Chinese premier chairs State Council executive meeting on macro policies, investment

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday chaired a State Council executive meeting to discuss work related to strengthening and improving the effectiveness of macro policies and promoting effective investment.

In response to emerging challenges in the economy's operation, efforts should be made to intensify counter-cyclical adjustment of macro policies and promote innovation-driven, high-quality and sound economic development, the meeting noted, stressing that China will strive to achieve its annual economic and social development goals.

The country has targeted the 2026 growth rate at 4.5 to 5 percent and will strive for better results in practice. In the first half of 2026, the country's gross domestic product grew 4.7 percent.

The meeting said that the issuance and utilization of various types of bonds will be accelerated, and major projects as specified in China's 15th Five-Year Plan for national socioeconomic development in the 2026-2030 period and the "six networks" initiative, which covers water networks, new-type power grids, computing power networks, next-generation communication networks, urban underground pipeline networks and logistics networks, will be expedited in terms of project commencement.

The meeting urged efforts to advance the renovation and upgrading of aging and dilapidated reservoirs and grain depots, and implement policies designed to expand investment and boost consumption.

According to the meeting, efforts will be made to optimize fiscal expenditure, adjust monetary policy tools in a timely manner, and increase relending support for scientific and technological innovation and technological transformation, agriculture and small businesses.

Meanwhile, the government will examine and roll out policies and measures aimed at stabilizing the real estate market and promoting employment and growth, according to the meeting.

Chinese premier chairs State Council executive meeting on macro policies, investment

China's top political advisor Wang Huning on Monday called for firmly following the right path for solving ethnic issues with Chinese characteristics and pooling mighty force to advance Chinese modernization.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the statement when meeting with a delegation of 150 representatives of ethnic minority groups from across China.

Noting that the cause of China's ethnic unity and progress faces new developments and tasks during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), Wang urged the representatives to study and implement the law on promoting ethnic unity and progress and lead people of all ethnic groups to maintain and safeguard ethnic unity.

Wang called for further work to foster a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, promote the common progress of all ethnic groups towards socialist modernization, and facilitate extensive exchanges and integration among all ethnic groups.

He urged the representatives to stay unswervingly committed to the country's modernization drive and contribute to the high-quality development of the ethnic minority areas, in efforts to lead people of all ethnic groups to jointly create a better life.

The delegation consisted of individual role models and representatives of model units honored for their work in promoting ethnic unity and progress at the provincial-level and above since 2024.

China's top political advisor meets representatives of ethnic minority groups