Podcasts about cpc central committee

Xi Jin ping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has called for efforts to strengthen political guidance and deepen innovation-driven development to advance the high-quality modernization of national defense and the armed forces.Xi, who is also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks on Thursday when presiding over a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.He urged efforts to fulfill the goals for the centenary of the People's Liberation Army in 2027 and make "decisive progress" in basically realizing the modernization of national defense and the armed forces. This, he said, will provide strong strategic support for advancing the cause of building a great country and achieving national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization.The study session was held ahead of the founding anniversary of the PLA, which falls on Saturday. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the CMC, Xi extended festival greetings to all members of the PLA and the People's Armed Police Force, civilian personnel of the PLA, and members of the reserve forces and the militia.Xi said that since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, China has made comprehensive efforts to enhance political loyalty in the military, strengthen the military through reform, personnel training and science and technology, and run the military in accordance with the law.By simultaneously carrying out operations, strengthening combat preparedness and enhancing military capabilities, the Chinese military has significantly improved its modernization level and become a capable fighting force, making historic achievements and transformations, he said.Emphasizing the importance of ensuring political loyalty in the military, Xi urged upholding and strengthening the absolute leadership of the Party over the armed forces. Efforts should be made to ensure that military officers and soldiers follow the Party and that they always obey the Party's commands, he said.Xi called for unremitting efforts to fight against corruption, improve the supervision system for major projects and ensure that all initiatives are underpinned by quality, capability and integrity.He noted the importance of combat effectiveness in the high-quality modernization of national defense and the armed forces, saying that it is essential to enhance the military application of unmanned intelligent technologies and intensify construction and application of a network information system to gradually build an intelligent military system.Solid steps should be taken to advance military training and enhance combat preparedness to effectively safeguard China's national sovereignty, security and development interests, he said.Xi emphasized that consolidating and enhancing integrated national strategies and strategic capabilities is the path the nation must take to achieve high-quality modernization of national defense and the armed forces.He called for strengthening military governance, optimizing institutional frameworks and improving policies and regulations to strengthen close collaboration between the military and civilian sectors.In another development, Xi has signed an order to commend Yang Yong from Troop 91548 of the PLA, honoring him with a first-class merit citation in defense-related science and technology.China has also commended and honored 12 military officers and soldiers as "the most beautiful revolutionary personnel of the new era", according to a joint announcement on Friday by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and the Political Work Department of the CMC.

The fifth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee will be held in Beijing in October, with a focus on studying major issues on consistently advancing the Party's full and rigorous self-governance.The announcement came on Thursday after a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, which was presided over by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.A statement issued after the meeting said that with the profound changes in the international landscape, national conditions and the Party's development, there are new circumstances and issues in advancing the Party's self-governance.In exercising full and rigorous Party governance, efforts should be focused on enhancing the Party's long-term governance capability, maintaining its advanced nature and integrity, and preserving the close bond between the Party and the people, in order to ensure that the Party always remains the strong leadership core in developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, the statement said.The meeting also analyzed and studied the current economic situation and made arrangements for economic work in the second half of this year.During the meeting, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, the Party's top decision-making body, pledged to step up macro policy support, and underlined the need to implement a more proactive fiscal policy and a moderately loose monetary policy, fully leverage the effectiveness of existing policies and roll out practical and effective incremental measures in a timely manner.It is essential to strengthen countercyclical adjustments, intensify efforts to expand domestic demand and optimize supply, enhance development momentum and stimulate social vitality in order to achieve sustained, innovative and improved economic growth, the meeting said.The meeting emphasized the need to accelerate the pace of fiscal spending and the use of bond funds, effectively utilize monetary policy tools and adjust them in a timely manner, and optimize fiscal-monetary coordination to boost domestic demand.It is important to expand mutually beneficial international economic and trade cooperation, vigorously develop service trade, and promote balanced trade development, the meeting said, calling for efforts to actively attract and utilize foreign capital.The meeting emphasized the importance of stabilizing the real estate market, while highlighting the need to enhance the resilience of the capital market and investors' confidence.China's economy grew 4.7 percent year-on-year in the first half of the year. This put the country largely on track to meet its annual growth target of between 4.5 and 5 percent.To effectively carry out economic work for the remainder of the year, efforts must be made to better consider both the domestic and international situations in a coordinated way, balance development and security, consistently deepen reform and opening-up, and speed up the transition from old growth drivers to new ones, the meeting said.The meeting underlined the need to take solid steps to build the "six networks" — water, new-type power grids, computing power, next-generation communication, urban underground pipe and logistics, while calling for efforts to accelerate the development of a modern industrial system and strengthen long-term and steady support for basic research.While calling for deeply implementing the "AI Plus" initiative, fostering new forms of the smart economy and improving the governance system for artificial intelligence, the meeting underscored the need to seek breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies and the development of future industries.Efforts should be made to build emerging pillar industries, while continuously driving the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, the meeting said.The meeting emphasized the need to create a level playing field for market entities, comprehensively address "rat race" competition, further deepen the reform of State-owned assets and enterprises, optimize the development environment for the private economy, and promote the regulated and healthy development of the internet-based platform economy.It is important to effectively implement a package of debt relief measures, and steadily advance the reform and risk mitigation of local small and medium-sized financial institutions, the meeting said.Advice on economic workPrior to Thursday's Political Bureau meeting, the CPC Central Committee held a symposium on July 24 with non-CPC personages to solicit opinions and suggestions on the current economic situation and economic work for the second half of this year.While presiding over the symposium, Xi said that in the first half of the year, China's economy made steady progress despite headwinds, demonstrating strong resilience and vitality.In the second half of the year, efforts should focus on enhancing the effectiveness of macroeconomic policies, Xi said.Key priorities include tapping into the potential for expanding domestic demand, promoting the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation, deepening reform and expanding high-standard opening-up, improving people's livelihoods and continuing to mitigate risks in key areas, he said.plenary /ˈpliːnəri/ adj.全体出席的；全体会议的countercyclical /ˌkaʊntəˈsɪklɪkl/ adj.逆周期的incremental /ˌɪŋkrəˈmentl/ adj.增量的；新增的resilience /rɪˈzɪliəns/ n.韧性；抗风险能力symposium /sɪmˈpəʊziəm/ n.座谈会；专题研讨会mitigate /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ v.缓解；化解（风险、债务、压力）

