Setting economic growth targets is a key agenda item at local Two Sessions. To date, the Two Sessions in Shaanxi, Shandong, Tianjin, Zhejiang, Beijing, Henan, Guangdong, Hebei, and other regions have convened one after another, unveiling their 2026 economic growth projections and priority tasks for the year, with the petrochemical and chemical industries receiving particular attention in many provinces and municipalities.

On January 27, the Fourth Session of the 14th Shandong Provincial People’s Congress opened. Zhou Naixiang, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Shandong Provincial Committee, Governor, and Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the Provincial Government, delivered the government work report to the session. The report stated that the petrochemical industry is a key pillar of Shandong’s industrial economy and has been incorporated into the industrial economic framework. “ Top-priority project ” Key initiatives will be vigorously advanced. By 2025, Shandong’s petrochemical industry will see accelerated structural adjustments and upgraded standards, with major projects such as Qilu Petrochemical’s Lu Oil and Lu Refining, and Jiude Chemical’s new materials facilities being implemented in an orderly manner. Additionally, projects like the Shandong Times New Energy Battery Base will be completed and put into operation, while Yulong Petrochemical’s Phase I will achieve stable production at full capacity.

In 2026, Shandong will optimize and upgrade its petrochemical industry by advancing major projects such as Dongming Petrochemical and Dongying Fuhai, and by driving the transformation and upgrading of Hongrun Petrochemical. The province aims to raise the share of high-end chemical revenue to around 60% and achieve year-on-year growth of more than 5% in the added value of the petrochemical and chemical industries. At the same time, it will accelerate the transformation and upgrading of the petrochemical sector and promote green, low‑carbon development across the chemical and related industries. Shandong will establish itself as a leading hub for green and low‑carbon development, strengthen the integration and utilization of new energy, advance the construction of ten green‑power industrial parks—including Wanhua’s next‑generation battery materials—and expand application scenarios such as direct green‑power connections and virtual power plants, while exploring a new integrated model that links energy generation, grid, load, and storage.

On January 27, the Fourth Session of the 14th Shaanxi Provincial People’s Congress opened in Xi’an. In his government work report, Shaanxi Province Governor Zhao Gang stated that this year the province will refine policies and measures to support the development of the manufacturing sector, promote quality improvement and efficiency gains in manufacturing, strive to establish 12 industrial chains each with a scale exceeding 100 billion yuan, and ensure that strategic emerging industries account for more than 30 percent of the industrial sector. Furthermore, efforts will be deepened in the energy industry. “ Stability control switch ” , accelerate the release of high-quality coal production capacity. Focus on stabilizing oil and gas output, ensuring sustained production of 10 million tons of crude oil at Yanchang Petroleum, and achieving an oil-and-gas equivalent of 54 million tons. Vigorously develop the fine chemicals sector, advance projects such as Guoneng’s comprehensive coal utilization, Shaanxi Coal’s Yulin Chemical Phase II, and China National Coal’s deep‑coal processing, and launch Phase II of the CAS Clean Energy Research Institute and the Yulin–Hengshan pilot‑scale base. Strive to build a diversified chemical product portfolio encompassing functional materials, biodegradable materials, engineering plastics, specialty rubbers, and high‑performance fibers.

In the fields of emerging and future industries, the Government Work Report calls for implementing an industrial innovation initiative to strengthen and expand sectors such as next-generation semiconductors, liquid crystal substrates, advanced materials, additive manufacturing, civil aviation, and new‑type energy storage, thereby establishing these areas as pillar industries. It also emphasizes accelerating the development of hydrogen‑energy industry clusters, energy‑storage power stations, and zero‑carbon industrial parks in Yulin, Weinan, and other regions, while fostering a thriving low‑altitude economy. Furthermore, it outlines plans to strategically position quantum technology, biomanufacturing, and other cutting‑edge industries, aiming to forge new competitive advantages for the future.

On January 26, the Fourth Session of the 18th Tianjin Municipal People’s Congress opened. Mayor Zhang Gong delivered the government work report on behalf of the Municipal People’s Government.

The report proposes that by 2026, efforts to strengthen science and technology innovation as a driving force will be comprehensively intensified. Key industries such as next-generation information technology, biopharmaceuticals, and new energy and new materials will be cultivated, while continuing to build high‑level platforms for the integrated development of scientific and industrial innovation. In the green petrochemical sector, the Nangang Industrial Zone will serve as a major hub; the Green Petrochemical Science and Technology Innovation Center will be solidified, with priority projects including Sinopec Catalyst, CNOOC New Materials, Yanshan Petrochemical’s green new materials, and Jinke Daily Chemical’s fine chemicals, thereby accelerating the establishment of a base for green chemical and new materials.

We must further unlock the potential of effective demand. Focusing on industrial investment, we will accelerate the progress of major projects already under contract and under construction, and advance the development of projects such as Xinhecheng’s Nan’gang New Materials and Feimaotui’s Green Energy Storage. We will ensure robust support for land and energy use, safety assessments, environmental impact assessments, and other related services, while deepening the integration of “market + resources + application scenarios.” ” Investment promotion: enhancing the quality and effectiveness of new investment inflows.

(Source: China Chemical Industry News, February 3, 2026)