China plans next 5 years: Does public opinion matter?

The Peoples Republic of China (PRC) established on October 1st 1949 planned their path towards their 1st & 2nd centenary goals in five year steps.

- BY PROF. SAMITHA HETTIGE

The 1st centenary goal was to alleviate poverty in China by 2021 when the Communist Party of China (CPC - established in July 1921) celebrated its centenary. China reached that goal in 2020 & marked it with the Chinese flag flying on the moon. The 2nd centenary goal was to create a moderately prosperous socialist state (a Xiaokang) by year 2049 when the PRC marks its centenary. Hence, the Five Year Plan (FYP) is an important policy documents for China. The 1st was drawn in 1953 & the FYP continue to set short term goals for China’s socioeconomic development.

From 1st to the 14th

Beginning in 1986 (1986 — 1990) with the 7th FYP, China projected an average annual GDP growth & managed to maintain it despite western attempts to stop China especially at a time when the United Socialist Soviet Republics (USSR) was de-established in 1989. Same year Sri Lanka implemented the ‘Janasaviya’ poverty alleviation programme but a proper analysis can be done to see if Sri Lankans were actually confused between poverty alleviation & poverty sustaining for political benefits.