At a plenary session in Beijing last month, the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party adopted its 15th five-year plan. This plan provides a blueprint for the country’s development over the next five years, and aims to build on past achievements and continue advancing Chinese modernisation.

China’s goal of achieving what it calls “socialist modernisation” by 2035 rests on the Communist Party’s continuous implementation of five-year plans. It aims to realise this goal by leaning decisively on three of the most recent five-year plans, starting with the 14th and current plan.

Unveiled in 2020, the current plan has laid a solid foundation, with the past five years having seen remarkable development. Under the united leadership of the Central Committee with President Xi Jinping at its core, China’s economic heft, scientific and technological prowess, and comprehensive national strength have reached new heights. Chinese modernisation has taken new and bold steps.

For example, against the backdrop of significantly increased external shocks during this period, the country’s economy achieved an average growth rate of about 5.5 per cent. Its total economic output surpassed 110 trillion yuan ($15 trillion), 120 trillion yuan and 130 trillion yuan, and its contribution to global economic growth has remained stable at about 30 per cent. China’s gross domestic product is expected to reach 140 trillion yuan by the end of this year.

The 15th five-year plan includes seven primary goals for China’s economic and social development over the next half a decade: achieving high-quality development; improving scientific and technological self-reliance; deepening reforms; making cultural and ethnic progress across society; improving quality of life; advancing the “Beautiful China Initiative” aimed at creating a sustainable and environmentally friendly