China must gird up for 'high winds and rough waves': CPC conclave

Emphasis on quality over quantity, science and tech self-reliance, and boosting national security shield

- Lim Min Zhang

Students watching a video featuring Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Military Museum in Beijing on Oct 20. At the end of a four-day, closed-door huddle on Oct 23, China's top leaders issued priorities for the '15th Five Year' Plan, an upcoming socio-economic blueprint for 2026 to 2030. The plan is slated to come into effect in early 2026, after it is passed by China's Parliament. PHOTO: GILLES SABRIE/NYTIMES

(GILLES SABRIE/NYTIMES)

In the next five years, China wants to make great strides in development that emphasises quality over quantity, scientific and technological self-reliance and in strengthening the national security shield, a top-level conclave of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has decided.

These goals for an upcoming socioeconomic blueprint for 2026 to 2030 the 15th Five Year Plan comes as Beijing seeks to bolster its resilience amid an uncertain international outlook that is largely driven by a trade war with the United States.

The communique of the Fourth Plenum that detailed this vision was issued on Oct 23, at the end of the four-day, closed-door huddle of 315 of China's top leaders in Beijing.

These priorities provided little surprises for China watchers, as Beijing has for years signalled top-level emphasis on, for instance, advanced manufacturing, science and technology, and national security.

The meeting approved a "Suggestions" document for formulating the upcoming plan, said official news agency Xinhua.

The plan is slated to come into effect in early 2026, after it is passed by China's Parliament.