President Xi Jinping has called for efforts to carry out the basic task of fostering virtue through education and break new ground in the high-quality development of the country's basic education.Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in an instruction on work related to basic education.He pointed out that since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the CPC Central Committee has prioritized basic education as a foundational and leading task, taking multiple measures to promote significant development in basic education, thus providing robust support for building a strong country in education.Xi required fully implementing the Party's policies on education to nurture students with well-rounded development in terms of moral grounding, intellectual capability, physical vigor, aesthetic sensibility and work skills, who will fully develop socialism and carry forward the socialist cause.He underlined the need to follow the inherent laws of education, uphold the "health first" principle, and enhance the quality of education and teaching to promote physical and mental health and the overall development of students.It is important to meet the new expectations of the people to enhance the quality of basic education and ensure equality in education, Xi said, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a high-caliber and professional teaching workforce.He urged Party committees and governments at all levels to shoulder their political responsibilities, optimize the allocation of educational resources, deepen comprehensive education reform, and promote coordinated efforts from schools, families and society to continuously make new advances in the high-quality development of basic education.Xi's instruction was conveyed by Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang at the national basic education work conference, which was held in Beijing on Wednesday.Addressing the conference, Ding said that efforts must be made to strictly manage student admissions and enrollment, and provide more care and support to left-behind children in rural areas and the children of migrant workers in cities.It is essential to firmly ensure equity in education and promote balanced development in basic education, he said, calling for efforts to optimize the allocation of educational resources to adapt to demographic changes.Ding emphasized the need to deepen education and teaching reforms with a student-centered approach, and shape new advantages in basic education.The basic education system in China includes preschool education, nine-year compulsory education from elementary to junior high school, and standard senior high school.China has built the world's largest basic education system and is shifting its focus from ensuring access to improving education quality, with major progress in equality in education, digital learning and student development, according to the Ministry of Education.Beyond expanding access, China is placing greater emphasis on students' all-around development.compulsory /kəmˈpʌlsəri/义务的，强制的allocation /ˌæləˈkeɪʃn/配置，分配comprehensive /ˌkɒmprɪˈhensɪv/综合的，全面的aesthetic /iːsˈθetɪk/审美的；美学的demographic /ˌdeməˈɡræfɪk/人口统计学的；人口结构的

President Xi Jinping stressed advancing high-quality urban renewal during an inspection tour in Shanghai on Wednesday, calling for comprehensive efforts to fully embrace the people-centered philosophy of urban development and keep enhancing urban residents' sense of gain, happiness and security.In advancing urban renewal, sustained efforts must be made to listen to the people's needs, draw on their suggestions and assess results through their feedback, said Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.During the tour, Xi spoke with residents and community workers at a residential community in Shanghai's Huangpu district. He listened to a briefing on Shanghai's efforts to renovate old residential buildings lacking sanitary facilities and on the city's resolution of the long-standing problem of residents in old neighborhoods having to carry chamber pots.He stressed that the CPC Central Committee has made urban work a policy priority, outlining steps to build modern cities of the people that are innovative, desirable to live in, beautiful, resilient, culturally advanced and smart.Renovating aging urban residential communities is an important part of this endeavor, Xi said.During the Central Urban Work Conference in July last year, Xi stressed that the nation must take urban renewal as a key driver and vigorously optimize urban structure, foster new growth drivers, improve urban quality, advance green transformation, preserve cultural heritage and enhance governance efficiency.The State Council, China's Cabinet, released in May an urban renewal plan, outlining key targets and policy measures for the country's urban renewal efforts during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period.According to the plan, the nation will launch renovation projects for 115,000 aging urban residential communities and carry out comprehensive community upgrading in 5,000 neighborhoods during the 2026-30 period, with the aim of creating higher-quality urban living spaces.Xi underscored on Wednesday that officials must firmly establish and practice a correct understanding of governance performance, think about what concerns the people, respond to their most pressing needs, formulate and implement effective policies, and persevere in improving people's livelihoods over the long term.He also called for improving property management and community services with what he described as the precision of "needlework", striving to better meet residents' expectations.At the home of retired resident Zhu Guoli, Xi carefully checked the family's living conditions.He told the family that the lives of ordinary people are both family affairs and affairs of the State.The CPC is dedicated to serving the people, and only when the people live in peace and contentment can the Party and the government rest assured, he said.The president also checked the supply of fruits and vegetables and spoke with community representatives, subdistrict officials and community workers.He pointed out that communities are the basic units of the urban governance system.Xi also called for steps to improve the level of community governance, directing more resources, services and management to the grassroots, while continuing to reduce burdens on primary-level organizations and empower them.With the nation now at a critical stage of flood control and prevention, Xi called on various regions and departments to establish worst-case scenario thinking, closely monitor rainfall, flood conditions and typhoon developments, and carry out detailed investigations of potential risks and hazards. He highlighted the importance of making solid preparations for flood prevention and control, emergency rescue and disaster relief, and effectively safeguarding the lives and property of the people.renewal /rɪˈnjuːəl/更新；改造；复兴resilient /rɪˈzɪliənt/有韧性的，抗风险能力强的grassroots /ˈɡrɑːsruːts/基层；草根endeavor /ɪnˈdevə(r)/努力；事业，工作underscore /ˌʌndəˈskɔː(r)/着重强调，凸显scenario /səˈnɑːriəʊ/情景、预想情况

President Xi Jinping called for all-out efforts on Tuesday in emergency rescue, medical treatment for the injured and the resettlement of affected people, after multiple regions were hit by severe flooding.Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, also urged that every effort be made to safeguard people's lives and property while minimizing casualties and preventing secondary disasters.Recent heavy rain and strong winds have caused dam breaches and landslides in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region and Hubei and Gansu provinces, resulting in heavy casualties and economic losses.In the face of severe challenges posed by floods, Xi called on local governments and relevant departments to implement existing flood prevention measures, and thoroughly inspect and rectify potential hazards involving rivers, lakes, reservoirs and areas prone to geological disasters.He also called for stronger monitoring, early warning and emergency preparedness, as well as solid disaster prevention and relief efforts.Premier Li Qiang also urged authorities to strengthen monitoring of rainfall and flood conditions, improve hazard detection and early warning, and carry out emergency rescue and disaster relief with all-out efforts.The Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee has allocated 60 million yuan ($8.8 million) from Party membership funds to support flood prevention and disaster relief efforts in five provincial-level regions.Recent extreme weather has battered multiple regions across China, with record-breaking rainfall and landslides causing heavy casualties and widespread damage. Rescue operations continue as authorities race against time to save lives.Typhoon Maysak, the 10th typhoon of this year, unleashed historically rare and prolonged torrential rains across the region, said Cai Yunge, executive vice-chairman of Guangxi.Cai said the extreme weather had hit 63 counties and districts in Guangxi, with a total of 375,000 people affected. The death toll rose to six, with 11 others reported missing, while 130,000 residents had been urgently evacuated to safer ground as of Tuesday evening. Agricultural damage has been substantial, with approximately 12,900 hectares of crops destroyed, he added.Huang Lu, deputy head of Nanning's emergency management bureau, said 1,343 personnel from the fire, police and health departments, supported by 106 vehicles and 38 boats, were carrying out rescue operations and epidemic prevention work.Temporary shelters have been established at six locations across Hengzhou and stocked with drinking water, food, bedding and lighting supplies. Eleven temporary medical stations have also been set up to provide round-the-clock medical services, according to local authorities.The armed police detachment in Nanning sent more than 160 personnel and 14 vehicles, along with rubber boats and communications equipment, to the disaster area.After arriving in Yunbiao township of Hengzhou at 5:30 pm on Monday, rescuers found floodwaters in low-lying areas reaching depths of one meter. Some houses were submerged to the second floor, with water depths reaching up to three meters. An estimated 55,000 to 60,000 residents in the township were trapped, prompting urgent search and evacuation operations, the detachment said."We rushed to the site as soon as we got the order and carried out searches house by house — not a single person should be left behind," said Wei Hao, one of the deployed officers.Zhang Shaoqing, another member of the armed police detachment, said that rain continued throughout the night, and their clothes never dried. "Honestly, we were numb after a while, but every time we carried someone out and they said thank you, we felt we could keep going," Zhang said.As of Tuesday afternoon, the detachment had rescued and evacuated 306 people, delivered 1,500 relief supply items and provided on-site medical assistance to 56 people.The National Development and Reform Commission allocated 100 million yuan from the central budget on Monday to support post-disaster restoration in Guangxi.In Gansu, a landslide struck a village in Longnan at 6:56 am on Tuesday. As of 9 pm, rescuers had located 31 of the 33 people reported missing, five of whom died despite all efforts. Search operations continued.In Hubei, severe convective weather — caused by the vertical movement of air driven by heat — swept across eastern parts of the province on Monday evening, bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms and tornadoes to some townships. As of Tuesday morning, the storms had affected 14,600 people, killing 11 and leaving one missing.The extreme weather destroyed 22 homes and damaged another 4,855. Rescue and disaster relief efforts were proceeding in an orderly manner, while authorities continued to verify the extent of damage.Local resident Qian Xiaobo, 38, said: "It was terrifying. This is the first time I've experienced such strong wind and rain. The roof was blown off, the second-floor walls were soaked, and all the glass on the first floor shattered."His father was injured and was hospitalized, but his life was not in danger."I'll remain positive," Qian said.Yu Hao, captain of the Huanggang fire and rescue brigade, said his unit received deployment orders at 11:15 pm on Monday and arrived at the scene in less than two hours. Roads were blocked, electricity was cut off and houses had collapsed, making rescue operations extremely difficult, he said.They searched house by house. Despite the challenges, Yu said his team always puts people's safety first and has remained in good condition while pushing on despite fatigue.

