China

Global Times | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

Peng Qing'en, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, criticized the Lai Ching-te authorities for exaggerating the so-called "mainland threat." He accused them of escalating confrontation and antagonism across the Taiwan Straits, actions he said contradict the island's mainstream public opinion favoring peace, development, exchanges, and cooperation.

Peng made these remarks in response to a case involving a man surnamed Qiao, from a Taiwan-based airline, who was sentenced to six months in prison for bribery. Qiao was accused of attempting to obtain secrets from an official of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council on behalf of a mainland intelligence agency, related to commissioned research projects.

Xinhua | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | UndeterminedTech Development/Adoption

China has established the world's largest electric vehicle (EV) charging network, capable of supporting the charging needs of more than 40 million new energy vehicles. By the end of 2025, the total number of EV charging facilities in China reached 20.092 million, according to the National Energy Administration (NEA).

The expansion of China’s charging infrastructure accelerated significantly in 2025, with the number of units doubling from 10 million to 20 million in just 18 months. The average power capacity of public EV charging facilities increased to 46.5 kilowatts, marking a 33 percent rise year on year.

China has also installed 71,500 charging piles at more than 98 percent of its expressway service areas. Additionally, 19 provincial-level regions have achieved complete coverage of charging infrastructure in all townships.

Xinhua | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | UndeterminedEconomic Growth

China's 2025 GDP growth demonstrated resilience amid global uncertainties, reflecting the early effects of a strategic economic rebalancing under the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). Policymakers are shifting focus from pursuing headline growth figures to enhancing economic stability and balance by expanding domestic demand, investing in human capital, and promoting innovation. This approach prioritizes long-term resilience through targeted support rather than broad stimulus measures.

The central bank's recent cautious monetary easing and planned increased fiscal spending for 2026 underscore the government's commitment to sustainable development. Fiscal resources will be directed towards consumption, human capital investment, and livelihood protection, balancing current needs with medium- and long-term financial sustainability. External observers see this as a sign of China's strategic transformation toward economic maturity.

Structural rebalancing is central to the new economic direction, with domestic consumption and technological advancement replacing traditional growth drivers like investment and exports. The government plans to release a domestic demand expansion strategy for 2026-2030, emphasizing sectors such as elderly care, green technology, and cultural tourism. Innovation, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence, is expected to enhance productivity and drive future growth.

A strong emphasis is placed on investing in people, viewing human capital as essential to sustainable growth and innovation. Policies aim to increase household incomes, stabilize and improve employment quality, and leverage China’s vast pool of STEM graduates to transition from a "population dividend" to a "talent dividend." This focus on intrinsic economic stability through rebalancing is poised to shape China's development trajectory amid global complexities in 2026 and beyond.