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

Hong Kong Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group:

This year marks the final year for implementing the 14th Five-Year Plan. The whole society is closely watching the implementation and achievements of the plan's targets and tasks. Could you provide an update on these developments? Thank you.

Mo Gaoyi:

I'd like to invite Mr. Jiang to answer this question.

Jiang Jinquan:

I am glad to address this question. The 14th Five-Year Plan period has encompassed the first five years of launching a new journey to build China into a modern socialist country in all respects. This stage has marked a momentous and extraordinary period in our country's development. The CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has united the entire Party and Chinese people of all ethnic groups and led them in meeting difficulties head-on and forging ahead with determination. This has allowed us to withstand the severe shocks from a once-in-a-century Covid-19 pandemic, respond effectively to many major risks and challenges, and secure significant new achievements in the cause of the Party and the country. The recommendations systematically summarize developments across 12 areas. I will briefly introduce them here.

First, China's economy has made steady progress, and high-quality development has been solidly advanced. China's economic growth rate continues to lead major economies of the world, and this year's GDP is expected to reach about 140 trillion yuan, steadily surpassing the thresholds of 110 trillion, 120 trillion, and 130 trillion yuan. Per capita GDP has also exceeded the world average. China remains the primary engine and major driving force for global economic growth. It is fair to say that the Chinese miracle is incomparable across the world.

Second, China has achieved outstanding results in sci-tech innovation, and new quality productive forces have developed steadily. Total R&D spending and the proportion of basic research spending across society have both reached record highs. There are more than 500,000 high-tech enterprises, and the number of top 100 global science and technology innovation clusters has reached 26, ranking first in the world.

Third, comprehensive reforms have continued to deepen, and high-standard opening up has been continuously expanded. Institutional barriers to high-quality development have been gradually removed, and new institutions for a higher-standard open economy are taking shape more rapidly. We are making deeper and more substantive progress in pursuing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. Free trade arrangements have accelerated, providing new opportunities and creating new space for economic and social development. China has been a steadfast advocate of and contributor to economic globalization.

Fourth, steady progress has been made in ensuring the people's well-being , and the achievements in poverty alleviation have been consolidated and expanded. The number of new urban jobs added remains stable at over 12 million annually, and personal income growth has kept pace with economic growth. China has established and continuously strengthened the world's largest education, health care and social security systems. The completion rate for compulsory education, as well as the coverage rates for basic old-age insurance and basic medical insurance, have each consistently stayed above 95%.

Fifth, the transition to green and low-carbon development has accelerated, and the quality of the ecological environment has continued to improve. We have built the world's largest market for trading carbon emission rights and the largest clean power supply system. At the same time, we have reduced water consumption per 10,000 yuan of GDP to below 50 cubic meters, increased the national forest coverage rate to over 25%, and contributed one-fourth of the world's newly added green areas. Air quality was good or excellent on about 87% of days, and this level has remained stable, making "green" a defining feature of development. China is becoming a global leader in green development.

Sixth, China's security capacity has been effectively enhanced, and the effectiveness of social governance has improved. Grain output has remained stable at over 650 million metric tons. Energy supply stability and risk management capabilities have been further strengthened. The resilience and security of industrial and supply chains have been steadily improved, and important progress has been made in the battle to prevent and defuse financial risks. China has become one of the countries with the lowest crime rates and the highest sense of public security in the world. Peaceful China truly lives up to its name!

In addition, whole-process people's democracy has been deeply developed, and law-based governance on all fronts has been effectively implemented. Cultural undertakings and cultural industries have flourished, resulting in a rich and diverse array of spiritual and cultural products. Significant progress has been made in national defense and military development. The practice of "one country, two systems" has been significantly promoted. Major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics has made progress on all fronts. Full and rigorous Party self-governance has delivered remarkable results. The fight against corruption has deepened, and the Party's creativity, cohesion and combat capabilities have been significantly strengthened. These major achievements have laid solid groundwork for economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

We owe these achievements to the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and the sound guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, we must acquire a deep understanding of the decisive significance of establishing Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and establishing the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. We must rally closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, stay on the right path, follow scientific principles, show a fighting spirit, and seize historical initiative. Through this approach, we will surely continue to create new milestones in Chinese modernization.

Thank you.