The Fourth Session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) of China and the Fourth Session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) (collectively known as “the Two Sessions”) were successfully held last month in Beijing. The Two Sessions conducted in-depth discussions on major issues such as economic and social development and improvements in people’s livelihood, reviewed and approved key documents including the 2026 Government Work Report, made authoritative assessments of China’s economic performance, and set clear development goals for 2026. The most notable outcome was the approval of the 15th Five-Year Plan, which proposes 20 key indicators across five areas, outlines a series of major strategic tasks in 16 fields and identifies 109 major projects. The Plan provides a top-level blueprint for China’s development over the next five years. During the two sessions, President Xi Jinping, also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), engaged in-depth exchanges with the deputies of the NPC and members of the CPPCC, discussing major state affairs together. He made a series of important instructions on developing new quality productive forces based on local conditions, expanding high-level opening-up, advancing the Healthy China initiative, and exercising full and rigorous governance over the CPC. These instructions provided clear guidance for advancing economic and social development during the period of the 15th Five-Year Plan, and demonstrated China’s firm determination and confidence in pursuing openness and cooperation with the world. The Two Sessions have not only outlined a grand blueprint for China’s development in the new era, but also provided an important window for the world to understand the pulse of China’s development in the following aspects. First, China’s scientific and technological innovation is fostering new global momentum for development. In recent years, China has emerged as a global leader in new energy vehicles and photovoltaic industries, achieved continuous breakthroughs in fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum technology, and proactively cultivated future industries like bio-manufacturing and embodied intelligence. Innovation is now the core engine driving China’s economic growth. The Two Sessions have underscored the need to lead with scientific and technological innovation and anchor development in the real economy, promoting the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, the expansion of emerging industries, and the forward-looking layout of future industries. China’s total R&D spending is expected to grow by more than 7% annually during the period of the 15th Five-Year Plan. Emerging sectors, including new energy, new materials, aerospace, and low-altitude economy, are poised to give rise to multiple trillion-yuan-scale markets, contributing to sustained global economic progress amid a new wave of technological revolution. Secondly, China’s opening-up has created new channels for global cooperation and connectivity. Currently, China is the primary trading partner for over 160 countries and regions. It has remained the world’s second-largest import market for 17 consecutive years, and has contributed more than $300 billion in taxes to host countries through outbound investment over the past five years. The Two Sessions reiterated that China will continue to pursue win-win cooperation, further expand high-level opening-up, steadily advance institutional opening, expand market access and openness, particularly in services, continuously improve the environment for foreign investment, and advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. China remains committed to working with all countries to jointly grow and fairly share the benefits of economic globalization, complement each other’s strengths and share opportunities through openness, and achieve mutual development and shared success through integrated interests. Thirdly, China’s resilience has bolstered new confidence in global development and stability. China’s economy has maintained an average annual growth rate of 5.4% over the past five years, contributing approximately 30% to global economic growth, exceeding the combined total of the G7 countries. China’s economic increment exceeds 5 trillion yuan each year, equivalent to the GDP of a medium-sized country. Amid a complex and volatile international environment, the 15th Five-Year Plan has signaled stable macroeconomic policies and continued deep reforms, demonstrating China’s ability to maintain long-term planning and policy continuity. This highlights the strong resilience and institutional advantages of China’s economy, sending renewed confidence and hope to the world. Committed to building a community with a shared future for humanity, China will continue to pursue the Chinese path of modernisation, developing itself while benefiting the world, and injecting steady momentum into global prosperity through its high-quality development. Fourthly, China’s diplomacy offers a new approach to de-escalating turbulent situations. The current war on Iran is one of the focal points in international affairs. China has expressed its deep concerns over the conflicts spilling over into neighbouring countries. At the foreign minister’s press conference during the Two Sessions, Wang Yi, the Chinese foreign minister, elaborated on China’s position, proposing five fundamental principles: respect for national sovereignty, refraining from the abuse of force, adherence to non-interference in internal affairs, pursuing political settlement of hot-spot issues, and the constructive role of major powers. These principles reflect not only China’s call for peace, but also the shared aspiration of the vast majority of the international community. Since the very first day of the conflict, China has made concrete and active efforts to promote ceasefire and peace, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi holding extensive communications and consultations with foreign ministers, including HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. The Chinese Special Envoy on the Middle East Issue, Zhai Jun, has also engaged in shuttle diplomacy across the Gulf region. As a sincere friend and strategic partner of Middle Eastern countries, China stands ready to work with Qatar and other regional partners to implement the Global Security Initiative, restore order to the Middle East, and bring tranquility to its people. This year marks the beginning of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the China-Qatar strategic partnership has gone through 12 golden years of development. The 15th Five-Year Plan will serve as the “golden key” to unlock the next golden era of the China-Qatar strategic partnership. Looking ahead, China is ready to work with Qatar to uphold the spirit of China-Arab friendship, enhance the alignment of development strategies, deepen the strategic partnership, comprehensively advance exchanges and cooperation in various fields and at all levels, and write a new chapter of win-win cooperation.
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