Using Medium- and Long-Term Plans to Guide China’s Economic and Social Development Is a Key Governance Approach of Our Party

Using Medium- and Long-Term Plans to Guide China’s Economic and Social Development Is a Key Governance Approach of Our Party

XI JINPING

I

The development philosophy is the precursor of development action. It shapes the overarching framework, defines the fundamentals, sets the direction, and steers long-term progress, reflecting our approach, direction, and priorities in development. With the right development philosophy in place, objectives and tasks can be clearly defined and appropriate policies and measures can be accordingly formulated. 

With this in mind, we introduced the philosophy of innovative, coordinated, green, open, and shared development in the Recommendations for the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016–2020), the layout of which was guided by this same philosophy. This five-point philosophy encapsulates our development approach, direction, and priorities for that period and beyond. It also embodies the lessons from China’s more than 30 years of reform and opening up, reflecting our Party’s new understanding of the objective laws governing development.

—Explanation of the Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Formulating the 13th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development, October 26, 2015

II

We must strengthen leadership over the drafting of the 13th Five-Year Plan outline and its subject-specific plans to ensure the implementation of the development philosophy, main objectives, key tasks, and major measures set out in the Recommendations for the 13th Five-Year Plan. It is particularly important to introduce concrete measures and targets for applying the philosophy of innovative, coordinated, green, open, and shared development. 

Local governments should formulate their development plans based on local realities, adopting pragmatic approaches with sufficient flexibility while avoiding unrealistic target escalation across administrative levels. Implementation must be prioritized—through detailed plans and clearly assigned responsibilities to ensure no task is left undone. We must prevent scenarios where plans remain mere documents on paper or where implementation deviates substantially from the plans made.

—Speech at the second general meeting of the fifth plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, October 29, 2015

President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech while presiding over a meeting on social and economic development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period for certain provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, Shanghai, April 30, 2025. PHOTO BY XINHUA REPORTER WANG YE

III

Formulating medium- and long-term plans to guide economic and social development is a key governance approach of our Party. Since 1953, China has formulated and implemented 13 five-year plans, 8 of which were introduced after the launch of reform and opening up. These plans have effectively helped drive economic and social development, bolster composite national strength, and improve living standards, contributing to China’s unprecedented miracles of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability. It has been proven that medium- and long-term development planning is crucial for fully leveraging the market’s decisive role in resource allocation while allowing the government to fulfill its functions more effectively.

—Speech at a symposium for experts in economic and social fields, August 24, 2020

President Xi Jinping talks with employees while visiting an intelligent manufacturing plant operated by the Luoyang Bearing Group Co., Ltd., Luoyang, Henan Province, May 19, 2025. He toured Henan on May 19 and 20. PHOTO BY XINHUA REPORTER YAN YAN

IV

The people’s aspirations for a better life are what we strive for. Sound principles, policies, and development plans must embody the people’s will and reflect their hopes, originating from the people and dedicated to serving their interests. 

For decades, before introducing major principles and policies or making key decisions and plans, our Party has consistently required relevant departments to conduct on-the-ground research in local communities to gather firsthand information. Seeking truth from facts is an important element of the Party’s ideological line. As early as the Yan’an period, Mao Zedong emphasized, “Communists should set an example in being practical… For only by being practical can they fulfill their tasks.” He further stressed that in conducting research, “First, direct your eyes downward, do not hold your head high and gaze at the sky… Second, hold fact-finding meetings.” 

The formulation of five-year plans, which involves all aspects of economic and social development and concerns people’s work and lives, requires integrating top-level design with extensive public consultation. We should encourage both the public and all sectors of society to share their insights and suggestions through diverse channels.

—Speech at a symposium for representatives from the primary level, September 17, 2020

V

The 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025) marks the first five years after China accomplished its First Centenary Goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. Building on the momentum of this achievement, we now embark on a new journey to build China into a modern socialist country and advance toward the Second Centenary Goal, taking our nation into a new stage of development. 

