Chinese President Xi Jinping convened a symposium in Shanghai on April 30, 2025, to discuss the planning and goals for China’s economic and social development during the forthcoming 15th Five-Year Plan period from 2026 to 2030. In his address, Xi underscored the importance of 'managing our own affairs well' and highlighted the necessity of ensuring both development and security.

This meeting coincides with the final year of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), as China prepares to meet its existing targets while innovatively strategizing for the future.

The president indicated that the planning process must align with the broader goal of achieving a foundational level of socialist modernization, aiming to build a great country and facilitate national rejuvenation.

China's five-year plans serve as fundamental blueprints that outline the nation’s developmental objectives, key tasks, and policy frameworks across multiple sectors for set five-year periods.

Xi stressed the need for adaptability in the face of changing conditions and urged a focused approach to establishing reasonable targets and specific performance metrics.

During the symposium, Xi reinforced the commitment to 'high-quality development' and called for a heightened focus on both development and security, promoting a thorough assessment of risks and challenges, both domestic and international.

He advocated for strengthening the national security system as a precursor to fostering sustainable progress.

The five-year planning framework has its roots in China's developmental policy approach dating back to the 1950s.

The extensive formulation process integrates centralized leadership from the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee with democratic participation across various societal sectors.

Prior to this symposium, a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, led by Xi, urged the necessity to address unpredictable global changes through the assurance of high-quality domestic development.

Xi's interaction with provincial officials showcased an emphasis on promoting new, quality productive forces tailored to regional specifics in the upcoming five years.

He called for a focus on technological innovations and real economy enhancement, pushing for transformation and modernization in traditional industries alongside the development of emerging sectors.

Moreover, Xi highlighted the government's commitment to prioritizing the welfare of its citizens, indicating that advances in development should ensure improved living standards and progress towards common prosperity.

Economic experts posit that the forthcoming five-year plan could solidify China's position as the world's largest consumer market and a pivotal stabilizer in global economic dynamics.

Consulting authorities anticipate that upcoming fiscal policies may boost areas such as technological innovation, digital economy integration, and sustainable growth initiatives, further underlining China's global economic relevance.

Alongside this planning, recent government fiscal measures have emerged as crucial support mechanisms intended to stabilize economic growth amid global uncertainties.

China's fiscal response, enhanced by a deficit increase and a comprehensive bond issuance strategy, aims at sustaining economic momentum and bolstering domestic consumption and infrastructure investment in alignment with the current strategic objectives outlined by Xi.