On March 4, China’s “two sessions,” the annual meetings of the country’s top legislature, the National People’s Congress (NPC), and top political advisory body, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), kicked off in Beijing, drawing global attention.

Amidst a world facing heightened uncertainties, analysis of China’s development trajectory reveals a clear trend: despite complex global conditions, China’s economy consistently advances towards higher-quality growth, demonstrating strong resilience. It remains one of the world’s most stable, reliable, and proactive forces.

The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2026 identifies uncertainty itself as a defining global risk this year. Recently, rising geopolitical tensions have further intensified, increasing the risks facing the world economy.

In a more volatile international landscape, why is China still widely regarded as a source of confidence that helps stabilize global expectations?

Certainty comes from the guidance of planning. Looking at the history of global economic development, only a handful of large economies have managed to navigate economic cycles while sustaining long-term, steady growth.

Since launching its first Five-Year Plan in 1953, China has formulated and implemented 14 Five-Year Plans, advancing step by step and creating a development miracle in human history.

Today, China’s planning system is widely regarded by the international community as one of the most distinctive and effective models of national governance in the contemporary world.

The 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) has become a key phrase frequently cited by international media when they cover this year’s “two sessions.”

“A China with clear plans, well-defined goals, and continued openness is not only a blessing for the country itself, but also for the world,” said Gyula Thurmer, president of the Hungarian Workers’ Party.

From steadily advancing a modern industrial system and accelerating a modern infrastructure network, to deepening scientific and technological innovation and advancing green and low-carbon transition, China’s vision for the 15th Five-Year Plan demonstrate a forward-looking strategic thinking. It has boost confidence in China’s development prospects while unlocking predictable market opportunities and shared development dividends.

Underscoring such certainty is the strong resilience of China’s development. During the “two sessions” each year, the country’s economic targets for the year ahead become a focal point of global analysis. At a time of mounting global headwinds, China’s steady progress is met with growing international anticipation.

In recent months, multiple international institutions have raised their forecasts for China’s 2026 growth this year, reflecting confidence in its stable economic performance.

This resilience is evident. Despite a challenging global environment in 2025, China’s economy grew by 5.0 percent, adding more than 5 trillion yuan (approximately the size of a mid-level developed economy) to its output. The vitality of its consumer market was highlighted during the recent Spring Festival holiday, with domestic tourist spending rising 126.4 billion yuan ($18.33 billion) year-on-year. An estimated 9.5 billion cross-regional trips during the Spring Festival travel rush further underscored this dynamism.

More fundamentally, the resilience stems from China’s increasingly robust economic foundation. John Ross, former director of economic and business policy for the mayor of London, emphasized the deep integration of technology and industry in China.

He noted that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China achieved historic breakthroughs, becoming a technological leader in several key industries — a feat unmatched by any other developing country.

Ross highlighted that this comprehensive strength allows China to offset negative impacts from external geopolitical actions.

Certainty also comes from China’s unwavering commitment to opening up. China’s economy not only maintains stability and growth, but also remains deeply integrated with the world economy, sharing opportunities with partners across the globe. As noted by a Pakistani media outlet analyzing the “two sessions,” China’s policy direction shapes the well-being of its 1.4 billion people and holds significant implications for global economic growth and the direction of emerging technological revolutions.

Today, China is a major trading partner for more than 150 countries and regions and has been the world’s second-largest import market for 17 consecutive years. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China’s outward investment contributed more than $300 billion in tax revenues to host countries. Some U.S. media outlets have described China as an anchor for a global economy seeking new engines of growth.

Since the beginning of this year, trade and economic delegations from many countries have visited China in succession and achieved fruitful outcomes. Recent surveys by the German Chamber of Commerce in China and the American Chamber of Commerce in China showed that multinational companies continue to expand their investments in China, demonstrating both confidence in and commitment to the Chinese market.

At a time when the world economy urgently needs a stabilizing anchor, China, entering the 15th Five-Year Plan period and continuing to advance toward high-quality development, will remain a trustworthy and dependable partner for all. It will continue providing the most valuable and scarce resource for a turbulent world: certainty.

By He Yin

Source: People’s Daily