China Launches 2026 'Two Sessions' with Focus on 15th Five-Year Plan and National Security Amid Iran Crisis

China begins its 2026 political meetings with a focus on national security and the 15th Five-Year Plan. Read how the Iran-Israel war is impacting Beijing's strategy.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 4, 2026, 5:11 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from France 24

The 15th Five-Year Plan: A Blueprint for Resilience

China officially opened its annual "Two Sessions" political conclave on Wednesday, a week-long series of meetings that will define the nation's strategic direction through 2030. The centerpiece of this year's gathering is the formal unveiling of the 15th Five-Year Plan. Analysts expect the roadmap to prioritize high-tech manufacturing, green energy transitions, and "supply chain resilience" over the breakneck GDP growth of previous decades. This shift reflects a fundamental change in Beijing’s economic logic, moving away from export-led expansion toward a model that balances growth with national security. The goal is to ensure that critical industries remain insulated from potential disruptions by foreign powers.

Economic Targets and the Challenge of Deflation

Premier Li Qiang is scheduled to announce an annual growth target between 4.5% and 5% during Thursday’s National People's Congress (NPC) session. This conservative estimate follows a 5% expansion in 2025 and acknowledges the significant headwinds facing the world's second-largest economy. Sluggish domestic consumption, a persistent property market slump, and youth unemployment have led to deflationary pressures. To combat this, the leadership has vowed to stimulate "new demand through new supply," focusing heavily on the robotics sector and the rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence companies, many of which have been catalyzed by the success of the local startup DeepSeek.

Geopolitical Shadow: The Iran-Israel Conflict

The 2026 meetings are taking place under the shadow of a major regional war in the Middle East. Following US and Israeli strikes against Iran over the weekend, observers are closely watching for changes in China’s military planning and energy procurement strategies. The Iran crisis is expected to be a central theme during the foreign minister’s press conference, as Beijing seeks to safeguard its energy security and navigate its complex relationships with both Washington and Tehran. Marina Zhang of the University of Technology Sydney notes that the "growth logic" has shifted to ensure that China’s supply chains cannot be easily disrupted by the escalating global instability.