NBS official: China has favorable conditions to achieve growth target

China has favorable conditions to achieve the annual growth targets despite a complex and challenging environment, said Fu Linghui, spokesperson and chief economist of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), at a press conference Monday in Beijing.

Fu Linghui, spokesperson and chief economist of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and director general of the Department of Comprehensive Statistics of the NBS, speaks at a press conference on China's economic performance in November in Beijing, Dec. 15, 2025. [Photo by Xu Xiang/China SCIO]

"Since the beginning of the year, faced with changes in the external environment and overlapping internal risks and challenges, the national economy has maintained overall stability and made steady progress," Fu said. "Despite difficulties and pressures, China's economy has strong resilience, macro policy support is effective, and new growth drivers are growing steadily."

Fu, who also serves as director general of the Department of Comprehensive Statistics of the NBS, said market demand has continued to expand. From January to November, total retail sales of consumer goods grew 4% year on year, faster than last year's full-year growth. Service consumption performed even better, with service retail sales rising 5.4%.

The special campaign to boost consumption has been effectively implemented, and consumption potential continues to be released, Fu said, citing strong growth in trade-in and upgraded goods, as well as the rapid emergence of new consumption scenarios and business models.

Foreign trade also showed resilience. From January to November, China's total trade in goods rose 3.6% year on year, with trade with ASEAN, the EU, and Africa growing by 8.5%, 5.4%, and 18.7%, respectively.

A drone photo taken on April 8, 2025, shows cargo ships at a container terminal of Tianjin Port in northern China's Tianjin. [Photo/Xinhua]

Fu also highlighted the continued expansion of new growth drivers, driven by the integration of technological and industrial innovation. From January to November, value-added output of high-tech manufacturing above the designated size grew 9.2% year on year, while output of industrial robots and integrated circuits rose by 29.2% and 10.6%.

Fu stressed that macro policies have continued to take effect. The implementation of policies related to major national strategies, large-scale equipment upgrades, and consumer goods trade-ins, as well as deeper progress in building a unified national market, have expanded demand, promoted production, and supported economic growth, he said.

Major international organizations have raised their forecasts for China's economic growth recently, a move that, in Fu's words, reflects the international community's confidence in China's economy.

Looking ahead, Fu acknowledged that the international environment remains uncertain but emphasized that China's long-term fundamentals remain unchanged, citing the country's strong economic foundation, numerous advantages, as well as strong resilience and growth potential.

Decisions made at the recent Central Economic Work Conference have clarified policy priorities for next year. "Moving forward, China will implement more proactive and effective macro policies, continue to expand domestic demand, optimize supply, and stabilize employment, enterprises, markets, and expectations," he said.