Column: China is entering a new era of economic maturity

by Chris Sherrard

China's economic outlook is often framed abroad as a question of how much growth Beijing can stimulate -- and how quickly. Yet recent policy signals tell a different story -- one of strategic transformation, resilience and sustained fiscal progress.

That was clear from the annual Central Economic Work Conference in Beijing, which laid out the country's economic priorities for 2026 and offered a roadmap for the next stage of development in the world's second largest economy.

As the conference ran through the list of key tasks for the year ahead, the scale of the ambition became ever clearer -- stabilizing employment, boosting consumption and investment, advancing technological innovation, deepening reforms, expanding opening-up, promoting green development, and safeguarding social stability and livelihoods. It is a to-do list few governments would even contemplate, let alone publicly commit to delivering.

Rather than relying solely on the speed and scale of growth, Chinese policymakers are increasingly prioritizing quality, sustainability and resilience, reflecting confidence in the country's ability to deliver steady, long-term economic expansion while navigating a complex domestic and international environment.

I closely follow these developments from a distance. From where I am in Northern Ireland -- a region which should be fully exploiting the dual-market access of its unique geographical environs, namely being both inside and outside the EU -- it seems clear that for China, innovation is no longer a slogan or abstract concept. It is the engine of the nation's economic strategy and the driver of its growth.

As an old Irish saying goes, "Ní neart go cur le chéile" -- there is no strength without unity -- a principle reflected in China's emphasis on coordinated growth across sectors and regions.

I saw it myself earlier this year on a visit to the northwestern Chinese city of Xi'an, where the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been brought to life, not in grandiose displays, but in the quiet ingenuity of its infrastructure and innovation hubs. Walking through the sprawling logistics and industrial zones, one was struck by the seamless integration of advanced technologies -- from smart warehousing systems and automated supply chains to digital trade platforms connecting Xi'an to markets across Eurasia.

Here, a stone's throw from the historical treasures and tales of the terracotta warriors, a new global vision is on the march -- one which is built on practical, high-tech solutions on the ground, marrying efficiency with forward-looking design.

The BRI is not just a geopolitical strategy; it is a living laboratory of innovation, quietly reshaping trade, logistics and industrial collaboration at a scale that often goes unnoticed but is profoundly impactful. This emerging "smart industrial ecosystem" is positioning China to move further up global value chains and compete more effectively in high-tech markets, as the economy transitions toward a more sustainable growth model.

For investors and international businesses, the implication is clear: China is moving toward structurally stronger growth, underpinned by innovation that is already reshaping industries and boosting productivity.

When I walked through Beijing's commercial heart, these reforms were tangible: broader access for foreign firms, and increasing collaboration with local companies. Openness is being approached strategically, enabling the country to remain integrated in global supply chains while accelerating domestic innovation.

Green growth is another area where China is turning policy into economic opportunity. Decarbonization, renewable energy and sustainable urban development are no longer regulatory goals; they are launchpads for new industries, jobs and exports.

During my stay in China, I witnessed the fruits of large-scale investments in clean energy, electric transportation and green infrastructure. In Beijing, for example, visitors expecting to be met with blankets of smog and meager shafts of the horizon are instead pleasantly surprised to breathe clean air and see the full expanse of blue sky.

China faces challenges, from its much-discussed demographic shifts to external tariffs. But for international businesses and investors, the message is encouraging: China is not simply trying to recover growth but is reorienting its economy toward higher-quality, sustainable expansion.

Seen up close, China is clearly entering a new era of economic maturity. Growth is not slowing; it is becoming smarter, more resilient and more sustainable. The combination of innovation, openness and green development offers a blueprint for long-term prosperity, positioning the Asian giant as a key engine of both domestic and global economic opportunity.

Editor's note: Chris Sherrard is the editor-in-chief of The Irish News.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Xinhua News Agency.