to cultivate new economic growth points" finds clear validation in China's first-half economic performance. During this period, the value-added of China's high-tech manufacturing industries above a designated size grew by 13.3% year-on-year. Artificial intelligence-related industries such as integrated circuit manufacturing and intelligent vehicle equipment manufacturing maintained high-speed growth exceeding 30%. New growth drivers represented by high-end manufacturing, the digital economy, and modern services contributed over 40% to economic growth, indicating a very distinct trend of economic structural optimization and upgrading.
Successful launches of multiple commercial rockets, steady progress in technological research in frontier areas like quantum information, integrated circuits, and nuclear fusion, continuous breakthroughs in the performance of large AI models, and the expanding application scenarios... China's innovation-driven development consistently adheres to an open and sharing philosophy. The industrial application of cutting-edge technologies not only injects endogenous momentum into its own economic growth but also provides new supplies and solutions for global industrial transformation and upgrading, fostering collaborative development across the global industrial chain.
At this year's FIFA World Cup, Chinese elements were ubiquitous, with Chinese air conditioners, fans, and refrigerators delivering "cool comfort" to consumers in many countries... In the first half of the year, China's total goods import and export value reached 25.4686 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 16.9%, solidifying its position as the world's largest goods trading nation. On the export side, exports of mechanical and electrical products grew by 20.1%, while exports of high-tech products and self-owned brands increased by 39% and 25.4% respectively. Chinese manufacturing is transitioning from "quantitative expansion" to "qualitative leap," continuously improving the global supply chain system while providing consumers worldwide with high-quality, cost-effective goods.
On the import side, total goods imports amounted to 10.7372 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 22.1%. China, with its continuously unleashed domestic demand potential, is no longer just the "world's factory" but has also become an "opportunity-rich world market." In May this year, China implemented zero-tariff measures for 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations. Subsequently, from May to June, China's imports from Africa grew by 23.5% year-on-year, serving as a vivid example of China's opening-up dividends benefiting the globe and fostering shared development with partners worldwide.
In the face of rising anti-globalization sentiment, China's pace of expanding openness has never stalled. It consistently creates opportunities for countries worldwide through its own development. As the world's second-largest consumer market, the largest online retail market, and the second-largest import market, China, with its stable and predictable development environment, comprehensive industrial system, efficient logistics network, and mature industrial supporting capabilities, continues to attract the convergence of global resources and factors.
An increasing number of multinational corporations are positioning China as a crucial part of their global strategy, deepening their presence in the Chinese market while enhancing their global competitiveness. Michael Heldmann, Chief Investment Officer for Equities at Allianz Global Investors, stated that the Chinese market possesses profound potential and abundant innovative vitality, "representing long-term investment opportunities." This is a direct reflection of international investors' confidence in China's development.
The resilient advancement and vigorous positive momentum of China's economy also represent significant positive news for global economic recovery. A China that continues to unleash its domestic demand potential, steadily accumulates new and high-quality growth drivers, and deepens high-standard opening-up will remain a crucial engine for world economic growth. China will persist in sharing development opportunities with countries worldwide through its own high-quality, sustainable development, driving the global economy towards robust, sustainable, balanced, and inclusive growth.