The Central Economic Work Conference in Beijing set China’s economic agenda for 2026 amid a weak property sector, high local government debt, and low domestic demand.
Policymakers signaled a continuation of proactive fiscal policy and potentially looser monetary policy, with key tasks including boosting domestic demand, driving innovation, and further opening to foreign investment.
Industrial policy in pursuit of technological dominance, a crucial component of China’s policy planning, risks exacerbating international trade tensions.