China In Context
China In Context
SOAS China Institute
Slower Growth, Hi-tech Self-reliance, and 'Ethnic Unity' — China plans the future
40 minutes Posted Mar 18, 2026 at 6:00 pm.
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China's legislature this month set the nation's GDP growth target at 4.5 – 5%, the lowest since 1991, and also approved the country's new five year plan, which calls for higher quality growth with an emphasis on self-reliance and technological innovation, and pledges to promote domestic consumption and improve citizens' livelihoods. The National People’s Congress also passed a new 'Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity', which among other things, enshrines the use of Mandarin in schools in ethnic min...