"AI to Drive China's Quality Economic Growth Over the Next 5 Years"... Korea-China Industrial Cooperation Seminar

Seongon Oh, Counselor at KOTRA Shanghai Trade Center, is speaking about China's transition to technology-centered growth and the potential for Korea-China industrial cooperation at the "2026 Two Sessions Analysis" seminar held in Seoul on the 18th. Photo by CMG

China's "Two Sessions" (National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference) have concluded. On the 5th, Premier Li Qiang presented the "2026 Government Work Report," outlining the direction for this year's economic management. So, how is the Chinese economy expected to develop?

On March 18, a seminar was held in Seoul to examine the economic and industrial policy directions of China after the Two Sessions, as well as response strategies for Korean companies. At the "2026 Two Sessions Analysis" seminar, co-hosted by China Media Group (CMG) and the Korea-China Association, it was highlighted that China intends to simultaneously pursue stable growth (4.5–5%) and the advancement of its industrial structure.

The speakers noted that China has set its growth target at 4.5–5% to reduce volatility, while emphasizing a strategy to transform its economic structure through a focus on technology. Rather than maintaining the phase of high-speed growth, China is prioritizing strengthening its fundamentals. The "AI+" strategy was mentioned as a central axis for industrial transformation, with prospects raised that the integration of AI into manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and finance could change production methods and service structures.

Sun Haixiong, Director-General of CMG, stated in a video address that the Two Sessions provided a vision for national development over the next five years and introduced discussions on core indicators and projects linked to the 15th Five-Year Plan. Kwanghae Park, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, also cited in a video presentation that China's economy grew by approximately 5% in 2025 and its GDP surpassed 140 trillion yuan. He explained that the 2026 target (4.5–5%) signals a combination of stable growth, structural optimization, and high-quality development.

During the seminar, the concept of "new-quality productive forces" repeatedly emerged as a key theme. Researcher Park suggested that the Chinese economy is shifting from traditional manufacturing to a model led by technological innovation, referencing the launch of major projects centered on advanced fields such as semiconductors, AI, robotics, and quantum technology.

It was also emphasized that 2026 marks the starting point of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030). With priorities such as scientific and technological innovation, a modernized industrial system, the digital economy, green and low-carbon initiatives, and expanded openness highlighted, Liz, a researcher at the China Institute for Development Planning at Tsinghua University, introduced a medium- to long-term strategy focusing on technology, green, and market-driven axes in a video message. She also explained that areas such as AI, autonomous driving, and the low-altitude economy are gaining importance in policy discussions, and projected that the scale of the AI industry could expand by 2030.

Seungchan Park, Chairman of the Korea-China Association, is explaining the policy directions after the Chinese Two Sessions, market opportunities, and the structural transformation trends of the Chinese economy at the "2026 Two Sessions Debrief" seminar held in Seoul on the 18th. CMG

The discussion continued with response strategies for Korean companies. Rather than viewing China solely as an export market, there was a call to redefine business roles in line with local demand, policy, and the industrial ecosystem. Seungchan Park, Chairman of the Korea-China Association, noted that the Chinese economy is shifting from high-speed growth to high-quality development, and that Korean companies should also pursue localization, technology cooperation, and participation in the industrial ecosystem, in line with trends combining domestic demand expansion, technological self-reliance, and increased openness.

Seonggon Oh, Advisor at KOTRA Shanghai Trade Center, also described the Chinese market as undergoing "structural changes where threats and opportunities coexist," highlighting the need for strategic repositioning, such as diversifying production bases and dispersing supply chains. He also pointed out that market expansion is underway in areas such as payments, mobility, drones, and robotics.

The speakers viewed the advancement of China's industrial structure as an opportunity for Korea-China cooperation to expand beyond simple trade into technology collaboration and participation at the industrial ecosystem level. At the same time, they emphasized the need for sector-specific risk assessment and focused selection, given the rapid pace of change.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.