An article by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on how to excel as head of the CPC county committee was published on Wednesday.The article by Xi, who is also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, was published in this year's 13th issue of the Qiushi Journal, a flagship magazine of the CPC Central Committee.The article is a speech delivered by Xi at a seminar for county-level Party chiefs at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee on Jan 12, 2015.He noted in the article that in the Party's organizational structure and in the State power structure, the county level serves as a crucial link connecting higher and lower levels, and it constitutes a vital foundation for boosting economic development, ensuring people's well-being, maintaining social stability and safeguarding the country's long-term stability and security.Xi urged county-level Party chiefs across the country to draw inspiration from the spirit of Jiao Yulu, an exemplary role model for grassroots Party officials.The article emphasized that loyalty to the Party is a key criterion for county-level Party chiefs, who must consciously align themselves with the CPC Central Committee and resolutely uphold its authority.To be a good county-level Party chief, one must always keep the people at heart, serve the people wholeheartedly and foster a correct understanding of what it means to perform well, the article underscored.It also noted that a good county-level Party chief must shoulder the responsibilities with full dedication and actively work out concrete solutions to tackle tough challenges.Furthermore, the article highlighted that a good county-level Party chief must strictly uphold disciplinary rules, exercise power in a just, law-based and honest way, set an example in studying, respecting, abiding by and applying the law, and be adept at advancing county governance under the rule of law.excel /ɪkˈsel/出色履职，擅长，做出优异成绩flagship /ˈflæɡʃɪp/旗舰的，核心（刊物）seminar /ˈsemɪnɑː(r)/研修班，专题座谈会exemplary /ɪɡˈzempləri/模范的，典范的criterion /kraɪˈtɪəriən/标准，评判准则disciplinary /ˈdɪsəplɪnəri/纪律的，惩戒的

The Communist Party of China has honored its outstanding members on the occasion of its 105th anniversary, with General Secretary Xi Jinping of the CPC Central Committee conferring the July 1st Medals, the Party's highest honors (01:04). Hong Kong has marked the 29th anniversary of its return to the motherland, holding a flag-raising ceremony and a gala (15:59). Indirect talks between Iran and the US have resumed in Doha, with Qatar and Pakistan serving as mediators (22:05).

All members of the Communist Party of China should stay firm in convictions, and forge ahead with continuous efforts to realize the Party's missions in the new era and on the new journey, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, said on Wednesday.Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when addressing a gathering celebrating the 105th founding anniversary of the CPC in Beijing.The whole Party must adhere to the basic theory, basic line, and basic policy of the Party, Xi said.The whole Party must always rely on the people to create great historical feat, Xi stressed.The whole Party must actively respond to risks and challenges on the path forward, Xi noted.The whole Party must continuously promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, Xi said.The whole Party must advance full and rigorous Party self-governance with sustained efforts, Xi emphasized.

The Communist Party of China has reached a membership of nearly 101.29 million as of the end of 2025, marking an increase of over 1.01 million members from the previous year, according to a report released on Tuesday.The report, issued by the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, came just a day before the Party's 105th anniversary, highlighting a steady growth in membership and ongoing optimization of its personnel structure.In 2025 alone, more than 2.08 million individuals joined the Party. Notably, over 1.07 million of these new members were actively engaged in frontline production and work, comprising 51.4 percent of the new recruits.The report further indicates that 84 percent of the new members were aged 35 or younger, and nearly 55 percent had an educational background of junior college level or higher.These new members represent a diverse array of backgrounds, including government agencies, universities, rural areas, and businesses. For instance, the report notes that 822,000 new members were students, while 337,000 were involved in sectors such as agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries.Additionally, in the past year, 971,000 of the newly admitted Party members were women, making up 46.5 percent; and 213,000 were from ethnic minority groups, accounting for 10.2 percent.The report also highlights the expansion of the CPC's grassroots presence, with over 5.43 million primary-level organizations by the end of 2025. This marks an increase of 181,000, or 3.4 percent, from the end of 2024. These organizations now encompass nearly all subdistricts, townships, communities, and villages across China, playing a pivotal role in government departments, businesses, and social institutions.Moreover, the report reveals that in 2025, a total of 108,000 primary-level Party organizations, 583,000 Party members, and 165,000 Party officials were recognized and rewarded for their exemplary performance. This recognition underscores the Party's commitment to encouraging and acknowledging outstanding contributions within its ranks.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping has urged incessant efforts in regularizing coordinated regional development to secure solid progress in advancing common prosperity for all.Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in recent instructions on steadily advancing the cooperation between China's eastern and western regions. He highlighted the east-west cooperation program's significant role in supporting poverty alleviation efforts and promoting balanced regional development over the past 30 years since its initiation, which has demonstrated the political strengths of the Party, as well as the superiority of China's socialist system.Xi highlighted this year as the opening year of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, as well as the first year of the regular assistance efforts in the country's rural revitalization drive. He also called for efforts to summarize and apply the valuable experience gained from cooperation between Fujian province and Ningxia Hui autonomous region, further improve cooperation mechanisms, optimize cooperation methods, and expand the scopes of cooperation. The endeavors are expected to promote industrial complementarity, personnel exchanges, and mutual learning of technologies, ideas, and work styles between the eastern and western regions, and to achieve mutual benefits, win-win outcomes, and common development.Party committees and governments at all levels should earnestly fulfill their responsibilities for regularized assistance for western regions, firmly secure the bottom line to prevent any large-scale relapse into poverty or new cases of poverty, steadily advance rural revitalization across the board, and continuously enhance coordinated regional development, so as to make solid progress toward common prosperity for all.The important instructions of Xi were conveyed at a national work conference on east-west regional cooperation, which opened on June 17 in Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia. Liu Guozhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice premier of the State Council, delivered a speech at the meeting. Liu emphasized that General Secretary Xi's important instructions are strategically insightful, profound and incisive, demonstrating strong political, ideological and guiding significance. They provide fundamental guidance for carrying out regularized east-west cooperation, and must be thoroughly studied, fully understood and resolutely implemented.Liu underscored the need to consistently uphold the political responsibility, firmly establish and practice a correct understanding of governance performance, and draw upon the successful experience from Fujian-Ningxia cooperation, among others. Efforts should be intensified to deepen industrial and labor-service coordination between the eastern and western regions, strengthen the exchange of officials and professionals, expand cooperation in science and technology, finance and other fields. It is essential to carry out work creatively in light of local conditions, continuously improve the quality and effectiveness of collaboration, and promote complementary strengths, mutual empowerment and common development.The meeting also briefed participants on the progress of east-west regional cooperation. Officials from Ningxia Hui autonomous region and Fujian province respectively introduced the experience and practices in Fujian-Ningxia cooperation. Officials from Beijing and Shanghai municipalities, as well as Jiangsu, Guangdong, Sichuan and Gansu provinces also addressed the meeting.Officials from relevant provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities undertaking east-west regional cooperation tasks, as well as those from some member departments of the Central Rural Work Leading Group, attended the meeting.

