Tu Haiming says that for international partners, the new plan presents specific opportunities and demonstrates reliability

The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), set to be discussed and finalized during the ongoing two sessions in Beijing, has been described as the strategic road map for China’s high-quality development. This elevated designation reflects the profound transformation the plan is poised to bring to the Chinese economy.

First, the plan aims to reshape the power source of development. By placing the development of new quality productive forces tailored to actual situations at a strategic forefront, China is shifting its focus from simple quantitative-oriented expansion to a model that unifies effective qualitative improvement with reasonable quantitative growth. This paradigm transformation will manifest in three key areas: the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation to ensure seamless alignment between innovation and supply chains; the cultivation of future industries — such as quantum technology, biomanufacturing, embodied artificial intelligence, and 6G communications — as new growth poles; and of course, the revitalization of traditional industries. Through the implementation of the “AI+ initiative”, traditional sectors such as chemicals, metallurgy, and agriculture will undergo intelligent and green upgrades, unlocking vast new market potential.

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Second, the blueprint emphasizes balanced development. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China intends to comprehensively address excessive, self-defeating competition — a phenomenon termed “involution” — to foster a healthy market order. By breaking down local protectionism and market fragmentation, the nation aims to facilitate the smooth flow of capital, talent, data, and technology, thereby accelerating the construction of a unified national market. Crucially, the logic of investment is evolving. Funds will not only flow into “traditional infrastructure” like transport and water conservancy and “new infrastructure” like AI computing power and big-data centers, but increasingly into public welfare such as education, elderly care, childcare, and healthcare. This shift ensures a more optimal allocation of resources.

Third, the plan underscores the dominance of domestic demand — a high-frequency term at this year’s two sessions. With a population of 1.4 billion and a middle-income group exceeding 400 million, the potential of the domestic consumer market remains largely untapped. The focus of expanding domestic demand will transition from consumption of goods to service consumption. Emerging trends such as the “silver economy”, “low-altitude economy”, and “emotional consumption” are set to open new avenues for economic activity and growth.

China has maintained an economic growth rate of over 5 percent for many years, a feat that is not accidental but driven by the strategic guidance of its five-year plans, which elevate the economy to a new level every half-decade. In a global context, few economies exhibit such stability and robustness. This stability rests on three pillars.

First, social stability. In a world fraught with geopolitical conflicts and volatility, where certain major powers bully others in total disregard of international rules, China remains focused on its own development. Its growing comprehensive national strength effectively withstands external risks, while internal social harmony creates a unified force for development.

Second, a complete industrial chain. China is the only country in the world possessing all industrial categories in the United Nations industrial classification — covering 41 industrial divisions, 207 groups, and 666 classes. This provides three distinct advantages — massive scale, acting as the “ballast” of global industry; strong supporting capacity, acting as an “accelerator” for efficiency; and resilience, serving as a “buffer” against risks.

Third, an aptitude for medium- and long-term planning. While governments in many nations may formulate plans for specific sectors, they often lack comprehensive, long-range strategies. China, by contrast, implements comprehensive planning in which “annual tasks”, “five-year plans”, and “long-range objectives” are effectively integrated, covering every facet of socioeconomic development. With planning going first, development follows a clear road map. Notably, the National People’s Congress will also deliberate on a draft law on national development planning. Once enacted, the legislation will ensure that socioeconomic development won’t change course because of short-term factors or personnel changes, further enhancing the authority of these plans.

As a major country accounting for nearly 20 percent of the global economy and contributing 30 percent to world economic growth, China signals through the 15th Five-Year Plan that its economy will continue to grow steadily. This serves as a source of reassurance for the global economy, demonstrating to other countries that cooperation with China is reliable and mutually beneficial.

For international partners, the new blueprint presents specific opportunities.

First, cooperation with China fosters technological innovation. Historically known as the “world’s factory”, China has placed the development of new quality productive forces at a strategic core in the 15th Five-Year Plan, a move that is reshaping how China interacts economically with the broader world. For instance, China’s rise in high-tech fields such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology provides the Global South with new channels to access affordable, advanced technologies, helping them break Western technological monopolies. Meanwhile, the outward transfer of certain industrial chains also brings innovation opportunities to many nations.

Second, cooperation with China expands markets. China possesses a supersized market and is simultaneously the major trading partner for more than 140 countries and regions worldwide. The 15th Five-Year Plan is dedicated to expanding domestic demand and upgrading domestic consumption, creating opportunities for products and services from all partnering nations.

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Third, cooperation with China promotes green transition. The commitment to green transition as stipulated in the 15th Five-Year Plan will profoundly impact the global environmental and energy landscape. For example, China will continue to lead in the “new three” — photovoltaics, lithium-ion batteries and new energy vehicles — while engaging in research and development for next-generation solid-state batteries and hydrogen fuel cells. This signals that China is set to become a leading player in the global green supply chain, capable of driving green development in many other countries.

Fourth, cooperation with China offers a reference for development models. The 15th Five-Year Plan seeks the optimal balance between economic indicators and environmental goals, ensuring that economic growth does not come at the expense of environmental protection. This will provide a valuable reference for many developing nations.

China’s new five-year blueprint is bound to be transformed into tangible development — if history is any guide, it will benefit not only China but the entire world.

The author is vice-chairman of the Committee on Liaison with Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and chairman of the Hong Kong New Era Development Thinktank.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.