China's economic performance report for the first half of 2026 has recently been released, showing the nation's gross domestic product reached 69.5704 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 4.7% calculated at constant prices.

Observations such as "demonstrating strong resilience," "presenting a steady performance," and "related industries like artificial intelligence and renewable energy showing bright spots" are being made by the international community as it reviews this report card, perceiving the underlying strength and potential of the Chinese economy and enhancing confidence in China's development prospects.

In the opening year of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the Chinese economy has withstood pressures, operating within a reasonable range, continuing a general trend of stability and advancement towards new, superior quality development, showcasing formidable resilience and vitality, and also presenting the world with broader market prospects and cooperation opportunities.

In terms of incremental growth, the economic increment for the first half was 3.6 trillion yuan, marking the largest increase for the same period in nearly five years.

On the massive base of over 140 trillion yuan, and despite multiple external shocks including volatility in global energy markets and the restructuring of industrial and supply chains, the Chinese economy has continued to advance steadily: production and supply have grown relatively fast, the employment situation has remained generally stable, prices have maintained a mild increase, people's livelihoods have been solidly supported, and development resilience has been consistently demonstrated.

Not long ago, the International Monetary Fund released a report, lowering its global economic growth forecast for 2026 while simultaneously raising its growth forecast for China by 0.2 percentage points.

This juxtaposition of a downward revision for the world and an upward revision for China confirms the widespread optimism within the international community regarding China's economic outlook and underscores China's value as a crucial engine for global economic growth.

The observation by a German news agency that "China is increasing support for future industries like artificial intelligence, with expectations of cultivating new economic growth points" has been clearly reflected in China's economic performance during the first half.

In the first six months, the value added of China's high-tech manufacturing industries above a designated scale increased by 13.3% year-on-year. Artificial intelligence-related sectors such as integrated circuit manufacturing and intelligent vehicle equipment manufacturing maintained high-speed growth exceeding 30%.

New growth drivers represented by high-end manufacturing, the digital economy, and modern services contributed over 40% to economic growth, highlighting a distinct trend of economic structural optimization and upgrading.

Multiple types of commercial rockets were successfully launched, technological research in frontier fields such as quantum information, integrated circuits, and nuclear fusion progressed steadily, and the performance of artificial intelligence large models continued to achieve breakthroughs with expanding application scenarios... China's innovation-driven development consistently adheres to an open and sharing philosophy.

The industrial application of cutting-edge technologies not only injects endogenous momentum into its own economic growth but also provides new supplies and solutions for the transformation and upgrading of global industries, fostering coordinated development across upstream and downstream segments of the global industrial chain.

During this year's FIFA World Cup hosted across North America, Chinese elements were ubiquitous, with Chinese air conditioners, fans, refrigerators, and other home appliances bringing "cool comfort" to consumers in many countries... In the first half, China's total goods import and export volume reached 25.4686 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 16.9%, solidifying its position as the world's largest goods trading nation.

Looking at exports, the export of mechanical and electrical products grew by 20.1%, while exports of high-tech products and self-owned brands increased by 39% and 25.4% respectively. Chinese manufacturing is transitioning from "expansion in quantity" to a "leap in quality," continuously improving the global supply chain system while providing consumers worldwide with high-quality, cost-effective goods.

On the import side, total goods imports amounted to 10.7372 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 22.1%. China, with its continuously unleashed domestic demand potential, is no longer just the "world's factory" but has also become a "world market" with vast opportunities.

Following China's implementation of zero-tariff measures for 53 African diplomatic partner countries in May this year, imports from Africa in May and June grew by 23.5% year-on-year, serving as a vivid example of how China's opening-up dividends benefit the globe and foster shared development with all parties.

In the face of rising anti-globalization sentiment, China's pace of opening up has never stalled, consistently creating opportunities for countries worldwide through its own development.

As the world's second-largest consumer market, largest online retail market, and second-largest import market, China, with its stable and predictable development environment, comprehensive industrial system, efficient logistics network, and mature industrial supporting capabilities, continues to attract the convergence of global resources and factors.

An increasing number of multinational corporations are positioning China as a crucial part of their global layout, enhancing their global competitiveness while deepening their engagement with the Chinese market.

Michael Heldmann, Chief Investment Officer for Equities at Allianz Global Investors, has stated that the Chinese market possesses profound potential and abundant innovative vitality, "representing a long-term investment opportunity." This sentiment is a direct reflection of international investors' confidence in China's development.

The resilient forward momentum and robust positive trajectory of the Chinese economy also represent significant positive factors for global economic recovery.

A China that continuously unleashes its domestic demand potential, gathers new and superior growth drivers, and advances high-level opening-up in depth will remain a vital engine for world economic growth.

China will persist in sharing development opportunities with all nations through its own high-quality and sustainable development, promoting strong, sustainable, balanced, and inclusive growth in the world economy.