Slower Growth, Hi-tech Self-reliance, and 'Ethnic Unity' — China plans the future

Slower Growth, Hi-tech Self-reliance, and 'Ethnic Unity' — China plans the future

From China In Context by SOAS China Institute

March 18, 2026 · 40 min · Season 6 · Episode 205

About this episode

The episode discusses China's GDP growth target and the new five year plan focusing on self-reliance and ethnic unity.

China's legislature this month set the nation's GDP growth target at 4.5 – 5%, the lowest since 1991, and also approved the country's new five year plan, which calls for higher quality growth with an emphasis on self-reliance and technological innovation, and pledges to promote domestic consumption and improve citizens' livelihoods. The National People’s Congress also passed a new 'Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity', which among other things, enshrines the use of Mandarin in schools in ethnic min...

Topics covered

  • GDP growth
  • five year plan
  • self-reliance
  • technological innovation
  • ethnic unity
  • domestic consumption
  • citizens' livelihoods

Keywords

  • China
  • GDP growth
  • five year plan
  • self-reliance
  • technological innovation
  • ethnic unity
  • Mandarin

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: China

Books & works: Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity

Places: Mandarin

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