China Will Set Lower Growth Target as Economy Weakens, SCMP Says

China will set a lower economic growth goal for 2026 than last year, the South China Morning Post reported, in a sign top leaders may refrain from measures to reverse a slowdown that intensified in recent months.

The target range will be 4.5% to 5% this year, the newspaper said, citing three unidentified sources briefed on the matter. That’s down from “around 5%” in 2025 and compares with a goal of 8% as recently as in 2011.

Policymakers likely agreed on the decision in December at a major planning conference in Beijing, but won’t officially publicize the new objective ...