Formulating medium- and long-term plans to guide economic and social development is a key governance approach of our Party. In developing these plans, we must adopt a long-term perspective that grasps overarching trends while actively soliciting public opinions and drawing on collective wisdom. This requires integrating enhanced top-level design with broad public consultation to fully incorporate social expectations, public wisdom, expert insights, and community level experience. 

—Speech at a symposium for experts in the fields of education, culture, health, and sports, September 22, 2020

VI

The 14th Five-Year Plan is the first in China’s history to solicit public input online during the formulation of a five-year plan. This initiative has been highly successful, attracting broad participation and generating many constructive opinions and suggestions. Relevant departments must promptly analyze and carefully incorporate these extensive and concrete proposals, which reflect the people’s evolving expectations for a better life. Fulfilling people’s aspirations remains our ultimate goal, and their confidence and support are the driving force behind the nation’s progress. We should summarize the lessons and best practices from this initiative to better harness the internet in listening to public voice and pooling their wisdom and strength for future endeavors.

—Instructions on collecting public input for the development of the 14th Five-Year Plan through online platforms, September 25, 2020

VII

Our recommendations for the 14th Five-Year Plan emphasize that economic and social progress during this period must focus on high-quality development. This is a well-grounded judgment based on China’s current development stage, environment, and changing conditions. China is still and will long remain in the primary stage of socialism, and it still is the largest developing country in the world. As such, development will continue to be our Party’s top priority in governing and rejuvenating the nation. 

However, it is crucial to underscore that in this new era and stage, our growth must be guided by the new development philosophy and characterized by high quality. With our society now facing the evolving principal challenge between unbalanced and inadequate development and the people’s growing needs for a better life, the problems we face in development are primarily related to quality. Therefore, we must place even greater emphasis on the issue of development quality, directing more efforts toward raising the quality and efficiency of our development.

—Explanation of the Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Formulating the 14th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development and Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035, October 26, 2020

VIII

From the First Five-Year Plan (1953–1957) to the current 14th Five-Year Plan, each has centered on the goal of building China into a modern socialist country. Despite occasional missteps and unexpected difficulties and setbacks, our determination and resolve to achieve this goal have never wavered. Throughout this journey, our Party has deepened its understanding of this grand endeavor, honed its strategies, and expanded its practical experience. These efforts have accelerated China’s modernization drive, while also establishing the practical, theoretical, and institutional foundations for building a modern socialist country in this new stage of development.

—Speech at the second general meeting of the fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, October 29, 2020

IX

In its recommendations for the 14th Five-Year Plan, the CPC Central Committee has both strengthened top-level design and given greater emphasis on having extensive public input at the same time, following democratic approaches, opening policy solicitation, and collecting public opinions. This has resulted in a consultation process unprecedented in scope, participation, and diversity of methods. The outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan, subject-specific plans, and local plans should all be formulated in accordance with the Recommendations, while heeding the people’s concerns and incorporating their wisdom. 

When formulating their plans, all localities should consider their specific conditions, adopt pragmatic approaches with sufficient flexibility, and avoid arbitrarily raising targets across administrative levels. We should maintain and improve mechanisms for effective plan implementation, enhancing those for dynamic monitoring, midterm assessment, and final evaluation, so as to boost our ability to execute and deliver on the plans. 

—Speech at the second general meeting of the fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, October 29, 2020

President Xi Jinping is briefed on research and development and corporate operations at the Shanghai Foundation Model Innovation Center, a large model incubator community, Xuhui District, Shanghai. He toured Shanghai on April 29, 2025. PHOTO BY XINHUA REPORTER WANG YE

X

A few years after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, our Party set the goal of building a modern socialist country. Through 13 five-year plans, we have established a solid foundation for achieving this goal. The coming three decades will usher in a new phase of development in which we will finally fulfill this historic mission. We have outlined a clear roadmap and timeline for our future development: By 2035, or within the next three five-year plan periods, we will essentially achieve socialist modernization. Then, by the middle of this century, after completing another three five-year plans, China will emerge as a great modern socialist nation that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful.

