China’s New Push Against ‘Rat Race’: What’s Changed Versus 2025

China’s new annual government work report offers a hint that, while the nation’s leaders may be less ambitious in their goal for growth this year, they are perhaps also more confident in meeting the new target.

The country has “favorable conditions” for achieving its 4.5% to 5% growth goal for 2026, along with other development objectives, Premier Li Qiang said in presenting the report Thursday at the opening of the National People’s Congress, China’s parliament.

That marks a contrast with last year. When the government maintained a goal of boosting gross domestic product by around 5% for 2025, it ...