China sets to drive economic growth with effective investment in 2026: analysts

Macroeconomic analysts said China is set to promote economic growth in 2026 through effective investment, with key areas to see more targeted and efficient use of capital.

The experts outlined the growth areas in separate interviews with China Central Television (CCTV) in Beijing, following the submission of a government work report on Thursday to the country's top legislature for deliberation.

The government work report said that in 2026, China will make coordinated use of various types of government investment funds, allocate ultra-long special treasury bond funds for developing major national strategies, and boost security capacity in key areas. It also said that China will set an independent quota for local government special-purpose bonds earmarked for project construction. The quota will be increased, and the effectiveness of investment will continue to be enhanced, it said.

"Efforts will be made to issue 800 billion yuan (about 116 billion U.S. dollars) in new policy-based financial instruments, establish a long-term mechanism to encourage private capital participation in major projects, and deliver enduring support for the growth of domestic demand," said Zhang Linshan, a researcher at the Academy of Macroeconomic Research under the National Development and Reform Commission.

The analysts also said that this year's investment from the central government budget stands at 755 billion yuan, marking an increase of 22 billion yuan over last year.

According to the government work report, efforts will also be made to channel funds more accurately into key areas.

"Three key priorities have been outlined this year: fostering new quality productive forces, promoting new-type urbanization, and advancing comprehensive human development. These three priority areas are expected to further boost private investment willingness and capacity. This year, private investment will be explicitly encouraged to play a bigger role in high-tech industries and modern services, and private enterprises will be guided to explore additional new growth areas," said Zou Yunhan, deputy director at the Macroeconomic Research Office under the State Information Center.

China sets to drive economic growth with effective investment in 2026: analysts

Hundreds of Shia Muslims marched in northern Nigeria this week to protest the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in U.S.-Israeli strikes last Saturday.

Demonstrations erupted in several northern states, with the largest gathering in Minna, capital of Niger state. Protesters waved Iranian flags, held portraits of Khamenei, and chanted slogans denouncing the attacks.

Farina Ibrahim, one of the demonstrators, voiced the community's anguish and demanded an end to the strikes on Iran.

"The continued attack on Iran should be stopped. They should stop killing our brothers. This action has been going on for too long and we can't continue. Even small children are targeted and killed. We condemn the attack," she said.

Khamenei, who served as Iran's supreme leader for decades, was viewed by many Shia Muslims not only as a political authority but also as a source of religious guidance. His killing has sent shockwaves through Shia communities worldwide.

Demonstrators described the event as a turning point for the Islamic world.

"Whatever they're doing, they're not attacking Iran alone, they're attacking Islam; because Iran has not done anything wrong. All we're concerned about is that they're fighting Islam. And they will not succeed. This procession will continue till they stop. Both America and Israeli forces stop their crude ways of doing things, their attack on innocent people, their attack on innocent nations. What they've done is wrong!" said Usman Zubairu, another protester. In response to the protests, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja deployed heavy security and issued a security alert to American citizens in Nigeria, urging them to remain vigilant.

Nigerian Shia Muslims protest killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei