China's GDP Target for 2026-2030 Reflects Push for High-Quality Development

Beijing — The target for gross domestic product (GDP) growth set in the draft outline of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) fully reflects a clear orientation toward high-quality development by embedding quantitative requirements into the qualitative framework, an official said at a press conference on Saturday, 7 March. Zheng Bei, Deputy Head of the National Development and Reform Commission, delivered the statement at the press briefing. The draft outline proposes to keep China’s GDP growth within a reasonable range over the period, with the annual growth rate to be determined according to actual conditions, in order to lay a solid foundation for achieving the target of doubling China’s per-capita GDP from the 2020 level by 2035, thereby reaching the status of a relatively advanced economy, Zheng said. The growth target directs all parties to pursue real growth, allow room to shift the development pattern, adjust the structure, and push reforms, while supporting improvements in employment and residents’ incomes, he added. The target reflects expectations for the average annual GDP growth over the next decade and is in line with the long-term positive trend in China’s economic development, Zheng said. He also stated that the target shows China is determined to achieve better results in the real-economy work during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, laying a stronger foundation for development in the 16th Five-Year Plan (2031-2035).