General Secretary Xi Jinping of the CPC Central Committee has called on Party members to carry forward revolutionary traditions and strive for new accomplishments (01:08). The presidents of Iran and the US have digitally signed the memorandum of understanding on ending the war, which includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the extension of a ceasefire (13:01). The annual G7 summit has concluded without issuing a final communique for the second year in a row (24:22).

General Secretary Xi Jinping of the CPC Central Committee has wrapped up a two-day state visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, saying he and the DPRK leader reached consensus on developing bilateral ties in the new era (01:07). The 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the southern Philippines on Monday has killed at least 37 people and injured 500 others (09:18). The Democratic Republic of the Congo has confirmed 101 Ebola deaths and 550 cases since the start of the outbreak last month (21:35).

The key words to the success of the Chinese communist revolution are luck and violence — at least, that's according to Prof. Frank Dikötter.Continuing from our last episode on Prof. Frank Dikötter's new book, Red Dawn Over China, we trace the origin story of the Chinese Communist Party, and revisit how the CCP went from an obscure, unpopular, intellectual-led political force to take over the whole of mainland China.Prof. Dikötter is the Milias Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and chair professor of humanities at the University of Hong Kong. He is the most widely read living historian of modern China, with books translated into more than twenty languages. He is the author of The People's Trilogy, which includes Mao's Great Famine (2010), The Tragedy of Liberation (2013), and The Cultural Revolution (2016).We left off our story in 1929 last time, when the Soviet Union launched an oft-forgotten invasion into Manchuria and set the tone of Sino-Soviet relations. In this episode — which has been edited for clarity and brevity — we continue the story from 1929 to 1949, and trace the rise of the CCP through the Long March, the Yan'an period through the Sino-Japanese War, and how CCP emerged victorious in the civil war.The key words we explore are luck and violence. In other words, not your official nationalist communist history from the third “Resolution of the CPC Central Committee on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century” (emphasis added), but a history of how an incredible willingness to use force against fellow party cadres and civilians combined with extraordinary international luck. Japan, the Soviet Union, and the U.S. propelled the CCP to its self-proclaimed glorious founding of the People's Republic.Enjoy.LeoFor quick navigation to the specific sections:* The Japanese threat kept the Communists alive* Stalin, the great architect of Mao's Chinese communist revolution* How Edgar Snow put Mao on the map* The gift of Manchuria* No Stalin, no MaoBallerina - Yehezkel Raz, Artlist Original MusicPeking Hotel is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Recommended reads* Frank Dikötter, 2026, Red Dawn Over China, Bloomsbury Publishing* Frank Dikötter, 2010, Mao's Great Famine, Bloomsbury Publishing* Frank Dikötter, 2013, The Tragedy of Liberation, Bloomsbury Publishing* Frank Dikötter, 2016, The Cultural Revolution, Bloomsbury Publishing* Paul Hollander, 1981, Political Pilgrims, Oxford University Press* Edgar Snow, 1937, Red Star Over China, Random HouseAbout usThe Peking Hotel podcast and newsletter are digital publications in which Liu He interviews China specialists about their first-hand experiences and observations from decades past. The project grew out of Liu's research at Hoover Institution collecting oral history of China experts living in the U.S. Their stories are a reminder of what China used to be and what it is capable of becoming.We also have a Chinese-language Substack. We hope to publish more conversations like this one, so stay tuned!Shoutout!We would like to say thank-you to our supporters, especially to the following people who referred us to great many friends, colleagues and acquaintances:* China Books Review* Initium* Bill Bishop & Sinocism* Jordan Schneider & ChinaTalk* PC & What's Happening in China* 《人文中国》Humanities China* The Goldkorn Newsletter* 擦星星事务所* 不如读书* Matt Turpin & China Articles* Career China Newsletter* The China Week* The China-MENA NewsletterKudos to you, our network now has more awesome people like yourselves. Please keep spreading the word for us :) I appreciate it.Thanks for reading Peking Hotel! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Peking Hotel at pekinghotel.substack.com/subscribe

Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged all-out efforts to search for people who are still unaccounted for and save the injured after an explosion at a fireworks plant in Central China's Hunan province caused heavy casualties on Monday afternoon.Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made an instruction ordering strengthened risk screening and hazard control in key sectors, enhanced public safety management, and efforts to safeguard people's lives and property.The explosion occurred at around 4:40 pm at the plant in Liu yang, a county-level city under Changsha, capital city of Hunan. Twenty-six people have died as of Tuesday afternoon.Xi demanded proper handling of the aftermath and a prompt investigation into the accident, stressing that those responsible must be held accountable.Authorities across regions and departments must draw profound lessons from the accident and reinforce responsibility for workplace safety, Xi stressed.Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, urged efforts to strengthen workplace safety in key industries and sectors, and resolutely prevent the occurrence of major accidents.The Ministry of Emergency Management has dispatched a team to Liu yang to guide the rescue and relief work. Local rescue forces have rushed to the scene to treat the injured and carry out on-site response efforts, which are still underway.

