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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Moscow, March 6 (Xinhua) — The Chinese economy continues to demonstrate impressive resilience in a challenging external environment, maintaining positive growth momentum and confidently advancing along the path of technological sovereignty. This was stated in an exclusive interview with Xinhua by Ekaterina Zaklyazminskaya, head of the Center for World Politics and Strategic Analysis at the Institute of China and Modern Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ICSA RAS), commenting on the key points of Chinese Premier Li Qiang's report at the opening session of the National People's Congress (NPC).
According to the expert, China's 2026 GDP growth target of 4.5-5 percent appears quite optimal and even somewhat restrained. "Perhaps, in some respects, the figures are even restrained, because we know that last year, despite the colossal pressure exerted on China from outside, primarily the tariff war unleashed by Washington… China was able to achieve its macroeconomic planning results of 5 percent, so for 2026, when China and the US have reached a certain de-escalation of the trade situation, the 4.5-5 percent figures appear at least achievable and, with some probability, they may be exceeded," noted E. Zaklyazminskaya.
She recalled that China's economy grew by exactly 5 percent in 2025, fully meeting its target, despite unprecedented external pressure that began in February, multiple rounds of trade negotiations, and the imposition of tariffs. "The Chinese economy has demonstrated a certain resilience… All the stated macroeconomic indicators have been achieved," the expert emphasized.
According to her, this resilience is largely due to sound macroeconomic planning. "China's leadership has always wisely and rationally set goals, both within the five-year planning framework and within the annual planning framework… The overwhelming majority of these indicators, despite everything, despite external storms, have been achieved," said E. Zaklyazminskaya.
She placed particular emphasis on the "dual circulation" model, which complements the traditional export-oriented strategy. "The Chinese economic growth model… demonstrates resilience, and secondly, it allows for good results… The US economy grew at just over 2 percent last year, while the Chinese economy continues to grow at a medium-fast pace," the Xinhua source noted.
E. Zaklyazminskaya praised China's successes in digitalization and high-tech development. According to the report of the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, the share of the digital economy already exceeds 10% of GDP. The expert emphasized that China is not only actively developing artificial intelligence but also exporting advanced technologies, including to Russia. "We eagerly await the launch of our Molniya messenger, which… is being developed in collaboration with Chinese partners… Chinese partners have completed the development of a phone with Russian software," she said, expressing confidence that such projects will expand cooperation beyond the traditional "raw materials in exchange for finished goods" model and open up new prospects for partnership.
Speaking about social policy, the expert praised Beijing's measures to support motherhood and childhood in the context of global depopulation. "By the end of 2025, more than 10 million children and their families will have received additional financial support… life expectancy is increasing… the number of years of education is also increasing," noted E. Zaklyazminskaya, adding that long-term investments in human capital will "repay themselves a hundredfold" in a digital and automated economy.
She particularly highlighted the breakthrough in China's technological sovereignty. Despite Western attempts to restrict access to high technology, "China has begun to strengthen its technological sovereignty and made significant progress… China has already surpassed other countries in many areas of high-tech production… It is at the forefront of the technological endeavors of all humanity," stated E. Zaklyazminskaya. The expert emphasized that China is not only achieving self-sufficiency but is also actively sharing technologies with countries in the Global South, contributing to the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity.
At the same time, E. Zaklyazminskaya acknowledged the challenges: the real estate crisis has not yet been fully overcome, a balance needs to be struck between the green agenda and economic growth, and external pressure remains. "Despite all these challenges, [China] is still demonstrating tremendous resilience… We certainly hope that these challenges will gradually be overcome and that the 15th Five-Year Plan will also bring China closer to its goals," she concluded.
The expert is confident that ambitious plans for the next five years will be largely or completely fulfilled, which will allow China to continue its confident development in the interests of both its own people and the international community. –0–
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