This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact The Epoch Times Reprints.

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Times
AD
The Epoch Times
Social Control

China Puts Security Ahead of Growth as Economic Pressures Mount

New restrictions on investment, data, and information signal Beijing’s growing focus on security over economic development.
Google LogoMark Us Preferred on Google
China Puts Security Ahead of Growth as Economic Pressures Mount
A security guard stands at his post during the opening session of the National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 5, 2024. Wang Zhao/AFP via Getty Images
Michael Zhuang
Michael Zhuang
6/2/2026|Updated: 6/3/2026
0:00

As China grapples with a prolonged economic slowdown, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is increasingly prioritizing political security and social control over economic growth, marking a significant shift from the development-focused model that defined much of the country’s rise over the past two decades.

While Beijing continues to publicly emphasize economic growth targets, recent policy measures, regulatory changes, and regime priorities suggest that national security considerations are taking precedence over market expansion, private-sector development, and international engagement, according to analysts who spoke to The Epoch Times.

Google LogoMark Us Preferred on Google
Michael Zhuang
Michael Zhuang
Author
Michael Zhuang is a contributor to The Epoch Times with a focus on China-related topics.
Author’s Selected Articles
Chinese Province Shuts Down TV and Radio Channels as State Media Struggles for Audiences
Jun 12, 2026
Chinese Province Shuts Down TV and Radio Channels as State Media Struggles for Audiences
Hong Kong SIM Card Rule Tightened as China Expands Control Over Cross-Border Internet Access
Jun 12, 2026
Hong Kong SIM Card Rule Tightened as China Expands Control Over Cross-Border Internet Access
Chinese Investors Demand Answers 6 Months After Zhejiang Financial Platform Collapse
Jun 11, 2026
Chinese Investors Demand Answers 6 Months After Zhejiang Financial Platform Collapse
Pentagon’s Latest China Blacklist Reflects Growing Doubts About Private Firms’ Independence
Jun 11, 2026
Pentagon’s Latest China Blacklist Reflects Growing Doubts About Private Firms’ Independence
AD
Add to My List
Save
The Epoch Times
Copyright © 2000 - 2026 The Epoch Times Association Inc. All Rights Reserved.