Senior Chinese economic officials said their country’s economic performance has exceeded earlier expectations, citing stronger-than-forecast indicators across manufacturing, exports, and technology-focused industries despite external pressures. The comments were made on December 13, 2025, at the 2025–2026 Annual Conference on China’s Economy in Beijing.
The event was organised by the China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE), a policy research body that advises the Chinese government on economic planning and reform. Discussions focused on how their recently announced national economic priorities are being implemented amid a challenging global environment.
Growth outlook and five-year plan progress
The conference also addressed China’s medium-term economic direction as the country approaches the final year of its 14th Five-Year Plan, which runs from 2021 to 2025. Officials said the plan’s core objectives remain broadly on track, with increasing emphasis on productivity, technological development, and more sustainable growth.
International institutions have adjusted their projections in response. The International Monetary Fund now expects China’s economy to grow by 5 percent in 2025, followed by 4.5 percent in 2026. Goldman Sachs, a leading global investment bank, has raised its 2026 growth forecast for China to 4.8 percent, citing stronger export performance and continued momentum in advanced manufacturing.
Han Wenxiu, Han Wenxiu, executive deputy director of the Office of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs, stated that many forecasters now expect full-year growth to be close to 5 percent. China’s total economic output for the year is projected to reach around 140 trillion yuan, or approximately $19.8 trillion.
With global economic growth expected to slow, officials and economists said China is likely to remain a significant contributor to worldwide expansion, supported by its scale in global trade, industrial production, and investment activity.
Analysts said the outlook discussed at the conference reflects Beijing’s focus on sustaining growth as global conditions become more uncertain, while balancing external demand with longer-term economic adjustments.
