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China's economy expanded 4.6% in the first three quarters of 2026, with exports and high-tech manufacturing continuing to provide support, while consumption and industrial output picked up in September. What do the latest numbers reveal about China's growth momentum and economic transformation? Can renewed momentum and an improved structure help sustain growth in the months ahead?

China's economy grew 4.6% in the first three quarters of 2026, reaching more than 107 trillion yuan, or 16 trillion US dollars. Data shows that new growth drivers, including high-end manufacturing, the digital economy, and modern services, contributed more than 40% to economic growth. On the demand side, services are increasingly an important engine of consumer spending. What do these figures tell us about the transformation of China's economy? And what opportunities can China offer to the rest of the world?

China has unveiled 19 new measures to accelerate the development of New Quality Productive Forces, putting tech innovation and industrial upgrading at the heart of its growth strategy. At the forefront are strategic industries such as AI, new-energy vehicles, and semiconductors. China's NEV exports surged 130 percent in the first nine months, while semiconductor exports jumped 99 percent over the same period. What has enabled these strategic industries to develop so rapidly? How sustainable is their momentum in an increasingly competitive global market? And what does China's drive to develop New Quality Productive Forces tell us about its vision for the future of economic growth?

For decades, China-Germany auto cooperation followed a simple model: German technology and expertise meeting a fast-growing Chinese market. That model is changing. China is now a major innovation hub for EVs, batteries and automotive software. As the relationship shifts from one-way learning to co-creation, can the industries expand the automotive innovation frontier—and what does this mean for the global industry?

China's long holiday is offering a fresh look at how consumers are changing the way they spend. Inbound tourism is surging, industrial sites are becoming new attractions, and younger consumers are spending more on sports, leisure, and experiences. International travelers are venturing beyond China’s traditional tourist destinations, while factory floors and production lines are becoming part of their travel experience. At home, climbing, cycling, and camping are creating new forms of holiday spending. What does a good holiday look like for Chinese consumers today? What can these emerging trends tell us about the next phase of China’s domestic demand?

For nearly five decades, the World Economic Forum and China have been part of a changing global economic story. From China's early engagement with Davos to the establishment of the Forum's Beijing office in 2006 and the launch of the annual meeting of the new champions, or summer Davos, in China the following year, that relationship has evolved alongside China's growing role in the global economy. Today, as AI, evolving trade dynamics, and geopolitical shifts reshape the global economic landscape, the center of gravity of the global economy is shifting, while new sources of growth and opportunity are emerging. Against this backdrop, the relationship between the Forum and China is also opening up new possibilities.

China is building a nationwide computing power network as AI drives soaring demand for data centers and electricity. As part of its "six networks" infrastructure strategy, China aims to make computing power a new engine of economic growth. Experts say China's share of global computing capacity is expected to reach 30 percent by 2030. How can China turn its infrastructure and energy advantages into real productivity gains in the AI economy?

The summit in Washington between the Chinese and US presidents puts the future of the world's most consequential bilateral relationship back in focus. China and the US have described their ties as a constructive relationship of strategic stability. What would that mean in practice? Can greater predictability take hold even as competition continues? How can deep economic ties help provide a more durable foundation for this relationship?

China and the United States remain deeply intertwined economically. For American businesses, the key question is whether China remains a market they cannot afford to overlook. China and the United States have reached consensus in several areas in their eighth round of economic and trade consultations, covering tariffs, trade and investment, while the two sides also launched their first dialogue on artificial intelligence. So, where does the China-US economic relationship stand today, and where are the new opportunities for businesses on both sides?

The US Federal Reserve has resumed raising interest rates for the first time in three years, while the Bank of Japan has also raised its policy rate to 1.25 percent. With energy prices remaining elevated and inflationary pressures persisting, central banks are taking a more hawkish stance. Will the tightening cycle continue? And what could it mean for the dollar, yen, renminbi, bonds and gold?

The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates for the first time since 2023, delivering a quarter-point hike as it steps up its fight against persistent inflation. With U.S. consumer prices accelerating to 3.7% in August and energy costs rising amid geopolitical tensions, the Fed is signaling that borrowing costs could move even higher before the year is out. What does this mean for the U.S. consumers, businesses, and financial conditions? What are the global implications?

The 2026 BRICS Summit is taking place in New Delhi, India. Veteran Chinese and Indian experts explain how the expanded BRICS translates into deeper cooperation and a more influential role in global governance.

China has built the world's largest battery industrial system, and manufacturers are capturing a growing global market share. The industry is entering a new phase--one shaped by solid-state batteries, recycling, and increasingly fierce global competition. At the same time, Tesla is also pushing its EV story forward, launching limited driverless ride-hailing services in Austin, Texas, with its Cybercab. The vehicles have no steering wheel or pedals. As batteries, AI, and autonomous driving converge, where will the next competitive edge in the global EV industry come from?

Trade, technology and entrepreneurship are creating new opportunities under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. What do these actually mean for young people?

China's semiconductor industry is gaining momentum. Profits across the sector surged more than 18-fold through the first seven months of the year as demand for AI computing, chips, and data-center infrastructure continues to accelerate. But this is more than just about a semiconductor rebound. China is rapidly expanding computing capacity and pushing AI deeper into the real economy, from smart factories and supply chains to healthcare and everyday life. What's driving this surge in AI demand? Could AI become a new engine of productivity? And as China's economy becomes increasingly "smart", what could that mean for the global economy?