China Doubles Down on Tech Dominance With New Five-Year Plan as Congress Wraps Up Annual Meeting

As the Iran war commands global attention, China is forging its own path. The National People's Congress formally endorsed a new five-year plan Thursday at the close of its annual meeting, cementing technology, including artificial intelligence and robotics, as the nation's top economic priority. Premier Li Qiang set a 2026 economic growth target of 4.5% to 5%, giving Beijing room to pursue long-term goals over short-term output. The plan's climate targets drew scrutiny, pledging only a 17% reduction in emissions intensity rather than absolute cuts. The Congress also passed a sweeping ethnic minorities law, which critics say advances assimilation, and approved the five-year plan by 2,758 votes to one, with two abstentions. Workers' rights proposals gained traction on social media, including calls to double minimum paid vacation from five to 10 days.