China’s economy has maintained steady growth in the first half of this year, continuing to generate development opportunities for the world.
The world’s second-largest economy expanded by 4.7 percent in the first half (H1) of 2026, a performance that authorities described as “within a proper range” for the opening year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). The country has targeted full-year growth at 4.5 to 5 percent and will strive for better results.
Foreign trade recorded strong double-digit growth in H1 and a bumper summer grain harvest boosted food security. Efforts to ensure adequate energy supply at home have helped effectively address external challenges brought by geopolitical conflicts, as non-fossil energy, accounting for 62 percent of the total installed capacity, is playing a more prominent role in energy security and green transition.
In China, years of sustained investment in innovation have fueled the rapid emergence of new technologies and products. A recent World Bank report has highlighted strong high-tech investment and buffers against global energy supply disruptions as factors contributing to the Chinese economy’s resilience.
New growth drivers, represented by high-end manufacturing, digital economy and modern services, contributed more than 40 percent to economic growth in H1, underscoring the economy’s shift toward innovation and quality.
The country’s stable growth has not been easily achieved, given not only the nation’s massive 140-trillion-yuan economy but also the global energy shortages and severe supply-chain disruptions.
China’s stable growth, a remarkable accomplishment, offers much-needed certainty in an uncertain world.
In the face of rising unilateralism and protectionism, China has remained committed to actively expanding opening up, sharing development opportunities with partners from around the world.
This was demonstrated by the country’s extension of zero-tariff treatment to all African countries that have diplomatic relations with it starting May 1, 2026.
In the first six months, import growth outpaced export growth by 8.7 percentage points.
Rather than go fast alone, China is committed to win-win cooperation and collective progress with other countries. While offering large market dividends, China is delivering increasing innovation dividends to the world through technological progress and industrial upgrading.
This is precisely why the concept of “China Opportunity 2.0” is gaining traction. The phrase refers to opportunities arising from China’s more open, inclusive and tech-powered economic interaction with the rest of the world.
Banking on the Chinese market’s opportunities, foreign-invested enterprises have continued bringing in investment. In the first five months, the number of newly established foreign-invested enterprises in the country grew 5.3 percent year on year to reach 25,297, and nearly 4,000 foreign firms ramped up investment in China.
In the new energy vehicle industry, multinational automakers are proactively seeking to stay competitive by leveraging China’s innovation ecosystem and partnering with local leading tech firms.
Currently, efforts are continuing to advance the deep integration of sci-tech innovation with industrial innovation and expand domestic demand. A recently issued plan aimed at boosting consumption, which aims to raise total retail sales of consumer goods to around 60 trillion yuan (about 8.84 trillion U.S. dollars) by 2030, has reflected such efforts and the vast business potential from the Chinese consumer market.
China has made it clear that it will work with all parties to build an open world economy, maintain stable global supply and industrial chains, and make new achievements through innovation.
For countries and businesses seeking growth rather than confrontation, the expanding “China Opportunity 2.0” is becoming increasingly difficult to overlook.