China to intensify efforts to build unified national market, promote private economy

China will promulgate a set of guidelines for the construction of a unified national market as soon as possible, and enact a law on private economy promotion in 2025, said a senior official with China's top economic planner -- the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) -- on Friday.

Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, Xiao Weiming, deputy director-general of the NDRC, said that the promulgation of the guidelines is part of the efforts to promote in-depth and practical construction of a unified national market.

He said the NDRC will speed up the release of a new version of the market access negative list and the formulation of a set of measures for implementing the regulations for fair competition review.

According to Xiao, comprehensive reform trials for the market-based allocation of production factors will be advanced, and the construction of a unified national electric power market will be stepped up. Efforts will also be made to build an open and unified transportation market and accelerate the removal of major bottlenecks in building roads and inter-provincial waterways.

The NDRC will work to enable employees across wider regions to draw money from their housing provident fund accounts for interregional spending, and promote trans-regional activation and use of social security cards. It will also work to promote mutual recognition of test results among medical institutions across wider areas, according to Xiao

Xiao said the NDRC will work to step up development of the private economy and promote efforts in enacting the law on the private economy promotion.

Meanwhile, the commission will cooperate with other competent authorities in carrying out exclusive operations to regulate law enforcement on enterprises, in effectively maintaining the legitimate rights and interests of private enterprises and entrepreneurs, according to Xiao.

"We will work to promote fair opening of competitive infrastructure sectors to business entities, especially private enterprises. We will provide private enterprises with greater access to major national scientific research infrastructure. Efforts will also be made to improve the system of policies for supporting financing of private enterprises, and promote efforts to settle overdue payments," he said.

China to intensify efforts to build unified national market, promote private economy

The China Media Group (CMG) on Thursday unveiled a set of four vibrant mascots for its 2026 Spring Festival Gala, one of the premier television events on China's entertainment calendar, heralding the upcoming Year of the Horse with wishes of vitality and ambition.

The Chinese lunar year for 2026 is the Year of the Horse and will begin on February 17, 2026.

Horse is one of the most dynamic and spirited in the 12-animal Chinese zodiac cycle, representing strength, perseverance, and unstoppable momentum.

The four mascots take their names from the Chinese expression -- "Qi Ji Chi Cheng" -- meaning "Galloping steed, Onward unstoppable", which is also the theme of the upcoming gala.

Inspired by classic representations of horses across different periods of Chinese history, the mascots are adorned with classic elements of traditional Chinese clouds and thunder.

The design is a reflection of the spirit of renewal and progress in the new year.

Qiqi, a dark-colored horse, features a vigorous posture, fully embodying the forward-looking and ambitious spirit.

Jiji, a horse spreading wings to soar through the clouds in pursuit of the sun, represents a spirit of striving and upward momentum.

Chichi has a tied-up tail, fully displaying a demeanor of confidence and composure.

The image of Chengcheng was inspired by Przewalski's horse. As the only surviving wild horse species on Earth, it is known as a "living genetic fossil" with a 60-million-year evolutionary history.

Being robust and agile, Chengcheng showcases the harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.

The Spring Festival Gala, or Chunwan, hosted by CMG has been an essential part of Chinese New Year celebrations since 1983, featuring an elaborate mix of performances such as songs, dances, comic sketches, traditional operas, and folk arts.

The annual spectacle, known as the most-watched television program in the world, is broadcast on the eve of the Chinese New Year, when families come together to ring in the new lunar year.

This year's Spring Festival Eve will meet global viewers on Feb 16, 2026.

China Media Group unveils mascots for 2026 Spring Festival Gala