China's 2026 economic growth target "proactive and pragmatic": official

China's economic growth target for 2026 is "proactive and pragmatic," reflecting a broad assessment of domestic conditions and shifts in the external environment, an official said Thursday.

The target of 4.5 percent to 5 percent economic growth, while striving to achieve better results in practice, is intended to strike a balance between what is needed and what is feasible, said Shen Danyang, head of the group responsible for drafting this year's government work report, which was submitted to the national legislature for deliberation earlier in the day.

At a press conference, Shen said the target range leaves room for structural adjustment, risk prevention and reforms while remaining broadly aligned with the country's 2035 vision.

It preserves flexibility to respond to a more complex external environment, allows local governments to tailor regional goals, and helps steer attention toward high-quality development, he stressed.

The target is also consistent with China's growth potential, Shen said, noting that many economic institutions, economists and think tanks at home and abroad have run their own estimates and found results broadly in line with the government's expectations.

The projected pace would also be among the highest for major economies globally, the official said.

China's economic resilience, the growth of new quality productive forces, more proactive macro policies and deeper reforms in key areas will help unlock further potential, Shen added.

"As long as we make full and effective use of all favorable conditions, we can fully strive for better results, achieving a tangible improvement in quality and a reasonable increase in quantity," he said.

On the country's macro policies, Chen Changsheng, a member of the work report drafting group, said at the press conference that China will strengthen policy support this year as external uncertainties intensify and a "strong supply, weak demand" pattern persists domestically.

China still has room for further policy action, Chen said. Compared with other major economies, China's government debt ratio -- especially that of the central government -- remains relatively low, and the conditions for cuts to required reserve ratios and interest rates are still in place.

China's government work report has positioned the expansion of domestic demand at its priority task for two consecutive years, with an emphasis on special initiatives to bolster consumption.

Shen detailed the country's policy toolkit to stimulate consumption, which includes raising household incomes and upgrading supply, strengthening health care, elderly care and childcare support, using fiscal and financial measures to back consumer goods trade-in programs, and removing barriers and restrictions regarding consumption. ■