Xi Jinping calls for China’s provincial powerhouses to lead on tech at ‘two sessions’

President Xi Jinping urged China’s major provincial economies to take the lead in technological innovation and strengthen their resilience to external shocks over the next five years, part of the annual meeting of the National People’s Congress (NPC) – the country’s top legislature – which began in Beijing on Thursday. Addressing deputies from the eastern province of Jiangsu, Xi said the region should be at the forefront of developing “new quality productive forces” – the emerging industries... AdvertisementTwo Sessions 2026EconomyChina EconomyXi Jinping calls for China’s provincial powerhouses to lead on tech at ‘two sessions’The president said China’s strongest regions should be proactive in tech transformation, hold a ‘bottom line mindset’ to resist external shocks2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenXiaofei Xuin ParisPublished: 9:22pm, 5 Mar 2026President Xi Jinping urged China’s major provincial economies to take the lead in technological innovation and strengthen their resilience to external shocks over the next five years, part of the annual meeting of the National People’s Congress (NPC) – the country’s top legislature – which began in Beijing on Thursday.Addressing deputies from the eastern province of Jiangsu, Xi said the region should be at the forefront of developing “new quality productive forces” – the emerging industries Beijing views as potential drivers of long-term growth – which he deemed crucial to China’s economic sustainability and competitiveness, according to a report from state broadcaster CCTV.Xi called on the coastal province, a manufacturing hub that hosts thousands of small, specialised producers known as “little giant” firms, to achieve breakthroughs in tackling core technologies and to search for new paths to “facilitate the efficient transformation and application of scientific and technological achievements”.AdvertisementThe province should also work to upgrade traditional industries, expand emerging sectors and make “forward-looking arrangements” for those yet to be discovered, Xi said.The president also urged Jiangsu’s NPC deputies to adopt a “bottom line mindset” – preparing for worst-case scenarios – when guarding against potential risks.AdvertisementLeading provincial economies like Jiangsu must strengthen their resilience to external shocks to help stabilise China’s overall economy, Xi said, calling on the province to boost its domestic economic strength, integrate more fully into the national market and expand global trade ties.Xi also asked the deputies to focus on boosting employment and incomes while strengthening Communist Party discipline and anti-corruption efforts.AdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x