The National People’s Congress, China’s annual legislative gathering, concluded in Beijing recently, and this year’s event stood in stark contrast to previous years. In the past, the meetings have been characterized by a sense of caution around domestic economic issues. However, this meeting, which ran for seven days, exuded a palpable sense of optimism, driven by significant advancements in artificial intelligence.

Furthermore, a recent breakthrough in AI by DeepSeek, a Chinese startup, has galvanized investors, politicians, and regulators alike. This positive sentiment was further reinforced by President Xi Jinping’s high-profile meeting with prominent business leaders, including Jack Ma. These developments suggest a shift towards embracing technological innovation as a key driver for future growth.