In a Beijing press conference on Wednesday, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva announced an upgraded forecast for the Chinese mainland’s GDP growth in 2025, raising it by 0.2 percentage points to 5.0 percent.
The improved outlook reflects the impact of targeted macro policy stimulus measures and lower-than-expected tariffs on the Chinese mainland’s exports, the IMF said in its latest World Economic Outlook update. For 2026, the fund now expects growth to hit 4.5 percent, up from its earlier forecast of 4.2 percent.
This revision comes as the Chinese mainland rebounds from pandemic-era disruptions, with a stronger exports sector and supportive fiscal and monetary policies driving activity across key tech and manufacturing hubs.
Despite these gains, the IMF cautioned that structural challenges remain. A protracted adjustment in the property sector, softening domestic demand, and lingering deflationary pressures could weigh on momentum if left unchecked.
Georgieva also highlighted recommendations from the Chinese mainland’s 15th Five-Year Plan, praising its focus on shifting growth drivers from goods to services and boosting consumption. “These steps are moving the economy in the right direction,” she said.
For young entrepreneurs and digital nomads, the service-led shift could unlock new opportunities in fintech, e-commerce, and creative industries, while stronger growth may reshape export markets and tourism flows worldwide.
As the Chinese mainland navigates its next growth phase, global investors and policy watchers will be watching how these policy measures translate into real-world results and ripple through markets in 2025 and beyond.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
