Opinion: China Bets Its Future on ‘High-Quality Development’
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The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was held in Beijing from Oct. 20 to Thursday. The meeting adopted the Proposals of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for the Formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development. A communique from the plenum explicitly stated that economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period must be guided by the theme of “high-quality development.” This strategic choice is both a summation of historical experience and a forward-looking strategy for breaking new ground.
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- The Fourth Plenary Session emphasized “high-quality development” as the main theme and priority for China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).
- Key objectives include scientific and technological self-reliance, deepening reforms, expanding domestic demand, and pursuing productivity-driven, sustainable growth.
- The communique stresses combining effective markets with capable government, expanding opening-up, and improving resource allocation to address challenges and foster long-term improvement.
[para. 1]
- 1996-2000：
- During the Ninth Five-Year Plan period, a policy of 'two transformations' was introduced: shifting from a planned economy to a market economy, and from extensive to intensive economic growth.
- 2017：
- The report of the 19th Party Congress stated that China’s economy has been transitioning from a phase of rapid growth to a stage of high-quality development.
- 2021-2025：
- During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China achieved significant new accomplishments in innovation-driven growth, technological strength, emerging industries, and the green and low-carbon transition.
- Oct. 20, 2025 - Oct. 24, 2025：
- The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was held in Beijing. The meeting adopted the Proposals of the Central Committee for the Formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development.
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