Look East for new drivers and opportunities

The Spring, as always, brings new scenes in China. The National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), more commonly known as the Two Sessions, were convened successively in early March in Beijing. Nearly 3,000 NPC deputies and over 2,000 CPPCC members gathered in China’s capital city to bring the voices and aspirations of the people to the nation’s highest decision-making platform and into the top-level design of national development. The Two Sessions have forged a strong force for furthering comprehensive reforms and advancing Chinese modernization.

- Author: Huang Xilian, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

2025 marks the final year of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan and the year of strategic planning for the next or the 15th Five-Year Plan. As a key link between the past and the future, this year’s Two Sessions drew significant attention. This consensus-building event not only infused confidence into regional partners but also carved new pathways for global cooperation and shared prosperity. The substantial outcomes of the Two Sessions showcased to the world the resilience and vitality of the Chinese economy, groundbreaking innovations in science and culture, and China’s sincere commitment to sharing development opportunities with the rest of the world.

I. China’s Economy Advances Steadily with High-Quality Development

Amid a complex and evolving global landscape, China has set a GDP growth target of around 5% for the year. This goal reflects a scientific assessment of both domestic and international conditions, unwavering confidence in the path of high-quality development, and a balanced approach to driving both the quality and quantity of economic growth. It underscores the overarching principle of “seeking progress while maintaining stability” and striving with determination and achievement. China enjoys solid foundations, robust support, and has strong confidence in hitting the above target.