The Chinese mainland released a set of measures on Sunday aimed at promoting peaceful cross-Strait relations and improving the well-being of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, as a delegation led by Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, concluded its visit to the mainland.4月12日，在中国国民党主席郑丽文率领的代表团结束大陆之行之际，大陆方面发布一系列举措，推动两岸关系和平发展、增进两岸同胞福祉。The Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee announced a package of 10 measures covering areas such as party-to-party dialogue, youth exchanges, infrastructure connectivity, cross-Strait transportation, trade facilitation and cultural cooperation. It came following a meeting on Friday between Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, and Cheng, which was the first such top-level meeting between the two political parties across the Strait in a decade.中共中央台办公布十项措施，涵盖政党对话、青年交流、基础设施联通、两岸交通、贸易便利化及文化合作等领域。此前，中共中央总书记习近平于10日会见郑丽文主席，这是两岸两党十年来首次高层会晤。At the meeting, Xi said that the goal of developing cross-Strait relations is to enable people on both sides to lead better lives.会晤中，习近平表示，发展两岸关系的目标，是要让两岸同胞过上更美好的生活。As this year marks the start of the mainland's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period, he expressed willingness to share development opportunities and achievements with Taiwan compatriots and jointly build a stronger Chinese national economy.今年是大陆“十五五”开局之年，习近平表示，我们愿同广大台湾同胞共享发展机遇和成果、共同壮大中华民族经济。Xi also said at the meeting that Taiwan's agricultural and fishery products, as well as other high-quality goods, are welcome to enter households across the mainland.习近平还指出，欢迎台湾农渔产品、优质商品进入大陆千家万户。According to the 10 initiatives announced on Sunday, the mainland proposed exploring a regularized communication mechanism between the CPC and the KMT, based on adherence to the 1992 Consensus and opposition to "Taiwan independence".根据4月12日公布的十项举措，大陆方面提议，在坚持“九二共识”、反对“台独”的共同政治基础上，探索建立国共两党常态化沟通机制。The 1992 Consensus, which embodies the one-China principle, was reached between the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait and the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation with authorization from authorities on both sides of the Strait in 1992.“九二共识”体现一个中国原则，是由中国大陆的海峡两岸关系协会与台湾地区的海峡交流基金会于1992年经两岸授权达成的。The measures also include strengthening youth exchanges through institutionalized programs and arranging annual visits by Taiwan delegations to the mainland.十项举措还包括：建立国共两党青年双向交流机制化平台，每年邀请岛内青年团组来大陆交流参访。It said efforts will focus on advancing utility links and bridge projects between Fujian province and the islands of Jinmen and Matsu. Authorities will also promote normalization of direct cross-Strait passenger air services and resume routes between Taiwan and selected mainland cities.推动福建沿海地区在条件具备情况下同金门、马祖通水、通电、通气、通桥；推动全面恢复两岸空中客运直航正常化，支持尽快恢复台湾与大陆部分城市两岸航班。The measures further aim to facilitate purchases of Taiwan agricultural and fishery products that meet relevant standards, support Taiwan businesses in accessing mainland markets, and improve conditions for Taiwan fishing vessels.此外，为符合检验检疫标准的台湾农渔产品输入大陆提供便利，支持台企开拓大陆市场，改善台湾渔船作业条件。In addition, the mainland will allow more Taiwan-produced content to be broadcast and encourage joint media production to promote the innovative development of Chinese culture.扩大台湾影视内容在大陆播出，鼓励两岸媒体合作制作，推动中华文化创新发展。The mainland will work toward resuming individual travel from Shanghai and Fujian to Taiwan, as only group tours are currently allowed for Fujian and Shanghai residents. Fujian individuals' tours to Jinmen and Matsu have also resumed since the second half of 2024.推动恢复上海市及福建省居民赴台（本岛）个人游试点（目前两地仅开放团队游），福建居民赴金门、马祖个人游已于2024年下半年恢复。Chang Jung-kung, a KMT vice-chairman and member of the delegation, said on Sunday that the policy package could be regarded as a "gift" from the mainland, delivered through Cheng, to the people of Taiwan, enhancing their well-being.中国国民党副主席、代表团成员张荣恭12日表示，这一政策礼包可视为大陆方面通过郑丽文主席送给台湾同胞的“礼物”，切实增进台湾民众福祉。He said it demonstrated goodwill and sincerity from the mainland and has brought tangible benefits to Taiwan.他表示，此举彰显大陆方面的善意与诚意，为台湾带来实实在在的利益。The measures came as Cheng's delegation concluded their six-day trip to the mainland from Tuesday to Sunday, which included stops in Jiangsu province, Shanghai and Beijing. The trip also marked the first visit to the mainland by a KMT chairperson in a decade.上述举措出台之际，郑丽文率领的代表团结束为期六天的大陆之行。代表团于7日至12日先后访问江苏、上海及北京，此次系国民党主席十年来首次访陆。The itinerary included traditional stops for KMT leaders visiting the mainland, such as the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, and the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall at Biyun Temple at Xiangshan in Beijing, where the delegation paid tribute to Sun as an important founding figure of the KMT. This year also marks the 160th anniversary of Sun's birth.行程中，代表团按惯例拜谒南京中山陵、北京香山碧云寺孙中山纪念堂，纪念这位国民党重要创始人。今年正值孙中山诞辰160周年。Meanwhile, the trip featured several visits highlighting the mainland's technological development. On Sunday, the delegation visited the Xiaomi EV Hyperfactory in Beijing, where they learned about the mainland's progress in electric vehicle research and development, marking the final stop of their mainland tour.此次访问还安排多项展现大陆科技发展的参访活动。12日，代表团参访北京小米汽车超级工厂，了解大陆电动汽车研发进展，为此次大陆之行最后一站。On Saturday, the delegation toured the Zhongguancun National Innovation Demonstration Zone Exhibition Center in Beijing's Haidian district, which showcased the latest technologies, including artificial intelligence, embodied intelligence and high-end medical devices.11日，代表团参观北京海淀区中关村国家自主创新示范区展示中心，观摩人工智能、具身智能、高端医疗器械等前沿技术成果。"I found answers for Taiwan's future here," Cheng said at the exhibition center, noting that the island's service sector and traditional manufacturing industries are facing mounting challenges.郑丽文在展示中心表示：“我在这里找到了台湾未来的答案。”她指出，台湾服务业与传统制造业正面临日益严峻的挑战。Cheng said she was impressed by the mainland's applications of AI and technological innovation across sectors, describing the trip as "highly rewarding".她对大陆人工智能应用及各领域科技创新印象深刻，称“不虚此行”。"Without political barriers across the Strait, the two sides could make significant contributions to humanity," she said, calling for strengthened cross-Strait cooperation based on each side's respective strengths.“如果两岸可以毫无政治障碍，对人类的贡献将不可限量。”郑丽文呼吁，立足各自优势，深化两岸合作。She also emphasized that efforts on both sides to address differences and reduce confrontation are ultimately aimed at improving the lives of people across the Strait.她同时强调，两岸化解分歧、减少对立，最终目的是增进两岸同胞民生福祉。Li Peng, dean of the Taiwan Research Institute at Xiamen University, said Cheng's visit once again reaffirmed that both sides of the Strait should pursue peaceful development, uphold the 1992 Consensus, oppose "Taiwan independence", and work to improve the well-being of people on both sides.厦门大学台湾研究院院长李鹏表示，郑丽文此行再次表明，两岸应坚持和平发展、坚持“九二共识”、反对“台独”，共同增进同胞福祉。He noted that mainstream public opinion in Taiwan supports the resumption and expansion of cross-Strait people-to-people exchanges, with many hoping to share the benefits of mainland development.他指出，台湾主流民意支持恢复并扩大两岸民间交流，众多民众期盼共享大陆发展红利。"Cheng's trip has also achieved these objectives," Li said, adding that the policy package released by the mainland represents tangible benefits for Taiwan compatriots and constitutes an important outcome of her visit to the mainland.“郑丽文此行达成上述目标。”李鹏说，大陆方面出台的政策礼包为台湾同胞带来实实在在的好处，是此次访陆之行的重要成果。resume routes/ /rɪˈzuːm ruːts/恢复航线tangible benefits/ /ˈtændʒəbl ˈbenɪfɪts/实际利益itinerary/ /aɪˈtɪnərəri/行程安排pay tribute to/ /peɪ ˈtrɪbjuːt tuː/致敬strengthen cross-Strait cooperation/ /ˈstreŋθən krɒs streɪt kəʊˌɒpəˈreɪʃn/加强两岸合作

