Why security, not growth, is likely to command China’s attention in 2026

South China Morning PostEN 2 min read 100% complete by Andy XieJanuary 20, 2026 at 02:30 AM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

In 2026, China is expected to prioritize national security over economic growth due to a worsening global security landscape. While China met its 2025 economic goals, including a GDP growth of around 5%, concerns about insecure oil supplies, sea lanes, and potential trade war escalation with the US are driving this shift. China aims to accelerate energy and technology self-sufficiency to bolster national resilience. Increased electricity consumption and cargo turnover in 2025 support the reported GDP growth, despite a slight GDP deflator fluctuation. The focus on security suggests potential risks related to protecting sea lanes in the coming year.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

United States 60% US-China trade war 70% China ×590%

Keywords

china 100% national security 90% gdp growth 70% economic growth 70% sea lane security 60% self-sufficiency 60% energy security 60% macro stability 50% trade war 50%