Wang Changlin, deputy head of the NDRC, speaks at a State Council Information Office press conference on January 20, 2026. Photo: Chu Daye/GT

In light of the needs arising from a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) will this year start to study and formulate an action plan to expand domestic demand during the period of 2026-2030, to create "new demand through new supply by providing strong innovative measures and other supports", Wang Changlin, deputy head of NDRC, said on Tuesday.

Wang made the remarks at a State Council Information Office press conference to brief on the efforts to implement the guidelines of the Central Economic Work Conference held in December, in order to achieve a good start for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30).

Wang noted that the current operation of Chinese economy faces issues of "strong supply but weak demand."

Moving forward, efforts will go to strengthening the domestic market circulation as the focal point of macro-management, and domestic demand will be expanded in all aspects, with a focus on adapting to the trend of "demand structure upgrading" in China.

The Central Economic Work Conference, held in December, stipulated that expanding domestic demand would be the top priority of the economic policy in 2026.

In 2026, China's economic structure will continue to improve, its growth drivers will continue to renew, and the overall development momentum will continue to strengthen, with new quality productive forces advancing steadily. In 2026, both consumption and investment, as well as technology and industry, will unleash immense development potential, said Zhou Chen, a NDRC official.