China’s 15th Five-Year Plan: The Blueprint for the Next Five Years

The Fourth Plenary Session sets the direction for China’s next development phase, focusing on technological independence and industrial upgrading

Oct 25, 2025

1. Overview of the Meeting

The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was held in Beijing from October 20 to 23, 2025.

The meeting was presided over by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important address.

Attendees included 168 full members and 147 alternate members of the Central Committee, as well as members of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and several grassroots delegates and experts.

The core agenda of the meeting was to review and approve the “Recommendations of the CPC Central Committee on Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development.”

This 15th Five-Year Plan will guide China’s economic and social development from 2026 to 2030 and will be formally adopted at the National People’s Congress in 2026.

The session also heard a report from the Political Bureau and reviewed several disciplinary and personnel matters within the Party.

2. Main Themes of the Meeting

Guiding Principles

Fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
Promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-style modernization.
Uphold the Party’s overall leadership.
Advance high-quality development and technological self-reliance.

Seven Key Goals

Achieve notable progress in high-quality development.
Significantly enhance technological self-reliance and innovation capacity.
Make new breakthroughs in deepening reform.
Raise the level of social civilization.
Improve the quality of life for the people.
Make major progress in building a “Beautiful China.”
Strengthen national security capabilities.

By 2035, China aims to reach per capita GDP levels of a moderately developed country and achieve basic modernization.

3. Key Focus Areas of the 15th Five-Year Plan

1. Economy and Industry

Build a modern industrial system and consolidate the real economy.
Promote intelligent, green, and integrated manufacturing.
Develop strategic industries: new energy, new materials, aerospace, low-altitude economy, biomanufacturing, hydrogen energy, brain–computer interfaces, and 6G communication.
Strengthen infrastructure and energy networks.

2. Science and Technology

Seize opportunities from the new technological and industrial revolution.
Advance original innovation and breakthroughs in key technologies.
Integrate education, science, and talent development.
Build a unified national data market and implement the “AI+ Action Plan.”

3. Domestic Demand and Consumption

Expand domestic demand and upgrade consumption.
“Invest in people” by improving income distribution and social welfare systems.
Build a unified national market to remove circulation barriers.

4. Agriculture and Rural Development

Keep the “three rural issues” (agriculture, rural areas, and farmers) as a top priority.
Promote urban–rural integration and build an agricultural powerhouse.

5. Regional Coordination

Optimize industrial and population layout.
Advance regional coordination and new urbanization.
Strengthen the marine economy and ecological protection.

6. Society and Livelihoods

Improve livelihoods and employment stability.
Reform education, healthcare, and pension systems.
Gradually delay retirement and develop the silver economy.

7. Green Development

Advance carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals.
Build a clean energy system.
Strengthen pollution control and ecological restoration.

8. Openness and Cooperation

Expand high-level opening-up.
Uphold multilateral trade systems.
Promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

9. National Security and Defense

Modernize national security and defense systems.
“Fight, prepare, and build simultaneously.”
Achieve the military’s centennial goal and improve smart warfare capability.

10. Party Building and Governance

Strengthen centralized and unified Party leadership.
Deepen anti-corruption work and improve cadre evaluation.
Advance strict Party governance in all aspects.

4. Implementation and Follow-Up

After the Fourth Plenary Session, China entered the implementation phase of the new five-year plan.
As is customary, after the central government issues the national framework, each province and region will hold study sessions to understand and implement the plan’s “spirit.”

Local governments will then draft their own provincial-level 15th Five-Year Implementation Plans, aligning local strategies with national priorities. Coastal provinces are expected to focus on high-end manufacturing and trade innovation, while inland and western provinces will emphasize industrial relocation, renewable energy, and infrastructure expansion.

This “central planning, provincial execution” model is how China translates national policy into action. Every sector, industry, finance, social programs, and environment will align with this new five-year blueprint. In essence, the next five years of China’s development will unfold according to this central roadmap.

5. Global and Media Reactions

Associated Press:
No surprises; continues the “strong nation, strong military” policy line.

Reuters:
Focus remains on supply-side investment and manufacturing-led growth.

Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU):
Expect further concentration of state resources into “hard technology” sectors.

Agence France-Presse & NUS Expert Bert Hofman:
Continuity dominates, but with a new emphasis on “demand-driven supply.”

Natixis:
Compared with the 14th Five-Year Plan, the new plan stresses technological self-sufficiency, income redistribution, and green transition.

Deutsche Welle / Zhigu Trend:
Technology takes center stage, while finance and capital markets take a back seat, showing a national shift toward advanced manufacturing.

Wall Street Journal:
Over the next five years, China will expand investment in technology and advanced manufacturing to boost national strength amid complex global challenges. The 15th Five-Year Plan suggests that U.S.–China competition will intensify, not ease. China is reducing dependence on the U.S. while pursuing ambitious technological goals. The two nations are vying for dominance in future industries, particularly in artificial intelligence. Even if President Trump and President Xi meet at the APEC Summit in South Korea, the report notes that Beijing expects little long-term easing in tensions. The message from Beijing is clear: strategic competition with the U.S. is here to stay.