Press conference on guiding principles of the 4th plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee

Mo Gaoyi:

Thank you, Mr. Jiang. Now, I will give floor to Mr. Han to introduce the analysis of the situation, and the guiding principles, main goals and agricultural sector for the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

Han Wenxiu:

Good morning. The recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan adopted by the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee are based on the accurate understanding of China's development stage and deep analysis of the international and domestic situations. It has laid down the guiding principles and major objectives related to economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, drawn a blueprint for development over the next five years, and charted the course for advancing Chinese modernization. Next, I will present some of the key aspects of the recommendations.

First is regarding the overall judgement of the environment for China's development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. The recommendations stressed that the relations between major countries affect the international situation, and the changing international situation profoundly impacts domestic development. China is currently in a phase of development where strategic opportunities exist alongside risks and challenges, with increasing uncertainties and unpredictable factors. On the international front, the world is rapidly undergoing changes unseen in a century, and the balance of international power is undergoing profound adjustments. China enjoys many favorable factors in terms of taking the initiative in engaging in international spaces and shaping the external environment. Meanwhile, volatility is rising in a changing and turbulent world. Competition between major countries is becoming more complex and intense, the uncertainties and instabilities of the external environment are rising, and risks and challenges are increasing. However, there will always be opportunity in crisis, and crises can be turned into opportunities. We must carry forward the spirit of historical initiative to overcome difficulties, combat risks and meet challenges to ensure the steady and sustained progress of Chinese modernization. On the domestic front, China's economic foundation is stable, and has many advantages, strong resilience and great potential. The conditions and underlying trends supporting the long-term positive growth remain unchanged. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, we will both build on the current momentum and tackle challenges head-on. We will fully leverage strengths and favorable factors of socialism with Chinese characteristics, China's enormous market, complete industrial system and abundant human resources, transforming these advantages into genuine progress and high-quality development.

Second is regarding the guiding principles for economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. The recommendations stressed that we must fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, move toward the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects, advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through Chinese modernization, implement the "Five-Sphere Integrated Plan" and the "Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy" in a coordinated manner, balance the domestic and international situations, fully and accurately apply the new development philosophy on all fronts, and move faster to foster a new pattern of development. The recommendations put forward requirements that can be summarized as: "Five Pursues," "Two Promotes" and "One Secure." That is we must continue to pursue economic development as our central task, with high-quality development as our main focus, reform and innovation as the fundamental driving force, meeting the people's ever-growing needs for a better life as our fundamental goal, and full and rigorous Party self-governance as the fundamental underpinning for all our efforts. Meanwhile, we must promote higher-quality economic growth while achieving an appropriate increase in economic output and make solid headway in promoting well-rounded personal development and common prosperity for all. All of this will allow us to secure decisive progress toward basically achieving socialist modernization. The recommendations established six guiding principles for economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period: upholding the Party's overall leadership; putting the people first; pursuing high-quality development; comprehensively deepening reform; promoting interplay between an efficient market and a well-functioning government; and ensuring both development and security. The guiding principles and philosophies of the recommendations are consistent with the previous five-year plans, while keeping pace with the times, maintaining integrity, and innovating with strong ideological, strategic and guiding significance.

Third is regarding the major objectives of economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. The seven objectives are as follows: First, significant achievements in high-quality development. We will keep economic growth within a reasonable range and achieve notable increases in household consumption. Second, substantial improvements in scientific and technological self-reliance and strength. We will achieve breakthroughs in key and core technologies in major areas and further integrate scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation. Third, fresh breakthroughs in further deepening reform comprehensively. We will further improve the socialist market economy and strengthen the institutions for high standard opening up. Fourth, notable cultural and ethical progress across society. We will strengthen confidence in our culture and continually bolster our soft power. Fifth, further improvements in quality of life. We will make new progress in high-quality and full employment and significantly increase equitable access to basic public services. Sixth, major new strides in advancing the Beautiful China initiative. We will reach peak carbon emissions as scheduled and keep reducing the total emissions of major pollutants. Seventh, further advances in strengthening the national security shield. We will effectively prevent and resolve risks in key areas. These goals are both inspiring and practical. It is believed that in the next five years, China's comprehensive national strength, including both hard power and soft power, will continue to increase, our international standing will continue to rise, and the people will live happier and better lives, laying a solid foundation for basically achieving socialist modernization by 2035. As is customary, the objectives in the recommendations are mainly qualitative. The specific numeric targets and major projects will be laid out in the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan.

I'd like to take this opportunity to specifically talk about the plan to accelerate the modernization of agriculture and rural areas and advance all-round rural revitalization. Agricultural and rural modernization is related to the overall picture and quality of Chinese modernization, and is the most significant weak link that needs to be shored up on as the priority. The recommendations require placing the issues related to agriculture, rural areas and rural residents as the top priority of the Party's agenda, promoting the integrated development of urban and rural areas, and securing faster progress in building China's strength in agriculture. First, we will enhance the overall production capacity and quality performance of agriculture. We will emphasize output and capacity, production and ecology, and increasing production and incomes. We will seek coordinated development of technological agriculture, green agriculture, quality agriculture and branded agriculture, and turn Chinese agriculture into a key modern sector. We will endeavor to do a good job in arable land protection and agricultural technological innovation to ensure that the rice bowls of the Chinese people are held firmly and steadily in our own hands. Second, we will ensure the policies aimed at strengthening agriculture, benefiting farmers and achieving rural prosperity deliver greater outcomes. We will build a diversified investment framework that ensures fiscal priority, targeted financial support and active social participation. We will also strengthen policy measures on pricing, subsidies and insurance to continuously raise farmers' incomes, and further consolidate and expand the gains made in poverty alleviation. Third, we will build a livable, harmonious and beautiful countryside. We will leverage the experience gained from the Green Rural Revival Program in Zhejiang province, advancing rural revitalization with a category-based, orderly and zoning approach. We will make solid efforts in cracking issues such as rural toilet renovation and waste-handling with a spirit of perseverance. Efforts will be made to gradually make rural infrastructure more complete, public services more convenient and the living environment more comfortable, so that rural areas are basically equipped with modern living conditions and the countryside becomes a quality living space. Thank you.