China's economy is expected to maintain stable growth and show greater strengths in 2026, as the fundamentals sustaining the sound growth in the long run remain unchanged, the spokeswoman for China's Foreign Ministry Mao Ning said on Wednesday at a regular press briefing in Beijing.
Mao made the remarks in response to research reports from European financial institutions, which said that China is on course to maintain steady economic growth in 2026 with the underpinning of technological innovation and green transition.
Mao said that Chinese economy overcame risks and challenges in 2025 and contributed around 30 percent to global economic growth.
"Over the past year, China has effectively coped with various risks and challenges facing its economy. Despite mounting economic pressure, China has pushed forward with innovation-led and high-quality development. China has been at the forefront in scientific and technological innovation and green energy transition worldwide. The composite national strength reached new heights. China has continually advanced high-standard opening up and become the major trading partner of over 150 countries and regions. China has contributed around 30 percent to global economic growth, and injected impetus to global development," said Mao.
The spokeswoman also said that the year 2026 marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, and innovation and green development would remain the engines of China's high-quality growth.
"Looking forward, with 2026 marking the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan, the core conditions supporting China’s long-term positive growth remains firmly in place, with the underlying upward trend unchanged. China will be showing greater strengths. Innovation and green development will be the driver and main features of China’s high-quality development. We will give a boost to common development worldwide through openness and shared benefit and keep advancing voluntary and institutional opening up. We will continue to run our own affairs well, write a new chapter in the story of China miracle, and also open our arms wider to embrace development and prosperity together with other countries. On the new journey of Chinese modernization, we will provide new driving forces and opportunities to both ourselves and the rest of the world," said Mao.
Chinese economy set to maintain stable growth in 2026: spokeswoman
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, with both sides pledging to strengthen mutual support and the alignment of development strategies.
Abiy asked Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, to convey his New Year greetings and sincere regards to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. Ethiopia regards China as a trustworthy, close brother and strategic partner, Abiy said, noting that the two countries have long supported each other and that their bilateral relations are developing with strong momentum.
Ethiopia appreciates China's long-standing support for its economic and social development and speaks highly of China's efforts in implementing the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), he said.
Reaffirming Ethiopia's adherence to the one-China principle, Abiy said Ethiopia is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges with China, deepen practical cooperation in infrastructure, new energy, artificial intelligence, marine affairs, and other fields, strengthen mutual support in regional and international affairs, and promote sustained growth of bilateral relations.
Wang conveyed the cordial greetings of Chinese leaders to Abiy, saying that the Ethiopian prime minister is an old friend of the Chinese people. Under Abiy's leadership, Wang said, the Ethiopian people have remained united, and the country has made rapid progress in national development.
Addis Ababa is changing with each passing day, and China extends its congratulations, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Ethiopia to implement the important consensus reached by the two countries' leaders, firmly support each other, strengthen the alignment of development strategies, deepen exchanges of governance experience, and continuously elevate the all-weather strategic partnership between China and Ethiopia, he said.
Ethiopia is leading the way in China-Africa cooperation, and both sides should work together to implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, Wang said. He called for making full use of China's zero-tariff policy for all African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, accelerating the upgrading of trade and economic cooperation, strengthening cooperation in infrastructure, green industries, and the digital economy, and advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between China and Africa.
He expressed hope that Ethiopia will provide a sound environment for Chinese enterprises to invest and conduct business, and said China looks forward to Ethiopia, as a major African country, playing an important role in regional and international affairs.
China is willing to continue promoting the implementation of the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa, and to play a constructive role in advancing regional peace, stability, and win-win cooperation.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedion Timothewos.
China, Ethiopia pledge to strengthen all-weather strategic partnership
