China's state-run Economic Daily has published back-to-back front-page editorials rejecting claims that its economy is losing steam and causing a global 'China shock 2.0'. The outlet argues that rising protectionism, not China's strong exports, is the real global economic problem. It describes the 4.5 to 5 per cent growth target as a 'reasonable range'.
A leading Chinese state media outlet, the Economic Daily, ran back-to-back front-page editorials over the past two days pushing back against claims that China's economy is losing steam and that the global economy faces a 'China shock 2.0'.
The editorials describe 'China shock 2.0' as a false narrative born of Western anxiety, stating that the real problem with the global economy is rising protectionism, not China's strong exports.
They note that the growth target reflects China's 'strategic composure and policy acumen in pursuing steady, long-term development', silencing claims that the economy is 'losing speed'. An excessively low growth rate would fail to support industrial upgrading and technological innovation, with the 4.5 to 5 per cent target termed a 'reasonable range'.
South China Morning Post reported on these editorials on April 2, 2026.
