In an era of increasing global uncertainties, technological transformation, and structural shifts in the global economic order, China has entered a new phase in its long-term modernization journey. In this regard China’s 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development (2026–2030) is significant. The plan was adopted at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on October 23, 2025.[1] It provides a comprehensive roadmap of China’s development trajectory over the next five years and beyond.
The 15th Five-Year plan is based on the recommendations presented by Secretary General of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The formulation process embodied the principle of “whole-process people’s democracy”.[2] This involved extensive consultations with Party members, experts, local governments, enterprises, and the general public. The plan also involved collection of over three million public opinions, distilled into approximately 1,500 concrete policy recommendations. The drafting process was overseen by a high-level group led by President Xi, alongside senior leaders Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng.[3] This process ensured continuity with the achievements of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025) while laying a solid foundation for achieving the long-term objective of building a modern socialist country by 2035.[4] This highlights the inclusive and consultative nature of China’s governance model under President Xi Jinping.
