Beijing has established an ambitious economic target for 2026, aiming to achieve over 5% GDP growth following its milestone achievement of reaching 5 trillion yuan ($717 billion) in economic output during 2025. Mayor Yin Yong announced this objective while presenting the government work report at the city’s annual legislative and advisory sessions, marking a strategic commencement to China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).
The municipal government outlined comprehensive plans to deepen regional integration with Tianjin and Hebei province while accelerating scientific and technological innovation. Statistical data reveals substantial progress in regional collaboration, with 689 enterprises relocating from Beijing to register at the Binhai-Zhongguancun science park in Tianjin’s Binhai New Area. Technology contract transactions from Beijing to Tianjin and Hebei surged to 99.6 billion yuan, representing an 18.1% year-on-year increase.
Significant advancements were reported across key industrial sectors including biopharmaceuticals, complemented by the launch of a new energy vehicle ecological port within the region. Mayor Yin emphasized enhanced focus on optimizing regional technological innovation mechanisms, stating: “We will implement a series of initiatives to pioneer basic research and overcome critical core technologies, while strengthening strategic scientific capabilities including Beijing’s national laboratories.”
Beijing plans to establish innovative research platforms in cutting-edge fields such as brain-computer interfaces and high-temperature superconductors. The city will further reinforce its innovation infrastructure, with Zhongguancun Science Park prioritizing artificial intelligence development. Concurrently, the Huairou National Comprehensive Science Center will advance high-end scientific equipment manufacturing, while accelerated development of Nankou and Machikou national-level key centers alongside Changping district’s science town will facilitate industrial achievement transformation.
Lin Jianhua, Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform, revealed the launch of an “AI Plus” initiative designed to expand artificial intelligence integration across quantum technology, commercial aerospace, and biopharmaceutical sectors. “This strategic approach will cultivate new industrial growth engines,” Lin affirmed.
The municipal government also highlighted quality-of-life improvements, particularly for elderly residents. Li Fengqin, member of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, shared an impactful anecdote demonstrating enhanced government services: an elderly man expressed profound gratitude through a banner presentation after his 90-year-old disabled mother received professional bathing assistance through the district’s long-term care insurance program after four years of inability. This initiative, described as a “sixth type” of social insurance, addresses China’s aging population challenges and after six years of pilot implementation in Shijingshan district, is poised for expansion across Beijing and nationwide.