A commentary published in Qiushi, the official theoretical journal of the Chinese Communist Party, has urged authorities to actively counter what it describes as false narratives about the Chinese economy spread by “anti-China forces,” while shaping what it calls the international community’s “correct understanding” of China’s economic prospects.

The article, titled “Continuously Doing Good Work on Stabilizing Expectations,” argues that expectation management is a critical component of macroeconomic governance, and that the Party leadership places great importance on strengthening related mechanisms. It warns that both domestic and foreign narratives that “talk down” the Chinese economy have misled producers and consumers, undermining the effectiveness of macroeconomic policy. “Confidence is more important than gold,” the piece states, calling for a positive cycle linking stable expectations, stronger confidence, and economic stability.

The commentary calls on government departments across China to respond promptly to public concerns, improve communication with businesses, and ensure policy information reaches the market clearly and proactively. It also urges adherence to “correct public opinion guidance” and innovation in economic messaging to “sing the bright future of the Chinese economy.”

The article warns that as China’s economy becomes more deeply integrated with the world, international opinion increasingly shapes domestic sentiment. It claims that anti-China forces are deliberately spreading variations of “China collapse” and “China threat” theories, and that failing to counter these narratives could dampen expectations among global markets, foreign companies, and foreign investors — and eventually filter back into domestic confidence.

The piece concludes by calling for stronger external propaganda efforts to proactively set agendas and rebut claims such as “China’s economy has peaked,” “China’s overcapacity,” and “foreign capital is leaving China.”

Notably, China’s annual parliamentary sessions this year set the economic growth target at 4.5 to 5 percent, a slight reduction from the approximately 5 percent targets of recent years.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), March 17, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202603170100.aspx

Shanxi Province recently announced the installation of three new toll stations along a 120-kilometer stretch of National Highway 108, with a collection period of nearly 30 years, reigniting widespread public frustration across China over the return of national highway tolls.

Under the plan, passenger vehicles under 2.5 tons will be charged 10 yuan ($1.38 USD) per trip, while trucks over 30 tons will pay 70 yuan ($9.65 USD). Locals have blasted the three stations as excessively dense for such a short corridor, with some calling the Shanxi government “legitimate road bullies.”

China abolished highway maintenance fees in 2009, replacing them with a fuel consumption tax built into gasoline prices, effectively making most national roads toll-free. However, since 2024, mounting fiscal pressures have driven local governments to reverse course. Starting in the second quarter of 2025, seven provinces — including Anhui, Gansu, Hubei, Jilin, Shanxi, Jiangsu, and Shandong — launched toll pilot programs on national highways, adding as many as 137 new toll stations nationwide.

Analysts point to two converging crises behind the trend. First, the collapse of China’s real estate market has gutted land sale revenues, a traditional pillar of local government income. Second, the rapid rise of electric vehicles, which now account for over 50 percent of new car sales, has eroded fuel tax revenues — which fell 18% in the first half of 2025 — since EVs are exempt from fuel taxes.

This has left gasoline car owners feeling they are paying twice. One estimate calculated that a fuel vehicle driver covering 15,000 kilometers annually already pays roughly 1,600 yuan ($220 USD) in fuel taxes, and would owe an additional 2,000 yuan ($276 USD) in tolls if 5,000 of those kilometers are on toll roads — the same amount an EV driver pays without any fuel tax obligation.

China’s National Development and Reform Commission has indicated it is studying a road-use fee mechanism for new energy vehicles, though no policy has yet been finalized.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), March 14, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202603140189.aspx