China is formulating its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), a pivotal blueprint for national development during a period deemed crucial for laying the groundwork to achieve basic socialist modernization by 2035. The plan outlines key priorities, including building a modernized industrial system, achieving greater self-reliance in science and technology, and pursuing broader, high-standard openness.
Commenting on the nature of such plans, Alan Zhang, a Research Associate at the ICAS, noted, "The Five-Year Plan has its unique character. It is a smaller component of a larger strategy. Unlike China, no other countries around the world have the same strictness and determination to orient their policies around one single theme, which is the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." This perspective highlights the strategic coherence and long-term vision underpinning China's policy framework.
A top priority for the 15th Five-Year Plan is constructing a modernized industrial system and reinforcing the real economy. According to senior officials, this will involve upgrading traditional industries, cultivating emerging sectors, and developing modern infrastructure. Specific focuses include consolidating the competitiveness of industries such as chemicals, machinery, and shipbuilding, while accelerating clusters in strategic fields like new energy, new materials, aerospace, and the low-altitude economy.
The plan also targets future industries such as quantum technology, bio-manufacturing, hydrogen energy, and sixth-generation mobile communications. Officials stated that the scale of growth expected in these new sectors over the next decade could be equivalent to creating an entirely new high-tech industry, providing continuous momentum for high-quality economic development.
Achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology is another central goal, closely linked to steering the development of high-quality productive forces. The Ministry of Science and Technology outlined four key areas: strengthening original innovation and core technology breakthroughs, integrating scientific and industrial innovation, coordinating the development of education, science and technology, and advancing the Digital China initiative.
Zhang emphasized that the next five-year plan will focus on these high-quality productive forces, which are driven by revolutionary technological breakthroughs, innovative factor allocation, and industrial transformation. "There is very little left for China to continue to borrow or learn from the rest of the world," making self-driven development imperative.
Despite a complex international environment, China has committed to taking the initiative to open more broadly during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. The focus will be on expanding market access in the services sector, with plans to broaden pilot programs in value-added telecommunications, biotechnology, and wholly foreign-owned hospitals, while increasing openness in education and culture in an orderly manner. The country also aims to accelerate regional and bilateral trade agreements, expand its network of high-standard free trade zones, and enhance areas like intermediate goods trade and green trade.
China has emphasized fostering a "transparent, stable, and predictable institutional environment" to attract foreign investment, stating that the approach would focus on "mutually beneficial and shared development" rather than a "zero-sum" mentality. This commitment to opening up, as Zhang noted, is a "very responsible act, especially during a period when globalization is no longer the most favorable term among most Western politicians."
Reporter: Guo Zedong
Script & Text: Guo Zedong
Video: Liang Zijian
Poster: Lai Meiya
Editor: Yuan Zixiang, James Campion, Shen He