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said on Friday that regardless of how the international landscape or the situation across the Taiwan Strait evolves, the overarching trend toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the prevailing momentum for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait to come closer together will not change.He made the remarks on Friday during a meeting in Beijing with Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Chinese Kuomintang party. This was the first meeting between the leaders of the CPC and the KMT since 2016, when Xi met in Beijing with then KMT chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu.Cheng is leading a KMT delegation on a six-day visit to the Chinese mainland at the invitation of Xi and the CPC Central Committee. Since arriving on Tuesday, the delegation has visited Jiangsu province and Shanghai, before traveling to Beijing.Welcoming the delegation, Xi said the meeting is of great significance for the development of relations between the two parties and across the Taiwan Strait.He said that people on both sides of the Strait hope for peace and tranquility, improved cross-Strait relations, and better lives. "This is a responsibility that the CPC and the KMT cannot shirk, and also a driving force for the two parties to work together," he said.Xi expressed the willingness to work with all political parties in Taiwan, including the KMT, as well as groups and people from all sectors, to strengthen exchanges and dialogue, promote peace across the Taiwan Strait, improve the well-being of the people and advance national rejuvenation, on the basis of the common political foundation of adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence".In a four-point proposal on the development of cross-Strait relations, Xi called for forging closer bonds across the Strait by upholding a correct understanding of identity.Highlighting that people on both sides of the Strait share common roots, culture and lineage, Xi said that as members of one family, as long as people communicate sincerely and consult one another when issues arise, there will be no differences or disputes that cannot be resolved."Differences in social systems should not be an excuse for secession," he stressed.Xi called for safeguarding their shared homeland through peaceful development, noting that the core issue for safeguarding the shared homeland lies in recognizing that both sides of the Strait belong to one China."We welcome any proposals conducive to the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and will spare no effort to advance any endeavors that promote such development," Xi said, adding that "Taiwan independence" is the chief culprit undermining peace across the Taiwan Strait. "We should neither condone nor tolerate it."Xi emphasized the importance of enhancing people's well-being through greater exchanges and integration, saying that the goal of developing cross-Strait relations is to enable people on both sides to lead better lives.Noting that the mainland boasts magnificent landscapes and a vast market, Xi said that Taiwan compatriots are welcome to visit the mainland, and he encouraged young people in Taiwan to seek development opportunities on the mainland. He added that Taiwan's agricultural and fishery products, as well as other quality goods, are welcome to enter households across the mainland.Xi called for joint efforts to achieve national rejuvenation. "We firmly believe that more and more Taiwan compatriots will gain a correct understanding of the mainland's social system and development path," he said."They will recognize that Taiwan's development prospects hinge on a strong motherland, and that the interests and well-being of Taiwan compatriots are closely linked to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," he added.As this year marks the opening year of the mainland's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period, Xi expressed willingness to share development opportunities and benefits with Taiwan compatriots and jointly strengthen the Chinese national economy.The CPC and the KMT should consolidate political mutual trust, maintain positive interactions, unite people on both sides of the Strait, and work together to create a bright future for national reunification and national rejuvenation, he said.KMT Chairwoman Cheng said that people on both sides of the Strait are all Chinese, who share a common heritage and are nurtured by the Chinese culture, and that they should work together to advance the cause of pursuing the revitalization of China envisioned by Dr Sun Yat-sen.She said the KMT and the CPC should uphold the common political foundation of adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence", strengthen political mutual trust, and make full use of their party-to-party platform for communication across the Strait.Cheng called for greater exchanges and cooperation in areas such as people-to-people ties, grassroots engagement, the economy and trade, and culture, as well as stronger support for youth exchanges and development.She also urged the two parties to help improve people's well-being, promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, build a brighter future for the two sides, and advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, leading a delegation of the KMT, arrived in Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu province, via Shanghai on Tuesday, beginning a mainland visit that will run through Sunday.中国国民党主席郑丽文率国民党代表团于4月7日经上海抵达南京，正式开启为期一周的大陆参访行程，访问将持续至12日。The visit is considered an important part of the promotion of cross-Strait peace and dialogue.此次访问被视为推动两岸和平与对话的重要一环。Cheng and the delegation landed at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and traveled to Nanjing later in the day. Song Tao, head of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, welcomed them at the airport.郑丽文一行搭乘班机抵达上海虹桥国际机场，当日稍后转赴南京。中共中央台湾工作办公室主任宋涛在机场迎接。At the invitation of the CPC Central Committee and Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Cheng and the delegation are scheduled to visit Jiangsu, Shanghai and Beijing.应中共中央和习近平总书记邀请，郑丽文一行将先后赴江苏、上海、北京参访。The visit is the first by a KMT chairperson to the mainland in a decade. Since taking office in October, Cheng has expressed on multiple occasions her willingness to visit the mainland.这是十年来中国国民党主席首次到访大陆。郑丽文自去年10月就任国民党主席以来，已多次表达访陆意愿。Upon arriving in Nanjing, Cheng expressed her gratitude to General Secretary Xi, thanking the mainland for the warm reception. She said that the visit aimed to safeguard peace across the Taiwan Strait and improve people's well-being, and is therefore of great significance.郑丽文抵达南京后表示，感谢习近平总书记，感谢大陆方面热情接待。此访是为了维护台海和平，增进人民福祉，意义重大。She added that the KMT will continue to uphold the 1992 Consensus, oppose "Taiwan independence", and play an active role in promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.她还表示，中国国民党将坚持“九二共识”、反对“台独”，继续发挥推动两岸关系和平发展的重要作用。Song welcomed Cheng and her delegation, saying that the visit would enable them to experience firsthand the mainland's tremendous development achievements under the leadership of General Secretary Xi and the CPC, as well as the deep friendship that mainland compatriots have for their counterparts in Taiwan.宋涛对郑丽文一行表示欢迎。他说，此次访问将让代表团亲身感受到祖国大陆在习近平总书记和中国共产党领导下取得的巨大发展成就，充分感受到大陆同胞对台湾同胞的深情厚谊Song said he believes the visit would receive strong recognition and support from people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.宋涛表示，相信此次访问会得到两岸同胞的高度肯定和支持。He stressed that both sides should prioritize national interests and the well-being of compatriots, work together to promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, and strive together for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.他强调，两党要以民族利益为重、以同胞福祉为念，携手推动两岸关系和平发展，共创中华民族伟大复兴。Li Zhenguang, dean of the Taiwan Research Institute at Beijing Union University, said that the visit would demonstrate the joint efforts of the CPC and the KMT to promote peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, as well as peaceful cross-Strait development and exchanges.北京联合大学台湾研究院院长李振广表示，此次访问彰显了国共两党共同维护台海和平稳定、推动两岸和平发展与交流合作的努力。"People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait hope to ease the current tensions," Li said, adding that the visit reflects a shared aspiration for peaceful development and expanded exchanges and cooperation, both on the mainland and in Taiwan.“两岸同胞都希望缓和当前紧张局势，”李振广说，此次访问反映了两岸各界期盼和平发展、扩大交流合作的共同心声。He added that Cheng's adherence to the 1992 Consensus and her opposition to "Taiwan independence" have paved the way for high-level exchanges between the CPC and the KMT.他还表示，郑丽文坚持“九二共识”、反对“台独”，为两党高层交往铺平了道路。The KMT delegation included its three vice-chairpersons — Lee Chien-lung, Chang Jung-kung and Hsiao Hsu-tsen — as well as Lee Hong-yuan, deputy chairman of the KMT-affiliated policy think tank, and Su Chi, chairman of the KMT central advisory committee, who coined the term "1992 Consensus".国民党代表团成员包括三位副主席李乾龙、张荣恭、萧旭岑，以及国民党智库副董事长李鸿源、中央评议委员会主席苏起——“九二共识”这一概念正是由苏起提出。take office /teɪk ˈɒfɪs/就职，上任1992 Consensus /ˌnaɪnˈtiːn ˈnaɪntituː ˈkɒnsensəs/九二共识cross-Strait relations /ˌkrɒs streɪt rɪˈleɪʃnz/两岸关系mainland compatriots /ˈmeɪnlænd kəmˈpeɪtriəts/大陆同胞great rejuvenation /ɡreɪt rɪˌdʒuːvəˈneɪʃn/伟大复兴

The Communist Party of China Central Committee and general secretary Xi Jinping have invited Cheng Li-wun, chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang party, to visit the Chinese mainland next month.

