When the Chinese mainland’s economy surpassed the 140-trillion-yuan mark last year, it signaled more than a headline milestone. Crossing that threshold in 2025 underscored the scale needed to bolster stability, widen opportunities and sustain growth at home and abroad.
Scaling up for household security
A bigger economy gives the government extra room to weather shocks and invest in people’s livelihoods. During the most recent Five-Year Plan (2021–2025), over 70 percent of general public budget spending on the Chinese mainland went toward pensions, health coverage and upgrades to schools and hospitals. These investments translate macro growth into everyday security.
Fueling jobs and new industries
Every one-percentage-point uptick in GDP growth supports roughly 2 million jobs, economists say. As the mainland shifts toward advanced manufacturing, AI and robotics, fresh roles—from AI trainers to robot maintenance engineers—are emerging. National-level manufacturing clusters have added about 8 trillion yuan in value over five years, diversifying the job market.
Income growth that follows GDP
Last year, GDP grew by 5 percent while real per capita disposable income rose at a similar pace. This alignment shows that growth is reaching households through wages, jobs and consumption, creating a virtuous cycle where spending and innovation feed back into the economy.
Ripples felt around the world
In 2025, the Chinese mainland accounted for around 30 percent of global economic growth. Its vast manufacturing sector keeps supply chains anchored, and a 50-trillion-yuan retail market offers predictable scale. R&D spending has topped the OECD average for the first time, marking a shift toward technology-driven expansion and deeper international collaboration.
More than a statistic, the 140-trillion-yuan figure reflects the economic life it sustains: from homes and jobs on the mainland to stability and innovation that resonate globally.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