—Speech at a seminar on studying and implementing the guiding principles from the fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, attended by principal officials at the provincial and ministerial level, January 11, 2021

XI

The effective implementation of the guiding principles from the fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee will significantly influence the overall development of the Party and the country over the next five years, fifteen years, and beyond. The Recommendations for Formulating the 14th Five-Year Plan, adopted at the session, are rich in content. They outline overarching approaches, guiding principles, and strategic thinking, along with specific requirements. The document builds upon the strategic plans we have pursued since the 18th CPC National Congress while introducing new major judgments and strategic initiatives, all of which demand careful study. Without a thorough understanding, we risk missing the core principles and failing to achieve meaningful results in practice. 

Leading officials at all levels, especially those in senior positions, must study the Recommendations meticulously, line by line and paragraph by paragraph. After gaining a general comprehension of the document, they should focus on grasping its key points and innovative concepts. Upholding the fine tradition of integrating theory with practice, they must apply these principles to both immediate realities and long-term goals, thereby injecting greater dynamism, initiative, and creativity into their work.

—Speech at a seminar on studying and implementing the guiding principles from the fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, attended by principal officials at the provincial and ministerial level, January 11, 2021

XII

To build China into a great modern socialist country, we have adopted a two-step strategic plan: 

• Basically realize socialist modernization from 2020 through 2035
• Build China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful from 2035 through the middle of this century

China’s overall development objectives through the year 2035 are as follows:

• Significantly increase economic strength, scientific and technological capabilities, and composite national strength; substantially grow per capita GDP to be on par with that of a mid-level developed country
• Join the ranks of the world’s most innovative countries, with great self-reliance and strength in science and technology
• Build a modernized economy; form a new development dynamic; basically achieve new industrialization, informatization, urbanization, and agricultural modernization
• Basically modernize the system and capacity for governance; improve the system for whole-process people’s democracy; basically build a law-based country, government, and society
• Become a leading country in education, science and technology, talent, culture, sports, and health; significantly enhance national cultural soft power
• Ensure that the people are leading better and happier lives; bring per capita disposable income to new heights; substantially grow the middle-income group as a share of the total population; guarantee equitable access to basic public services; ensure modern standards of living in rural areas; achieve long-term social stability; make more notable and substantive progress in promoting the people’s well-rounded development and prosperity for all
• Broadly establish eco-friendly ways of work and life; steadily lower carbon emissions after reaching a peak; fundamentally improve the environment; largely accomplish the goal of building a Beautiful China
• Comprehensively strengthen the system and capabilities for national security; achieve basic modernization of national defense and the armed forces

After basically realizing modernization, we will continue to work hard and build China into a great modern socialist country among the world’s leading nations in terms of composite national strength and international influence by the middle of the century.

The next five years will be crucial for getting our efforts to build a modern socialist country off to a good start. Our main objectives and tasks for this period are as follows:

• Make breakthroughs in promoting high-quality economic development; achieve greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology; make major progress in creating a new development dynamic and building a modernized economy
• Make new strides in reform and opening up; make further progress in modernizing China’s system and capacity for governance; further improve the socialist market economy; put in place new systems for a higher-standard open economy
• Further enhance the institutions, standards, and procedures of whole-process people’s democracy; improve the system of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics
• Enrich the intellectual and cultural lives of our people; reinforce the cohesion of the Chinese nation and the appeal of Chinese culture
• Ensure personal income grows basically in step with economic growth and pay rises in tandem with increases in productivity; ensure much more equitable access to basic public services; develop a better multi-tiered social security system
• Substantially improve urban and rural living environments; make notable progress in building a Beautiful China
• Further consolidate national security; fulfill the goals that have been set for the centenary of the People’s Liberation Army in 2027; make solid progress in building a Peaceful China
• Further increase China’s international standing and influence; enable China to play a greater role in global governance

—Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, October 16, 2022

XIII

The Report to the 20th CPC National Congress elaborates upon the defining features, essential requirements, and major principles of Chinese modernization, forming the definitive top-level design to advance this endeavor. At the same time, as Chinese modernization progresses in stages across multiple sectors, top-level design remains indispensable to achieve development goals at each stage and implement strategies in each sector. To craft a top-level design, we need to gain a profound understanding of global development trends, accurately grasp the common aspirations of the public, and thoroughly study the laws governing economic and social development. This will ensure that the resulting plans and policy frameworks keep pace with the times, align with development laws, and embody innovative thinking and that they balance short- and long-term priorities, foster cross-level coordination, and maintain internal coherence. 

At the same time, Chinese modernization is an exploratory pursuit, requiring us to boldly venture into uncharted territory in practice and advance our cause through reform and innovation. Sticking to the same old playbook and waiting for things to happen will lead us nowhere. All local governments and government departments must explore fresh ground based on their unique conditions, especially in frontier and unexplored areas. They should encourage daring experimentation to explore effective ways of tackling new issues and problems, fostering fresh experiences that are replicable and scalable. 

—Speech at the seminar on studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the guiding principles from the 20th CPC National Congress, attended by newly-elected members and alternate members of the CPC Central Committee and principal officials at the provincial and ministerial level, February 7, 2023

XIV

This year is pivotal for accomplishing the objectives and tasks outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan. Next year will mark both the final year of this plan and a year of preparation for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030). We should proactively evaluate our progress in meeting the 14th Five-Year Plan’s goals and define the targets for the 15th Five-Year Plan. This entails reviewing and assessing the implementation of the current plan and making sound preparations for the next one.

—Speech at the second general meeting of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, July 18, 2024

XV

The year 2025 is the final year of the 14th Five-Year Plan. We will follow the guidance of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implement the guiding principles from the 20th CPC National Congress and the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and adhere to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability. We will uphold high quality as the foundation of our development, fully and faithfully implement the new development philosophy in all sectors, and accelerate efforts to create a new development dynamic. We will further advance comprehensive reform, expand high-standard opening up, prevent and mitigate risks in key areas and external shocks, promote sustained economic recovery and growth, ensure social harmony and stability, and strengthen full and rigorous Party self-governance. We will also formulate recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan and continue striving toward our grand goals.

—Remarks at a gathering to celebrate the 2025 Spring Festival, January 27, 2025

XVI

The formulation and implementation of well-crafted five-year plans represents a crucial governance lesson of our Party and an important political strength of Chinese socialism. In planning economic and social development for the 15th Five-Year Plan period, we must accurately grasp the development requirements for that period, aligning them with the overarching goals of building a great country and advancing national rejuvenation. Focusing on the objectives of basically realizing socialist modernization, we must define our objectives and tasks and introduce approaches and measures sector by sector. A thorough analysis and deliberation of these objectives and tasks are essential to ensure that they are well-grounded, precisely targeted, and achievable within the stipulated timeframe. We should adopt a coordinated approach, pinpointing key and decisive factors while carefully managing the pace of our progress. Efforts must concentrate on consolidating and expanding strengths, breaking through bottlenecks, addressing weaknesses, and improving development quality and efficiency, while maintaining consistency between sectoral targets and overall national objectives.

—Speech at the meeting on economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period for certain provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, April 30, 2025.

This is a selection of excerpts from General Secretary Xi Jinping’s statements between October 2015 and April 2025 regarding the formulation of medium- and long-term plans to guide China’s economic and social development as a key governance approach of the CPC. 

(Originally appeared in Qiushi Journal, Chinese edition, No. 12, 2025)