Amid global supply volatility, Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called for accelerated development of a 'new-type power system' to advance the green transition and expand the use of artificial intelligence in the energy sector.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has pledged to provide national treatment for foreign companies, aiming to create a more equitable business environment.

The annual “two sessions” in Beijing are under way, and this year the annual ritual of reading tea leaves in this city has been made easier for politics watchers. That is because Beijing has been blunt about the problems it thinks our city faces. There is the usual praise for the Hong Kong government and Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s leadership. One striking difference is that Premier Li Qiang included in his annual work report, delivered at the opening session of the National People’s...

Premier Li Qiang announced a projected economic growth of 4.5% to 5% for the current year, alongside a 7% increase in the military budget, signaling a shift towards more stable development.

Beijing laid out a list of priorities for the economy, innovation and the military for this year at the opening session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday. Here are the major takeaways from this year’s government work report and budget report: Major targets for 2026 Gross domestic product growth of 4.5-5 per cent A consumer price index increase of around 2 per cent A fiscal budget deficit of around 4 per cent of GDP Addition of 12 million new...

This live blog has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. Premier Li Qiang is presenting the government’s annual work report at the opening ceremony of China’s top legislature, the National People’s Congress (NPC). This year’s annual meetings of the top legislature and the top advisory body – together known as the “two sessions” – are bein...

German Chancellor Merz met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, but reports suggest he struggled to secure significant agreements on critical issues for German industry.

The German Chancellor expressed a desire for more equitable trade relations with China, while Chinese Premier Li Qiang warned against the dangers of unilateralism and protectionism in trade.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has reiterated the country's commitment to a more open economy and national treatment for foreign firms, pledging to expand the global 'trade pie' while criticizing unilateralism from certain countries.

China's Premier Li Qiang delivered a government work report emphasizing a shift from economic growth fixation to strategic development focused on social and people-centered outcomes.

China has for the first time included commercial health insurance in its 2026 government work report, signalling efforts to strengthen the country’s social safety net and support the growth of innovative drugs and medical devices. On Thursday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said the government would “work faster to develop commercial health insurance” and promote the “high-quality development of innovative drugs and medical devices” to better meet people’s diverse needs. Behind the unusual emphasis...

China's Premier Li Qiang announced a modest GDP growth target of 4.5-5% for the year, the lowest since 1990, during the opening of the Two Sessions of the Chinese Parliament.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called on Hong Kong to leverage its “unique strengths” and pivotal role in connecting with the world, with backing from the mainland. In the government work report he…

When German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Beijing for his first visit to China last week, it came at a moment of heightened geopolitical attention. With US President Donald Trump expected to visit Beijing in late March or early April, European leaders are watching closely for possible shifts in transatlantic relations and trade policy. Against this anxious backdrop, Merz’s meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing offered something the global stage has been dee...

Premier Li Qiang has called for deeper technological cooperation with Germany and highlighted opportunities under China’s latest five-year plan – a move that could help ease tensions with the EU over the war in Ukraine and years of trade disputes. “We support bilateral flows of innovation resources between enterprises and research institutions in both countries,” Li told a symposium attended by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and more than 60 business representatives from both sides. “We can...

Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivered the opening address at the annual China Development Forum, attended by prominent business leaders like Apple CEO Tim Cook, urging a global commitment to opening up and pledging to create more blue ocean markets amidst rising protectionism.

An article highlights the main takeaways from Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s government work report.

China will allocate more of its fiscal spending this year towards human capital and social safety nets, as Beijing seeks to boost domestic demand and unlock new growth through “investing in people”. “Efforts must be sustained to optimise the expenditure structure, with greater emphasis on supporting the boosting of consumption, investing in people, and safeguarding people’s livelihoods,” Premier Li Qiang said in his annual work report, delivered during the opening session of the National...

China will set priorities for technological innovation, economic security, public well-being and carbon reduction over the next five years, vowing to lay a solid foundation for its 2035 target of doubling per capita gross domestic product from 2020 levels. The world’s second-largest economy will release 20 growth targets, including both binding and non-binding ones, in areas covering the economy, technology, healthcare and economic security, Premier Li Qiang said when outlining the broad stro...

China has set its 2026 economic growth target at 4.5 to 5 per cent, marking the first cut since 2023.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang is expected to unveil the country's economic targets and policies for the upcoming year at a major policy meeting.

Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz travelled to Beijing with a delicate brief: vouch for a shrinking slice of big German firms still bullish on China, while defending the growing number being squeezed. On day one of his first official visit, Merz trod the line carefully – voicing openness to resetting beleaguered bilateral ties, even while gently nudging his hosts on bugbears including subsidies, currency devaluation and Russia. A day of meetings with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, President Xi...