BEIJING, 6 March 2026 – Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on the country’s leading provincial economies to strengthen their ability to address emerging challenges and develop new solutions as China prepares for the next phase of its economic development strategy.
Xi made the remarks during discussions with deputies from Jiangsu province at the annual session of the National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature, where national leaders are outlining priorities for the country’s upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030).
Provinces Urged to Drive High-Quality Growth
Xi emphasised that major economic provinces such as Jiangsu should take the lead in developing “new quality productive forces,” a concept that focuses on advanced manufacturing, technological innovation and high-value industries to drive future economic growth.
He said these regions should deepen integration between education, technology and talent development, enabling breakthroughs in original innovation and core technologies across strategic sectors.
According to Xi, such efforts will strengthen China’s competitiveness and support the country’s shift toward a more innovation-driven economy.
Upgrading Industries and Planning for Future Sectors
Xi also urged local governments to accelerate the modernisation of traditional industries while expanding emerging sectors and planning ahead for future industries such as advanced manufacturing, digital technologies and green development.
He stressed that institutional reforms should remove barriers that hinder the development of new productive forces and encourage entrepreneurship and technological advancement.
Strengthening Role of Major Provincial Economies
Major provincial economies play a crucial role in maintaining China’s overall economic stability, Xi said.
He called for stronger economic resilience, deeper integration into China’s unified national market and broader high-standard opening-up to international trade and investment.
Focus on Common Prosperity
Xi reiterated that Chinese modernisation aims to achieve common prosperity, urging provinces to improve employment opportunities, raise incomes for both urban and rural residents and enhance public services and social security systems.
Such measures, he said, will help ensure that economic growth translates into broader improvements in living standards.
Governance and Reform Remain Key
Xi also highlighted the importance of strong governance and party discipline to ensure effective policy implementation and public trust in government institutions.
He urged officials to strengthen efforts in governance reform and policy coordination as China navigates a more complex global environment during the upcoming five-year development cycle.
