As the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress was held in Beijing, the government work report has set China's growth target for 2026 at 4.5 percent to 5 percent—the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan period. The new blueprint, covering 2026 through 2030, marks a critical stage on China's path toward socialist modernization by 2035.
The global backdrop against which this plan unfolds could hardly be more challenging. "There is geopolitical turmoil. The whole world is shaken up through conflicts, through wars," observes Mushahid Hussain, senator of Pakistan and chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute. "The global economy is slowing. That is the global trend. Thirdly, we also see a serious challenge of global governance."
Yet against this turbulent landscape, China's economic performance in 2025 tells a different story. GDP surpassed 140 trillion yuan ($19.4 trillion) with 5 percent growth—a rate that places it among the fastest-growing major economies worldwide. "Given this context, China's economic development and growth in 2025 is quite remarkable," Hussain notes. "And that is different from the global trend."
Green leader in transition
The 15th Five-Year Plan's growth target of 4.5 percent to 5 percent reflects a deliberate shift in priorities. "I think it's true that perhaps in terms of percentage, it may be slightly slower growth—4.5 to 5%—but it's better quality growth," Hussain explains. "The focus, according to the report, is also on openness and on innovation and research and development."
The results of that strategic focus are already visible globally. "Today China is a green leader, leading in wind turbines—almost 70%, solar panels—almost 80%, electric vehicles—almost 80%," Hussain points out. Official data confirms this trajectory: technology product exports surged 13.2 percent year-on-year in 2025, covering electric vehicles, integrated circuits, and semiconductors.
The plan's emphasis on frontier industries—quantum technology, biomanufacturing, hydrogen energy, and 6G—reflects a deliberate strategy to secure leadership in sectors where global competition remains wide open.
"So you can see that the policy priorities of the Chinese leadership were correct," Hussain says. "And that is why China has shown that kind of amazing growth, despite the overall difficult, complex geopolitical and global economic situation."
Trade resilience and global realignment
China's trade performance has defied protectionist headwinds. Total goods imports and exports reached a record 45.47 trillion yuan in 2025. More significantly, the geography of trade is shifting.
"Out of 193 countries which are members of the United Nations, 140 countries have more trade with China than they have with the United States of America," Hussain observes. "That's quite remarkable. And China also posted at the end of 2025 a record trade surplus of $1.2 trillion, which is quite amazing. So despite the headwinds, despite the complex scenario, China's economic development is on track."
When the United States escalated tariff pressures last year, the outcome was not what Washington anticipated. "China beat the United States. China defeated the United States tariffs," Hussain states plainly. "And China has shown that you cannot erect artificial barriers to global growth, to global trade, to global investment."
BRI beyond "brick and mortar"
The Belt and Road Initiative, now in its second decade, exemplifies China's alternative approach to global engagement. Launched over a decade ago, it stands in stark contrast to other global powers' recent history. "What did the Americans do after 9/11? They spent $8 trillion in wars, in conflict, in military confrontation in different countries. Millions of people were displaced, lives were lost," Hussain contrasts. "What did China do under a different vision? BRI—a more economic vision, a vision of connectivity, a vision of cooperation, a vision which is win-win, because it's inclusive, nobody's excluded. It's sharing your prosperity and moving together."
The numbers tell part of the story. In Pakistan, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has delivered $26 billion in investment, 8,000 megawatts of electricity generation, and 600 kilometers of roads and highways. Thirty thousand Pakistani students now study in China. CPEC 2.0, now underway, focuses on high-quality development and business-to-business cooperation across agriculture, industry, mining, IT, and education.
But for Hussain, the human dimension matters most. He cites the example of Thar, one of Pakistan's most remote and underdeveloped regions, where Chinese investment in energy has transformed local communities. "The dumper trucks which pick up the coal from the open pit mining—they are driven by women. So it's leading to women's empowerment, women who hardly left their houses. Today they are making money. Income is being generated."
World Bank estimates suggest 40 to 50 million people globally have been lifted out of poverty through BRI projects. "That's quite remarkable," Hussain says. "So this development is not just brick and mortar. It's changing people's lives and livelihoods. This is the example of inclusive, people-centered development promoted by China's Belt and Road Initiative."
Reporter: Guo Zedong
Video capture: Guo Zedong
Video: Ou Xiaoming
Cover: Lai Meiya
