China grows 5% in 2025

Despite obstacles, China meets growth target

The world’s second largest economy grew 5% in 2025.

The total value of production reached 140.19 trillion yuan, which is equivalent to US$20.13 trillion, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The milestone also successfully closes the 14th Five-Year Plan and lays a solid foundation for the beginning of this year, as China’s economy offers greater confidence in an increasingly complex and volatile geopolitical environment. Including with regard to the growing waves of trade protectionism that are expected to occur in the coming years.

This growth demonstrates resilience and economic vitality, as it occurred despite external and internal pressures. And China is expected to contribute around 30% to global economic growth, acting as a stabilizer for global supply chains.

Performance

The 5% increase in China’s GDP also translates into a net growth of 5.38 trillion yuan (US$771.73 billion) in economic volume last year, a figure higher than, for example, Belgium’s total GDP of US$671 billion.

Externally, the country faced waves of trade protectionism, with new attempts to contain the country’s development and the US once again using the threat of tariffs.

Domestically, “China has been dealing with pressures arising from insufficient demand, an imbalance between supply and demand, as well as difficulties associated with transformation and modernization,” according to Yao Jingyuan, a special researcher at the State Council Counselor’s Office.

Still, the keywords of the Chinese economy remained: stable, progressive, innovative and resilient.

Growth strengths

Growth was driven by high-tech and advanced manufacturing sectors. These sectors demonstrate the development of new quality productive forces, with emphasis on:

• High-tech manufacturing: growth of 9.4%, exceeding the general average;
• Industrial robots: production increased by 28%;
• New energy vehicles: production rose 25.1%.

Domestic consumption also recovered. Retail sales rose 3.7% for the year and were boosted by long holidays and stimulus measures.

Paper global

Successful completion of the previous plan lays a solid foundation for the next cycle. The new plan (2026-2030) emphasizes greater self-sufficiency in science and technology.

China stands out as the most stable supply chain base in the world. And this position should strengthen in the coming years and places the country at the forefront among the main economies.

With information from Global Times on 01/19/2026