Nation's growth plans inject confidence into MNCs

Editor's Note: As China launches its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), policymakers are strengthening coordination between the "Export to China" and "Shopping in China" campaigns. The effort signals a clear commitment to expanding imports while promoting high-quality consumption. To explore what this means for global business, we invited executives from multinational corporations to share their perspectives on the opportunities in China's vast market, the role of their China operations in global strategy, and their outlook for the years ahead.

Q1 China's GDP grew 5 percent in 2025, reaching 140.19 trillion yuan ($20.52 trillion). For 2026, the government targets growth of between 4.5 percent and 5 percent, with a planned deficit ratio of around 4 percent. How do you assess the credibility and policies backing this target? Amid moderating global demand, what does China's relative growth certainty mean for your company's global capital allocation, earnings outlook and investor expectations? Does the combination of proactive fiscal policies and accommodative monetary measures reinforce your confidence in sustaining or expanding operations in China?

Ni: The 4.5-5 percent growth target reflects a pragmatic balance, prioritizing quality and sustainability amid rising uncertainties. It is underpinned by proactive fiscal and monetary policies, alongside a continued focus on developing new productive forces, advancing sustainability and strengthening industrial chain resilience.

Amid slowing global demand, China's relative growth certainty serves as a stabilizer for us. It reinforces our confidence in the market's long-term potential and highlights China's strategic role as both a key demand market and a central hub for supply chain optimization and regional coordination. At Kuehne+Nagel, the strategic importance of the China market continues to grow. To support Chinese companies' overseas expansion, we are strengthening resources and capabilities across our global network, including bolt-on investments and acquisitions.

Abebe: I am very pleased to see the importance the Chinese government places on its 2026 economic growth expectations and the increased policy support. The Chinese market is a vital pillar of Ethiopian Airlines' global route network, and its stability directly impacts our cargo volume and passenger load factors. We also look forward to leveraging China's proactive fiscal policies to drive demand for freight in categories such as machinery and cross-border e-commerce parcels between China and Africa. By utilizing our hub in Addis Ababa, we aim to facilitate global trade flows and serve as a robust aerial bridge between China and Africa.

Zhou: China's steady economic growth profoundly benefits livelihoods, fostering higher standards of living for its population. This includes growing consumer expectations for safe and nutritious diet options. As China's population becomes more urbanized and economically empowered, we observe increased appreciation for premium protein offerings, driving our strategic focus on product quality and sustainability.

Stable growth, underpinned by proactive fiscal policy and accommodative monetary measures, also strengthens the foundation for ongoing investment. This further reinforces our confidence in China's future and our continued engagement here. China's stable growth supports economic resilience and drives improvements in dietary patterns. This dynamic reinforces our commitment to expanding operations, investing in innovation and contributing to China's evolving food and feed landscape for the years to come.

Xu: China insists on high-level opening-up and continuously improves the business environment, offering Airbus a more stable environment for business development. The resilience and certainty demonstrated by the Chinese supply chain have also strengthened Airbus' confidence in continuously increasing its investment in China. Airbus inaugurated its second A320 Family FAL in Tianjin to support the global A320 Family ramp-up plan. Meanwhile, the Airbus Aircraft Lifecycle Service Center in Chengdu, Sichuan province, has begun aircraft dismantling and recycling, marking cooperation between Airbus and China covering the entire lifecycle of aircraft.