China has set its economic growth target for 2026 at around 4.5 to 5 percent. Premier Li Qiang announced the goal in his government work report at the opening of this year's National People's Congress. According to the report, China will continue to prioritize scientific research and high-tech innovation, while also making stronger efforts to boost domestic consumption. So, what's the thinking behind this policy choice? What challenges could China face in reaching its growth target? And how will policymakers navigate those challenges while laying the groundwork for sustainable growth in the years ahead?

Guests in this episode of Dialogue are Wang Huiyao, founder and president of the Center for China and Globalization; Professor John Gong from the University of International Business and Economics; and John Quelch, executive vice chancellor and American president at Duke Kunshan University.