Chinese President Xi Jinping has identified growing consumer spending and technology innovation, especially in artificial intelligence (AI), as key strategies to overcome economic challenges in 2026. Xi highlighted these priorities early in the year, with details published on Monday by the Communist Party’s official journal, Qiushi. Xi said, “We shall grow incomes for urban and rural residents, expand the supply of quality goods and services, eliminate unreasonable restrictions on consumption and tap potential in culture and tourism.” He urged improving consumer goods trade-in programs and equipment upgrades to unleash China’s vast domestic market. This focus signals Beijing’s strategy to drive economic growth by boosting domestic demand and technology breakthroughs ahead of March’s parliamentary sessions.