Premier Li Qiang delivered the government work report to China's National People's Congress on March 5, 2026, setting a 2026 GDP growth target of 4.5-5% and outlining priorities for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), including technological innovation, economic security, public well-being, energy production and decarbonisation. The report announced 20 growth targets across economy, technology, healthcare and more, plus 109 major projects in six areas—up from 102 previously—to support doubling 2020 per capita GDP by 2035.
The fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress opened in Beijing on March 5, with Premier Li Qiang submitting the report that reviewed 2025 performance—GDP at 140.19 trillion yuan (about $20.28 trillion), up 5%—and averaged 5.4% annual growth over the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), exceeding global averages.
Key 2026 targets include an urban unemployment rate around 5.5%, over 12 million new urban jobs, 2% CPI rise, 700 million tonnes grain output, 3.8% drop in CO2 emissions per GDP unit, and 7% defense budget growth to 1.9 trillion yuan ($275 billion)—the 11th year of single-digit increases.
The 15th Five-Year Plan proposes no aggregate GDP target, with annual goals set sequentially to prioritize structural improvements. It vows 109 major projects in six areas, emphasizing advanced manufacturing, original innovation, core technology breakthroughs and self-reliance. Nationwide R&D spending will rise at least 7% annually through 2030, boosting 'AI Plus', integrated circuits, aerospace, biomedicine, low-altitude economy, future energy, quantum tech, embodied intelligence, brain-computer interfaces and 6G.
Energy efforts include raising domestic output; green transition targets 17% cumulative CO2 intensity cut by 2030, with a low-carbon fund for hydrogen and green fuels, expanded carbon trading and new electricity systems. The plan modernises industry, supports public well-being, agriculture, elderly care, regional development and economic security, while widening services market access (telecoms, biotech, foreign hospitals), opposing Taiwan independence and advancing global initiatives.
Expert Shen Danyang called the targets 'active and pragmatic,' aiding local planning toward 2035 goals amid global uncertainty, showcasing China's high-quality development resolve.
