{"id":118010,"date":"2026-03-10T11:55:45","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T14:55:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tech.einnews.com\/article\/898514519"},"modified":"2026-03-10T11:55:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T14:55:45","slug":"china-bets-on-new-tech-domestic-demand-at-two-sessions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/03\/10\/china-bets-on-new-tech-domestic-demand-at-two-sessions\/","title":{"rendered":"China bets on new tech, domestic demand at ‘Two Sessions’"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Jason Lu<\/span> in Taipei<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

Thousands of Chinese officials, including members of the National People’s Congress, are meeting in Beijing as the government projects the lowest GDP growth in decades.<\/p>\n<\/header>\n

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https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5A7Jo<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n
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The National People’s Congress, one of the bodies meeting in Beijing, serves as China’s legislative assemblyImage: Rao Aimin\/Xinhua\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Beijing is doubling down on advanced technology and boosting domestic demand amid economic slowdown<\/a>, according to signals coming from the annual “Two Sessions” meetings set to conclude this Thursday.<\/p>\n

Thousands of delegates are attending the annual meetings of the National People’s Congress (NPC) \u2014 the Chinese legislative assembly \u2014 and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), a top level advisory body, in Beijing.<\/p>\n

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What is China’s NPC and why does it matter?<\/h2>\n

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Together, the two conferences offer early signals about potential shifts in China<\/a>‘s policy \u2014 particularly on the economy, security and foreign affairs.<\/p>\n

China sets lowest growth target in decades<\/h2>\n

This year’s “Two Sessions” also coincide with the launch of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, the country’s economic and political road map for 2026\u20132030.<\/p>\n

Premier Li Qiang set a GDP growth target of around 4.5\u20135% for 2026, the lowest official goal since 1991. The figure marks a notable shift after decades in which China maintained rapid expansion, positioning itself as a key driver of global economic growth.<\/p>\n

Xu Chenggang, a senior research scholar at the US-based Stanford Center on China’s Economic and Institutions, warns that independent estimates of China’s growth suggest the real figure may already be significantly lower than the one presented in government statistics.<\/p>\n

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Economic powerhouse China \u2014 a risky partner? <\/h2>\n

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“In light of the persistent economic downturn and the pressure continuing to build, they have to lower the official outlook,” he said.<\/p>\n

Boosting consumer spending was another key priority highlighted by Premier Li. At the same time, the government did not announce a notably larger fiscal stimulus compared to last year. This has already raised questions among some analysts, who wonder if the measures will be enough to revive weak domestic demand.<\/p>\n

Xu argues China’s relatively low household income share remains a major constraint on consumption. “Otherwise they are only paying lip service to tackling the issue,” he said.<\/p>\n

New tech central to new 5-year plan<\/h2>\n

The launch of the 15th Five-Year Plan also highlights Beijing’s focus on technological development.<\/p>\n

Despite the economic slowdown, China aims to double the size of its GDP by 2035 compared with 2020. In Beijing, Premier Li indicated that sectors such as artificial intelligence<\/a>, humanoid robotics<\/a> and green energy<\/a> will play a central role in achieving that goal. <\/p>\n

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Li also said the government would “coordinate the development of computing infrastructure\u2026 to strengthen the foundations of digital and intelligent development.”<\/p>\n

The push comes as China competes increasingly with the United States<\/a> in advanced technologies.<\/p>\n

AI as ‘an essential tool’ for China’s development<\/h2>\n

Alexander Brown, a senior analyst at the Mercator Institute for China Studies, said Beijing sees AI as “an essential tool to turbocharge its industrial and high-tech ambitions.”<\/p>\n

He added that China’s abundant renewable energy and strong government support could provide competitive advantages in developing these industries.<\/p>\n

But Brown questioned Beijing’s ambition of simultaneously focusing on high-tech industries while shifting its economy toward consumption-driven growth.<\/p>\n

“China says it wants to boost consumption while continuing to expand its industrial base and innovation capabilities,\u201d he said. “I don’t think it can do both effectively over the next five-year period.”<\/p>\n

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China’s top diplomat wants closer ties with Europe<\/h2>\n

On foreign policy, Beijing also sketched out a course to improve ties with the EU and the US while rebuking Japan over Taiwan<\/a>.<\/p>\n

At a press conference attended by both domestic and international journalists, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said relations between China and the European Union were improving after several European leaders visited China in recent months<\/a>. He also argued that further opening up would benefit both sides, describing their economies as complementary.<\/p>\n

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Resetting ties \u2013 Chancellor Merz on his first visit to China<\/h2>\n

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At the same time, he urged European policymakers to form what he called “a correct understanding of China.”<\/p>\n

Wang also addressed the ongoing diplomatic feud<\/a> between China and Japan<\/a> over Taiwan, a self-governed island that Beijing views as a part of China. Beijing and Tokyo remain at odds over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi saying a Chinese invasion of the island<\/a> could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, potentially allowing Tokyo to exercise its legal right to collective self-defense<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Chinese minister seem to criticize Takaichi, without mention her by name.<\/p>\n

He reiterated that the Taiwan issue is a domestic matter for China<\/a>, asking: “What does it have to do with Japan?”<\/p>\n

“The clearer the international community’s opposition to ‘Taiwan independence’, the more assured peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait will be,” he said.<\/p>\n

Wang also described 2026 as a “big year” for relations between China and the United States, saying top-level engagement \u2014 including a possible meeting between Xi and President Donald Trump \u2014 was “on our table.”<\/p>\n

“If both sides treat each other with respect and sincerity,” Wang said, “the list of problems will get shorter and the one of cooperation will grow longer.”<\/p>\n

Wu\u2011Ueh Chang, a senior fellow at Taiwan’s Institute for National Policy Research, said a potential Xi\u2013Trump meeting would likely focus on stabilizing ties rather than producing major breakthroughs.<\/p>\n

“As long as China\u2013US relations do not spiral out of control, there will likely be no big surprises” regarding Taiwan, Wu said.<\/p>\n

Beijing facing international tensions, competition<\/h2>\n

The meetings are scheduled to conclude on March 12, when delegates to the National People’s Congress will vote to approve the government’s budget, economic targets and legislative agenda.<\/p>\n

While the votes are largely seen as a formality, the ceremony cements China’s policy framework for the coming year.<\/p>\n

Taken together, this year’s “Two Sessions” suggest a leadership preparing for a more complex era \u2014 attempting to balancing slower economic growth, technological competition and geopolitical tensions<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Edited by: Darko Janjevic<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n