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Joint development for a shared future
As China outlines its next phase of high-quality growth and opening-up, deeper cooperation with the UAE can help shape a more stable and prosperous future
- PUBLISHED: Mon 30 Mar 2026, 4:40 PM
The fourth session of the 14th National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China and the fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (hereafter referred to as the ‘Two Sessions’) were successfully held in Beijing from March 5 to March 12, 2026.
Taking place at a historic juncture as China concludes the 14th Five-Year Plan and begins the 15th Five-Year Plan — this year’s Two Sessions have charted the course for the country’s economic and social development. They have also sent a positive message to the world: China will further expand opening-up, share opportunities with other countries, and work together towards shared prosperity.
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During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, despite a complex and challenging environment marked by a rapidly changing external landscape and mounting domestic pressures, China’s economy has withstood downward pressure and continued to make steady progress. China’s GDP grew by five percent year-on-year, surpassing the 140 trillion yuan ($20.4 trillion) mark for the first time.
The innovation-driven development strategy has been deeply implemented, the digital economy has continued to expand, the green transition has accelerated, and the construction of a modern industrial system has gathered pace — all demonstrating the strong resilience and vast potential of the Chinese economy. On this basis, the government work report has set an economic growth target of around 4.5 per cent to five per cent for this year, reflecting both the policy approach of pursuing progress while maintaining stability and a firm commitment to high-quality development.
At the heart of development is the continuous improvement of both quality and efficiency. China remains committed to anchoring its future in high-quality development. It is continuing to implement the innovation-driven development strategy, foster new quality productive forces in line with local conditions, and accelerate the building of a modern industrial system. Emerging and future-oriented industries are being cultivated and strengthened at a faster pace, while digitalisation and intelligent transformation continue to advance.
China is also accelerating efforts to achieve greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, with a focus on breakthroughs in key core technologies across critical sectors. At the same time, the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation is being promoted, and the full chain from basic research to the application of results is being strengthened. This will help turn more scientific and technological achievements into real productive forces, injecting strong momentum into sustained and healthy economic development.
The essence of development also lies in continuously improving people’s well-being. This year’s Two Sessions were guided throughout by a people-centred development philosophy. Priority continues to be given to employment, while investment has been increased in key areas such as education, healthcare, and elderly care. Public services are being made more equitable and accessible, and the social security system is being continuously improved. The fiscal budget has been further tilted towards improving livelihoods, with greater emphasis on boosting consumption, investing in people, and safeguarding public welfare. This ensures that the fruits of development are shared more fairly among all people, continuously enhancing their sense of gain, happiness, and security.
The driving force behind development lies in deepening reform and opening-up. The Two Sessions sent a clear signal: China will unswervingly promote high-standard opening-up. By continuing to improve the business environment, steadily expanding institutional opening-up, enhancing trade and investment facilitation, and promoting the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, China will continue to expand the space for cooperation with the world. An open China not only injects momentum into its own development, but also brings greater opportunity and confidence to the global economy.
The path to development also lies in moving forward with the world and keeping pace with the times. The situation in Iran remains a focal point in current international affairs.
At the Two Sessions press conference, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi elaborated on China’s position, outlining five basic principles for properly addressing issues related to Iran and the Middle East. These principles include respecting national sovereignty, rejecting the abuse of force, refraining from interference in internal affairs, promoting political solutions to hotspot issues, and encouraging major countries to play a constructive role and use their influence in good faith.
He emphasised that the immediate priority is to promote a cessation of hostilities and a ceasefire.
China has always been a builder of peace, a promoter of stability, and a contributor to development in the Middle East. It is willing to work with countries in the region to jointly implement the Global Security Initiative, help restore order, bring tranquillity back to the people of the Middle East, and contribute to world peace.
Against a backdrop of rising uncertainty in the global economy and mounting challenges to international development, the positive signals of high-quality development, innovation-driven growth, and expanding opening-up emerging from the Two Sessions are highly aligned with the UAE’s vision of advancing economic diversification and building an open economy. From energy transition to the digital economy, and from infrastructure development to financial services, there remains vast space and strong potential for cooperation between the two sides.
Looking ahead, China will continue to advance Chinese modernisation with steady steps. It also stands ready to work with the UAE to share opportunities through open cooperation and achieve development through mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, jointly writing a new chapter of greater prosperity and stability for our times.