The Communist Party of China Central Committee and General Secretary Xi Jinping have invited Chinese Kuomintang party chairperson Cheng Li-wun to visit the Chinese mainland in April (01:04). Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps has confirmed the death of Navy commander Alireza Tangsiri (13:32). The 6th China International Consumer Products Expo will take place from April 13th to 18th in south China's Hainan Province (36:51).

National political advisers have been urged to build consensus and pool wisdom for the country to achieve a good start for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30).全国政协委员为“十五五”开好局、起好步广泛凝心聚力，贡献智慧和力量。The fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's top political advisory body, opened on Wednesday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, raising the curtain on this year's two sessions of China's top legislative and political advisory bodies.3月4日，全国政协十四届四次会议在北京人民大会堂开幕，标志着今年两会正式拉开帷幕。President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, and other leaders attended the opening meeting, joining around 2,100 CPPCC National Committee members from across the country and various sectors.中共中央总书记、国家主席、中央军委主席习近平等党和国家领导人出席开幕会，与来自全国各界、各领域的约2100名全国政协委员共同参会。Wang Huning, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, delivered a work report on behalf of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee, saying that 2025 was a pivotal year for China's path to modernization.全国政协主席王沪宁代表政协第十四届全国委员会常务委员会作工作报告，指出2025年是中国式现代化进程中具有重要意义的一年。Amid complex global and domestic challenges, China concluded the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) successfully, with strength in the economy, technology and defense reaching new heights, he said.面对错综复杂的国际形势和艰巨繁重的国内改革发展稳定任务，我国 “十四五” 圆满收官，经济实力、科技实力、国防实力迈上新台阶Over the past year, the CPPCC National Committee contributed to the country's development by organizing 98 consultative and deliberative activities. It received 5,992 proposals from members, of which 5,061 were accepted for processing and the response rate for the accepted proposals reached 99.9 percent, providing reference for the government, according to the report.一年来，全国政协共举办各类协商议政活动98场次，收到提案5992件，立案5061件，办复率99.9%，为政府决策提供了重要参考。Wang called for suggestions and deliberation during the session to be centered on the implementation of the new five-year plan.王沪宁指出，要围绕“十五五”规划实施议政建言。"We should focus on key issues in fields including economic development, scientific and technological innovation, reform and opening-up, social construction and people's livelihoods, and reflect social conditions and public opinion in a practical manner," he said.要围绕经济发展、科技创新、改革开放、社会建设、民生保障等领域重点问题，实事求是反映社情民意。Wang said the CPPCC National Committee will implement a democratic supervision work plan for the 15th Five-Year Plan period to help promote the implementation of major decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee.全国政协要实施好“十五五”时期全国政协民主监督工作计划，助推中共中央重大决策部署贯彻落实。The CPPCC National Committee will also hold activities to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the birth of Sun Yat-sen, a revered national hero and pioneer of the country's democratic revolution. It will strengthen foreign exchanges and better tell the stories of China's democracy, he added.要办好纪念孙中山先生诞辰160周年活动。要加强政协对外友好交往，讲好中国故事、中国全过程人民民主故事。Jiang Ying, CPPCC National Committee member and chairwoman of Deloitte China, said that as the nation gets ready to start the 15th Five-Year Plan, its push for high-level opening-up and win-win cooperation shows it is committed to high-quality growth through openness.全国政协委员、德勤中国主席蒋颖表示，在"十五五"规划即将开启之际，我国持续推进高水平对外开放和互利共赢合作，彰显了以开放促高质量发展的决心。"This is good news for global businesses — giving them more confidence and new opportunities," Jiang said, adding that China's continuous progress in areas like the digital economy and green transformation is attracting more multinational enterprises to base their research and development in China."这为全球企业带来更多信心与机遇，我国在数字经济、绿色转型等领域的持续突破，正吸引越来越多跨国企业将研发中心落户中国。"She said that managing cross-border data flows has become a key issue in high-level opening-up and her proposal this year highlights the problems enterprises face in cross-border data flows, aiming at making it easier and more convenient for enterprises to comply with regulations.蒋颖指出，跨境数据流动已成为高水平对外开放的关键议题，今年她重点关注企业数据跨境流动痛点，助力提升企业合规便利化水平。Li Shufu, a CPPCC National Committee member and chairman of Geely Holding Group, identified the "new trio" — electric vehicles, lithium batteries and photovoltaics — as pivotal trends for social progress.全国政协委员、吉利控股集团董事长李书福认为，电动汽车、锂电池、光伏产品"新三样"已成为社会发展的重要趋势。While noting that the auto industry is shifting from "involution-style" competition toward sustainable growth through technology and quality, Li said that Geely is working to convert unstable wind and solar energy into stable liquid fuels for storage and transportation.当前汽车行业正从"内卷式"竞争转向依托技术与质量的可持续发展，吉利正探索将不稳定的风光资源转化为稳定的液态燃料，实现能源的跨时空存储与运输。Clarence Ling Chun-kit, a CPPCC National Committee member from Hong Kong, said that given current cross-Strait tensions, frequent communication is more important than ever and he will focus more this year on youth exchanges.来自香港的全国政协委员凌俊杰表示，面对当前两岸关系形势，加强交流沟通至关重要，今年他将重点关注两岸青年交流。Noting that cross-Strait integration in scientific areas like artificial intelligence and computing during the 15th Five-year Plan period is essential, Ling said Hong Kong serves as a "natural bridge" to help Taiwan compatriots understand the "real situation on the Chinese mainland" through shared cultural and trade ties.他强调，在"十五五"规划期间推动人工智能、算力等科技领域的两岸融合发展尤为重要，香港可发挥天然桥梁作用，通过深化文化经贸纽带，帮助台湾同胞更好了解大陆真实发展情况。cross-border data flows /ˌkrɒsˈbɔːdə ˈdeɪtə fləʊz/跨境数据流动 photovoltaics /ˌfəʊtəʊvɒlˈteɪɪks/光伏 involution /ˌɪnvəˈluːʃən/内卷

