Inside China’s Central Economic Work Conference

China has wrapped up its annual Central Economic Work Conference, setting the country’s economic priorities for 2026. This year’s roadmap emphasizes boosting domestic demand, driving innovation, deepening reform and opening-up, pushing low-carbon growth, and improving people’s livelihoods—all under the guiding principle of maintaining stability while pursuing progress. The meeting comes at a pivotal moment, as China prepares its 15th Five-Year Plan and navigates an increasingly complex global landscape. So what do these signals mean for growth, for businesses, and for China’s next stage of development? Biz Talk host Zhao Yang spoke with Yan Liang, Professor of Economics, Willamette University; Chen Jiahe, chief investment officer at Novem Arcae Technologies;Li Lun, Assistant Professor of Economics, Peking University