‘Two sessions 2025’: talent and tech tipped to drive China’s growth, top advisory body says

Economic fundamentals are stable, CPPCC spokesman says, as attention shifts to private sector

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Liu Jieyi, spokesman for China’s top political advisory body, arrives for a press conference ahead of the opening of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. Photo: AP

Meredith Chenin BeijingandJane Caiin Beijing

Published: 8:11pm, 3 Mar 2025Updated: 2:43pm, 12 Mar 2025

China’s focus on expertise and innovation have been powerful drivers of growth over the past year and look set to remain so despite the “profound” changes around the world.

That was the message Liu Jieyi delivered on Monday ahead of the annual session in Beijing of the country’s top advisory body, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Addressing the media, Liu, the CPPCC’s spokesman for the session, said China’s vast market had potential to unlock fresh spending and was supported by a well-established industrial system.

“Currently, the internal and external environments are undergoing profound and complex changes, and China’s economic operations are facing some difficulties and challenges. Consumer demand remains low, and risks in certain areas still need to be addressed,” Liu said.

“However, it is important to recognise that China’s economic fundamentals are stable, there are many advantages, resilience is strong, and potential is significant. The long-term supportive conditions and basic trends for improvement have not changed.”

The CPPCC gathering is one of the annual “two sessions” during which the country’s political elite meet to lay out economic priorities for the year. The other is the meeting of the National People’s Congress, China’s top lawmakers.