NPC deputies on key drivers behind China’s economic growth

Deputies to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), including government officials and business leaders, shared their insights on Tuesday about the key drivers of China's economic growth.

According to the new Government Work Report, China is aiming for an economic growth rate of around five percent in 2025.

In interviews on the sidelines of the closing meeting of the third session of the 14th NPC in Beijing, the NPC deputies shared their views on the major measures and key sectors outlined in the government report to achieve China's economic goals for this year.

"The report outlined key measures to boost consumption and foreign trade investment, which are highly beneficial for the development of businesses. The government also offers businesses strong support for technological innovation, encouraging institutional innovation within enterprises," said Jia Shaoqian, an NPC deputy and chairman of Hisense Group, a China-based appliance and electronics manufacturer.

"The private sector is the backbone of economic growth, job creation, and innovation. In the global market, our competitiveness depends on the vitality and creativity of private enterprises. In fact, strengthening support for this sector is crucial to enhancing China's long-term international competitiveness," said NPC deputy Liu Hanyuan, also chairman of Tongwei Group, a private solar panel manufacturer.

"Active fiscal policies and a moderately loose monetary policy will be crucial. With these measures in place, especially expanding effective investment and boosting consumer demand, I believe the five percent growth target is within reach," said Huang Wei, an NPC deputy and mayor of Zunyi in southwest China's Guizhou Province.

"China is at a critical stage of development. Given the complex external environment, we must focus on fostering new quality productive forces to drive growth. The key now is to implement the policies outlined in the Central Economic Work Conference and the measures in the premier's report," said NPC deputy Huang Junhua, vice chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Regional Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

NPC deputies on key drivers behind China’s economic growth

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday urged a "truly durable" ceasefire with unimpeded humanitarian aid access for Gaza, while warning that the overall humanitarian situation in the war-torn enclave remains fragile despite some improvements.

Guterres said at a press encounter that clean water is reaching more communities, some health facilities have reopened, and in the wake of the winter storms, the international community acted immediately to provide support.

However, Guterres warned that about 1.6 million people in the Gaza Strip, or more than 75 percent of the population, would face extreme levels of acute food insecurity and critical malnutrition risks.

Since October, the UN has done everything possible to keep lifelines open, but needs are growing faster than aid can get in, he said.

"We need a truly durable ceasefire, and we need more crossings, the lifting of restrictions on critical items, the removal of red tape, safe routes inside Gaza, sustained funding, and unimpeded access, including for NGOs," said Guterres.

Meanwhile, Guterres warned that the situation in the West Bank is also rapidly deteriorating, with Palestinians facing multiple threats including escalating violence by settlers, land confiscation, forced demolition of homes, and increasingly stringent restrictions on movement. In the north, tens of thousands of people have already been displaced due to Israeli military operations.

Guterres stressed that the international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, must be upheld across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.

Guterres also said the International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion of Oct. 22, 2025 clearly stated that Israel is under the obligation to allow and facilitate humanitarian aid, to cooperate with the United Nations in carrying out its mandates, and to respect the privileges and immunities of the United Nations and its personnel, including in times of armed conflict.

UN chief urges "truly durable" ceasefire with unimpeded humanitarian access for Gaza