What is the economic outlook for China in 2026? A press conference held by the State Council Information Office on the morning of January 20 conveyed confidence through remarks from relevant officials of the National Development and Reform Commission: "As long as we fully tap economic potential, focus on promoting reform and innovation, and persistently strengthen our internal capabilities, we are fully confident, capable, qualified, and confident to ensure a good start and smooth launch for the '16th Five-Year Plan' period."

After listening to the entire conference, two key impressions of the Chinese economy stand out prominently.

First, the potential is immense. Industrial momentum is strong, with new economic growth points such as new energy, new materials, aerospace, quantum technology, biomanufacturing, and embodied intelligence poised for takeoff. Market demand is vast; today's China is the world's most promising and rapidly growing super-large market, leading globally in the volume of physical consumption related to basic necessities. In 2025, domestic demand contributed over 67% to economic growth. There is significant depth in development space. Within the national framework, central and western regions account for 82% of the area, 53% of the population, and 40% of the total economic output. While their economic growth has recently outpaced the national average, gaps remain in industrialization and urbanization levels—precisely where future potential lies. In 2025, China's automobile production and sales both exceeded 34 million units, setting new historical records.

Second, there are numerous concrete measures. Innovation is being strategized, with a batch of high-tech industries and landmark, leading major projects for the "16th Five-Year Plan" period currently being planned and advanced. Domestic demand is being expanded; to enhance residents' consumption capacity, relevant authorities are researching and formulating actions to stabilize, expand, and improve employment, along with plans to increase urban and rural incomes. An implementation plan for the strategy to expand domestic demand from 2026 to 2030 will also be developed and released. Circulation is being smoothed; relevant departments will focus on key issues such as low-price, disorderly competition among enterprises, local government procurement tendering, and investment promotion, aiming to eliminate bottlenecks and deeply advance the construction of a unified national market. Coordination is being promoted through the continuous and in-depth advancement of regional strategies like the large-scale development of the western region and the rise of the central region, transforming potential advantages and spatial resources into economic strengths and tangible development outcomes.

In the coming year, by truly implementing these practical, genuine, and robust measures, the enormous potential inherent in the super-large economy will be continuously unleashed, and the momentum for China's economic development will become even more robust.