On March 4, China's "two sessions"—the annual meetings of the country's top legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC), and top political advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)—kicked off in Beijing, drawing global attention.

In a world of heightened uncertainties, the analysis of China's development trajectory reveals a clear trend: even amid complex global conditions, China's economy consistently advances toward higher-quality growth, demonstrating strong resilience. It remains one of the world's most stable, reliable and proactive forces.

The World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2026 identifies uncertainty itself as a defining global risk this year. Recently, rising geopolitical tensions have only intensified, increasing the risks facing the world economy.

In a more volatile international landscape, why is China still widely regarded as a source of confidence that helps stabilize global expectations?

This certainty comes from strategic planning. Looking at the history of global economic development, only a handful of large economies have managed to navigate economic cycles while sustaining long-term, steady growth.

Since launching its first Five-Year Plan in 1953, China has formulated and implemented 14 Five-Year Plans, progressively achieving remarkable development in human history.

Today, China's planning system is widely regarded by the international community as one of the most distinctive and effective models of national governance in the contemporary world.

The 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) has become a key phrase frequently cited by international media in their coverage of this year's "two sessions."

"A China with clear plans, well-defined goals and continued openness is not only a blessing for the country itself, but also for the world," said Gyula Thurmer, president of the Hungarian Workers' Party.

From steadily advancing a modern industrial system and accelerating a modern infrastructure network, to deepening scientific and technological innovation and promoting a green and low-carbon transition, China's vision for the 15th Five-Year Plan demonstrates forward-looking strategic thinking. This vision has boosted confidence in China's development prospects, unlocking predictable market opportunities and shared development dividends.

This certainty is underpinned by China's strong resilience in its development. During the "two sessions" each year, the country's economic targets for the year ahead become a focal point of global analysis. Even amid mounting global headwinds, China's steady progress has sparked growing international anticipation.

In recent months, multiple international institutions have raised their forecasts for China's 2026 growth, citing confidence in its stable economic performance.

This resilience is evident. Despite a challenging global environment in 2025, China's economy grew by 5 percent, adding more than 5 trillion yuan (the size of a mid-sized developed economy) to its output. The vitality of its consumer market was highlighted during the recent Spring Festival holiday, with domestic tourist spending up 126.4 billion yuan ($18.33 billion) year-on-year. An estimated 9.5 billion cross-regional trips during the Spring Festival travel rush further underscored this dynamism.

More fundamentally, the resilience stems from China's increasingly robust economic foundation. British economist John Ross emphasized the deep integration of technology and industry in China.

He noted that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China achieved historic breakthroughs, becoming a technological leader in several key industries—a feat unmatched by any other developing country. Ross highlighted that this comprehensive strength enables China to offset the negative impacts of external geopolitical actions.

Certainty also comes from China's unwavering commitment to opening-up. China's economy not only maintains stability and growth but also remains deeply integrated with the global economy, sharing opportunities with partners worldwide. As noted by a Pakistani media outlet in its analysis of the "two sessions," China's policy direction shapes the well-being of its 1.4 billion people and holds significant implications for global economic growth and the direction of emerging technological revolutions.

Today, China is a major trading partner for more than 150 countries and regions and has been the world's second-largest import market for 17 consecutive years. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China's outward investment generated more than $300 billion in tax revenue for host countries. Some US media outlets have described China as an anchor for a global economy seeking new engines of growth.

Since the beginning of this year, trade and economic delegations from many countries have visited China one after another, achieving fruitful outcomes. Recent surveys by the German and  American Chambers of Commerce in China show that multinational companies continue to expand their investments in China, demonstrating both confidence in and commitment to the Chinese market.

At a time when the world economy urgently needs a stabilizing anchor, China—entering the 15th Five-Year Plan period and continuing to advance toward high-quality development—will remain a trustworthy and dependable partner for all. It will continue providing the most valuable and scarce resource for a turbulent world: certainty.