The Daily Planet #117: The China Shock, Part 18

And finally, any country that's rapidly becoming more technologically capable and dominant in some industries is going to get adverse attention. Are they trustworthy? Will they eat us alive? These are fair questions, and it's instructive to see how the official Chinese sources are responding to them. This is what they have to say:

Taken together, China is sending a clear message to the world: A stronger China will not export war or conflict--it will export opportunities. As it continues to pursue its own stable development, China remains committed to growing alongside the world and sharing the benefits of progress.

Do you believe them? Maybe yes, maybe not...

The recent Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee outlined China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), setting a clear roadmap for the country's development over the next five years. This plan focuses on building a modern industrial system, strengthening the real economy, and driving growth through innovation. China aims to reach a per-capita GDP comparable to a mid-level developed country by 2035, reflecting its long-term vision for modernization.

China's Five-Year Plans have been crucial in guiding its steady progress for decades, combining government planning with market forces to create a unique development model. This approach allows China to adapt flexibly to changing global conditions, such as the recent pandemic and geopolitical uncertainties, by adjusting plans dynamically while maintaining strategic stability.

Key priorities include upgrading traditional industries with new technologies, expanding emerging sectors, and investing in future technologies like artificial intelligence, nuclear fusion, and quantum computing. The plan emphasizes integrating manufacturing with services and the digital economy, ensuring innovation quickly translates into real-world products and economic growth.

The government also highlights the importance of expanding domestic demand by improving income distribution and social welfare, aiming to boost consumption among low- and middle-income households. This focus on "common prosperity" supports both economic growth and social development.

China's continued opening up to the world offers vast opportunities for global businesses, with initiatives like the China International Import Expo facilitating international trade. The country's strong manufacturing base and innovation capacity make it a key player in global supply chains and green development, helping other nations transition to sustainable growth.

Here ended the propaganda.

Landmark meeting sends major policy signals for the next five years

The Five-Year Plans provide a rare form of certainty in China, in a world of increasing uncertainty