Prosperity comes with responsibility

China’s 2025 experience shows that strategic planning can generate solid results, offering Europe, particularly Spain, an opportunity for shared stability and growth

The Chinese economy reached a historic milestone in 2025, with its GDP surpassing 140 trillion yuan ($20.26 trillion) for the first time, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. This achievement reflects China’s ability to maintain stable growth despite geopolitical tensions, economic slowdowns in various regions of the world, and profound technological and industrial transformations.

In percentage terms, the Chinese economy grew by 5 percent year-on-year, meeting the target set at the beginning of the year and successfully concluding the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25). For a large-scale economy, also undergoing internal structural adjustments such as the clean energy transition and the push for technological transformation, this result has been particularly difficult to achieve and, therefore, significant.

One of the most distinctive features of China’s economic performance in 2025 has been the combination of strategic vision and operational flexibility. Long-term planning, articulated through the five-year plans, provides a stable framework for guiding investment, technological innovation, and regional development. At the same time, the authorities have acted pragmatically to adjust fiscal, monetary and industrial policies according to the evolving economic conditions.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China has strengthened its commitment to high-quality growth. Domestic consumption has gained ground, the manufacturing industry has moved toward higher value-added segments, and innovation has solidified its position as a key driver of development. In parallel, specific measures have been adopted to maintain stable full employment, support small and medium-sized enterprises, and prevent systemic financial risks.

The result has been a more resilient economy capable of sustaining growth even in a volatile international environment. Exceeding the 140-trillion-yuan mark is, in this sense, both an achieved goal and a solid foundation for the coming year.

At the two sessions — the annual meetings of the country’s top legislative body and its top political advisory body in March — the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) will be adopted, outlining the economic and social priorities.

The discussions leading up to these meetings, in addition to placing people’s well-being at the center, have emphasized technological innovation, green development, industrial modernization, expanding domestic demand and, most notably, high-standard opening-up to the outside world. Far from closing itself off, China seeks to deepen its integration with the global economy, improve the quality of foreign investment, and foster a more transparent and predictable business environment.

In this context, relations between China and the European Union occupy a central place. The EU is one of China’s main trading partners, and the economic interdependence between the two has continued to expand. European companies are actively involved in sectors such as electric vehicles, advanced chemicals, industrial engineering and environmental services in the Chinese market.

At the same time, Chinese companies are investing in Europe in areas such as renewable energy, logistics, e-commerce and equipment manufacturing. This relationship is not without its challenges, but it offers ample opportunities if managed through dialogue, reciprocity and mutual respect.

Within the European framework, the relationship between Spain and China presents significant potential. In recent years, bilateral trade has grown steadily, with Spanish exports becoming increasingly diversified. Agri-food products such as olive oil, wine, and pork have found a large market in China, while Chinese companies supply Spain with industrial goods, technology and consumer products.

Beyond trade, bilateral investment offers new opportunities. Spanish companies with experience in renewable energy, water management, infrastructure and tourism can benefit from China’s green transition and high-quality urbanization. In turn, Chinese investment in Spain can contribute to industrial modernization, job creation, and regional development.

A clear example is cooperation in clean energy. China leads the world in the production of solar panels and wind turbines, while Spain has a robust regulatory framework and experience in integrating renewables into the grid. Collaboration in this area can generate economic and environmental benefits for both parties.

Looking ahead, practical cooperation is emerging as the central focus of economic relations between China and European countries such as Spain. In trade and investment, the goal may be to move toward more stable, diversified and risk-resilient supply chains. In industrial development, the focus can be on smart manufacturing, digitalization and the transition to low-carbon industries.

New areas of cooperation are currently gaining relevance. Green development, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy offer ample opportunities for joint projects, knowledge sharing, and shared standards. Tourism and people-to-people exchanges also play an important role. As international mobility normalizes, the flow of students, researchers, and tourists contributes to better mutual understanding and generates direct economic benefits. In agriculture, cooperation in technology, food safety and sustainability can improve productivity and product quality.

A key element for sustaining this cooperation is the improvement of investment and financing systems. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China will continue to move toward high-quality development with more diversified, sustainable and risk-resilient actions. This includes developing deeper capital markets, green financial instruments and more efficient frameworks for international financial cooperation.

For European partners, especially Spanish ones, these advances can facilitate access to financing in China and increase the predictability of long-term projects. At the same time, they contribute to a more efficient allocation of capital and more balanced economic growth.

The fact that China’s GDP exceeded 140 trillion yuan in 2025 is a clear sign of economic strength, but also of responsibility. The contribution to global economic growth is expected to be approximately 30 percent. The 2025 experience demonstrates that the combination of strategic planning, pragmatism and openness can generate solid results even in uncertain times. For Europe, particularly Spain, and for the global economy as a whole, an open and high-quality development-oriented China is an opportunity and a factor for shared stability and growth.

The author is an economist and an adviser at the Cátedra China Foundation, Spain, and the author of the book Why China Is Winning.

The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

Contact the editor at editor@chinawatch.cn.