On January 19, data released by the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the preliminary accounting indicated the annual gross domestic product (GDP) reached 140.1879 trillion yuan, representing a 5.0% growth over the previous year when calculated at constant prices. At a State Council press conference, Kang Yi, Commissioner of the National Bureau of Statistics, summarized the economic performance of the past year with four words: "steady, progressive, innovative, and resilient." The "steady" foundation was consolidated. In 2025, China's GDP surpassed the 140 trillion yuan mark for the first time, growing 5.0% year-on-year; the average surveyed urban unemployment rate was 5.2%, indicating overall stable employment; goods trade reached a new record high, and the foreign exchange reserve balance exceeded $3.3 trillion. The pace of "progressive" development became more robust. In 2025, the value-added of high-tech manufacturing above the designated size accounted for 17.1% of the total industrial value-added above the designated size. The Law on Promoting the Private Economy officially came into effect, and efforts to curb "involution-style" competition showed results. The Hainan Free Trade Port commenced full island customs closure operations. In 2025, China's total goods imports and exports increased by 3.8% compared to the previous year. Livelihood safeguards were strong and effective, with per capita disposable income of residents rising by 5.0% in real terms, keeping pace with economic growth. Positive progress was made in areas concerning elderly care, childcare, and healthcare. The cultivation of "innovative" drivers gained momentum. In 2025, China's R&D spending intensity reached 2.8%, an increase of 0.11 percentage points from the previous year, exceeding the OECD average for the first time, and its innovation index ranking broke into the global top ten for the first time. China reported frequent achievements in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and brain-computer interfaces. In 2025, the value-added of digital product manufacturing above the designated size grew by 9.3% year-on-year, with server and industrial robot production experiencing rapid growth; green electricity, green energy, and the green economy flourished, with new energy vehicles accounting for over 50% of domestic new car sales. The economy's "resilient" character became increasingly prominent. Globally, China's economic growth rate ranked among the highest of the major economies, serving as the most stable and reliable engine for global growth, with its contribution to world economic growth estimated at around 30%. The pattern of diversified and stable foreign trade is accelerating, as China is now the main trading partner for over 150 countries and regions, with high-tech, high-value-added products becoming the main drivers of export growth, demonstrating strong foreign trade resilience. In 2025, the export value of high-tech products increased by 13.2% compared to the previous year.
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