By: Chinese Ambassador to Afghan, Zhao Xing
From October 20 to 23, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was held in Beijing. The meeting deliberated over and adopted the Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development (hereinafter referred to as the “15th Five-Year Plan Recommendations”). This is the third five-year plan formulated by the CPC Central Committee in the new era, and the first five-year plan in the new journey toward building a modern socialist country in all respects. Scientifically and continuously formulating Five-Year Plans is a key approach of the CPC in governing the country, and it serves as an important “code” for understanding the “Governance of China” . The Five-Year Plan deeply analyzes the complex and profound changes in China’s development environment, providing top-level design and strategic planning for the nation’s future development.
The Five-Year Plan Embodies a People-Centered Development Philosophy
When formulating the 14th Five-Year Plan, the CPC Central Committee for the first time included achieving more substantial progress in common prosperity for all people as a long-term goal. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China has consolidated its achievements in poverty alleviation, with the per capita disposable income of rural residents in formerly impoverished counties growing by an average of 7.8% in real terms annually. Nearly 100 trillion RMB has been invested in areas concerning people’s livelihoods, while the public service systems for healthcare and education have been further improved. The average life expectancy has reached 79 years, and the gross enrollment rate in higher education has risen to 60.8%.
The “15th Five-Year Plan Recommendations” emphasize making solid progress toward common prosperity for all, a core requirement guiding the economic and social development of the period. Through one five-year plan after another, the CPC has provided a solid answer to the fundamental question “For whom is development intended?”, demonstrating the Party’s commitment to a people-centered approach and consolidating the foundation of popular support for long-term national stability.
The Five-Year Plan Reflects the Institutional Strength of Long-Term Planning and Mobilizing Resources for Major Initiatives
During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China’s GDP successively surpassed 110 trillion, 120 trillion, and 130 trillion RMB, and is expected to reach about 140 trillion by the end of 2025, with an average annual growth rate of 5.5%. China’s contribution to global economic growth has remained around 30% per year. Among the 102 major projects outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan, progress has been smooth—China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults, CNS Fujian, is launched; Chinese artificial intelligence patents account for 60% of the global total; and China continues to lead the world in production and sales of new energy vehicles.
In the “15th Five-Year Plan Recommendations,” China has set the goal of reaching the level of per capita GDP of moderately developed countries by 2035—a key indicator of basically achieving socialist modernization. This goal requires the coordinated implementation of the 14th, 15th, and 16th Five-Year Plans, with the “15th Five-Year Plan” serving as the critical stage for reinforcing the foundations and pushing ahead on all fronts. A well-planned and well-coordinated start to the 15th Five-Year Plan not only reflects the CPC’s deep understanding of the laws of socialist construction but also highlights its institutional strength in national governance and strategic leadership.
The Five-Year Plan Derives Vitality from Rooting in China’s Realities and Keeping up with the Times
“Putting the people first” and “Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets” — such principles are rooted in China’s fine traditional culture and are vividly reflected in the Five-Year Plans, particularly in the areas of people’s welfare and ecological protection. At the same time, the Five-Year Plans embrace the trends of the times. China has consistently uphold the banner of openness, working with other countries to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and has proposed the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and Global Governance Initiative, to build a community with a shared future for humanity. The Five-Year Plans have always taken a long-term perspective, ensuring development and security, promoting high-standard opening-up, and injecting stability and certainty into the increasingly turbulent world.
China neither imports “foreign models” nor exports a “Chinese model.” The essence of “Governance of China” lies in following a path of socialist modernization suited to China’s national conditions and with Chinese characteristics. It demonstrates the diversity of development paths and enriches the garden of human political civilization. China respects and supports all peoples’ right to independently choose their own development paths and stands ready to share governance experience with all countries, including Afghanistan. We sincerely hope that Afghan people will find a development path suited to their national realities and achieve peace, reconstruction, and prosperity at an early date.
Standing at the historical juncture between the successful conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan and the upcoming launch of the 15th Five-Year Plan, China’s blueprint for development is clearer than ever, and its steps forward are firmer. Under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the Chinese people will continue to forge ahead along the broad path of Chinese modernization. This will not only lay a solid foundation for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation but also offer valuable insights to other countries exploring their own paths to development. “Governance of China” belongs not only to China but also inspires the world — only by basing policies on national realities, keeping a long-term vision, and putting the people first can a nation produce governance outcomes that stand the test of history and its people.