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Friday chaired a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to discuss a draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development and a draft government work report to be submitted by the State Council to the upcoming annual session of the national legislature for review.It was noted at the meeting that the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) has marked a momentous and extraordinary period in China's development.The CPC Central Committee with Xi at its core has united the entire Party and Chinese people of all ethnic groups and led them in withstanding the severe shocks from a once-in-a-century Covid-19 pandemic, responding effectively to many major risks and challenges, and securing significant new achievements in the cause of the Party and the country, according to the meeting.The meeting noted that the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) will be critical as China works to reinforce the foundations and pushes ahead on all fronts toward basically realizing socialist modernization by 2035.Under the leadership of the Party Central Committee, the scientific formulation and effective implementation of the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan will be of great significance in consolidating and building on strengths, removing development bottlenecks, and shoring up areas of weakness, the meeting said.Looking ahead to China's economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the meeting underscored the need to pursue economic development as the central task, with reform and innovation as the fundamental driving force and full and rigorous Party self-governance as the fundamental underpinning for all efforts.It also emphasized promoting higher-quality economic growth while achieving an appropriate increase in economic output, and making solid headway in promoting well-rounded personal development and common prosperity for all.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), conveyed the greetings while attending a gala held by the CMC for retired military officers of Beijing-based troops on Friday.Greeted with warm applause, Xi chatted with the veterans, inquiring about their health and living conditions. Together, they reviewed the extraordinary journey of the Party, the country and the military over the past year.The veterans vowed to rally more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and act on Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military.They pledged to gain 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 of establishing the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. They also vowed to consciously uphold Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and uphold the Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership.Moreover, the veterans pledged to implement the system of ultimate responsibility resting with the CMC chairman.The veterans vowed to contribute their part to achieving the centenary goals of the People's Liberation Army by 2027 and to advancing the modernization of national defense and the armed forces at a high standard.People's Liberation Army (PLA) /ˈpiːpəlz ˌlɪbəˈreɪʃn ˈɑːmi/中国人民解放军retired military officers /rɪˈtaɪərd ˈmɪlɪtəri ˈɒfɪsəz/军队离退休干部rally around /ˈræli əˈraʊnd/团结在……周围

For Huang Xiaozhen, the future of artificial intelligence isn't about computing power or algorithmic scale, but about something far more ordinary: the quiet click of a light switch.在黄晓真看来，人工智能的未来并不取决于算力规模或算法复杂度，而在于更为日常、甚至平凡的场景——比如轻轻按下电灯开关的那一刻。As head of business-to-business operations at MiniMax Group Inc, a rising Chinese AI unicorn, Huang sees the current wave of innovation less as a technological leap than as a transition toward being ubiquitous.作为中国新晋人工智能独角兽企业MiniMax集团的B端业务负责人，黄晓真认为，当下这股创新浪潮与其说是一场技术飞跃，不如说是一次走向“无处不在”的转变。"As the technology iterates, AI will become like water, electricity or coal — the fundamental infrastructure of our existence," Huang said. "It will be everywhere in our lives and work."黄晓真表示：“随着技术不断迭代，人工智能将像水、电、煤一样，成为支撑我们生存与发展的基础性基础设施，它将无处不在，融入我们的生活与工作之中。”The vision widely shared by AI optimists has increasingly aligned with the nation's official policy.这一在人工智能乐观主义者中广泛流行的愿景，正日益与国家层面的官方政策形成高度契合。In its recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for national economic and social development, the Communist Party of China Central Committee called for "forward-looking plans" for future industries, urging exploration of diverse technology road maps, application scenarios, business models and regulatory frameworks.在关于制定国民经济和社会发展第十五个五年规划（2026—2030年）的建议中，中共中央提出要对未来产业进行“前瞻性布局”，并鼓励探索多样化的技术路线、应用场景、商业模式和监管框架。The document explicitly listed quantum technology, biomanufacturing, hydrogen and nuclear fusion energy, brain-computer interfaces, embodied artificial intelligence and 6G mobile communications as new drivers of growth.该文件明确将量子技术、生物制造、氢能与核聚变能源、脑机接口、具身人工智能以及6G移动通信等列为新的增长动能。The confidence of China's AI practitioners received a major boost in April 2025, when President Xi Jinping visited the Shanghai Foundation Model Innovation Center, one of the country's most active AI hubs.2025年4月，习近平主席考察上海大模型创新中心——这一全国最为活跃的人工智能集聚区之一，中国人工智能从业者的信心由此大幅提振。Standing among developers and entrepreneurs, Xi, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, described artificial intelligence as "a young cause, and a cause for young people", encouraging them to align personal ambition with China's modernization drive.在开发者和创业者中间，习近平总书记将人工智能形容为“一项年轻的事业，也是一项属于年轻人的事业”，并鼓励大家将个人理想追求融入中国式现代化进程之中。According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China had more than 6,000 AI enterprises last year, while the scale of the country's core AI industry was expected to have exceeded 1.2 trillion yuan ($172.6 billion) in 2025.工业和信息化部数据显示，去年我国人工智能企业数量已超过6000家，2025年核心人工智能产业规模预计突破1.2万亿元人民币（约合1726亿美元）。The president's visit, combined with subsequent policy measures, has strengthened confidence among startups facing intense competition, according to executives working inside the ecosystem.多位业内高管表示，总书记的考察以及随后出台的一系列政策举措，显著增强了在激烈竞争环境中奋战的初创企业信心。Zhang Yun, a deputy general manager at the center, said the visit validated the pace and direction of the hub's development.该中心副总经理张云表示，此次考察充分肯定了创新中心的发展节奏和方向。"Nearly 75 percent of our workforce is under the age of 35," Zhang said. "We're seeing founders who are barely 30. As AI tools become more powerful, teams are getting smaller, younger and faster."张云说：“我们团队中近75%的员工年龄在35岁以下，一些创始人甚至刚满30岁。随着人工智能工具能力不断增强，团队正呈现出规模更小、成员更年轻、反应更迅速的趋势。”The center operates on what participants describe as a philosophy of proximity. "Upstairs and downstairs are upstream and downstream," Zhang said, referring to the close physical clustering of foundational model developers and application companies, which allows for rapid iteration and feedback.该中心运行秉持着参与者所称的“近距离协同”理念。张云解释说：“楼上楼下就是上下游”，基础模型研发团队与应用企业在物理空间上的高度集聚，使快速迭代和反馈成为可能。Yao Zhendi, CEO of Cyber Partner AI Co, said the youthfulness of the sector reflects the nature of the technological challenge itself."We're no longer doing 'one to 10' innovation, where you just improve something that already exists," Yao said.上海魂伴科技有限责任公司首席执行官姚振迪表示，该行业的年轻化正是技术挑战本身特性的体现。“我们不再是做‘一到十'的创新，只是在原有基础上改进。”他说。"We're doing 'zero to one'. There's no formula and no homework to copy. We're defining what this technology becomes."“我们做的是‘从零到一'。既没有公式可循，也没有作业可抄，而是在定义这项技术最终会成为什么。”He added that national planning documents emphasize not only AI, but the integration of embodied intelligence across industries, with a forward-looking approach to development.他补充指出，国家规划文件强调的不只是人工智能本身，还包括具身智能在各行业中的融合应用，并以前瞻性视角推动相关发展。Over the next five years, he said, AI is expected to penetrate daily life and a wide range of sectors in line with the 15th Five-Year Plan.他表示，未来五年，在“十五五”规划指引下，人工智能有望深入渗透日常生活和多个产业领域。His company is working on the convergence of the "brain", meaning large-scale models, and the "body", referring to embodied intelligence — a frontier where software meets robotics.其公司正致力于推动“脑”（即大模型）与“身体”（即具身智能）的融合，这一前沿领域正是软件与机器人技术的交汇点。Paradigm shift范式转变The national strategy outlined in the 15th Five-Year Plan proposals calls for a paradigm shift in scientific research and a focus on self-reliance in breakthroughs in chips, algorithms and data.“十五五”规划建议所勾勒的国家战略，呼吁科研范式发生转变，并将重点放在芯片、算法和数据等关键领域的自主突破上。For Wang Le, CEO of Shanghai SiliconPear Technology Co, the transformation is already playing out on factory floors and toy shelves.对上海喜梨信息科技有限公司首席执行官王乐而言，这一转型已在工厂车间和玩具货架上悄然展开。Wang's company exports to more than 30 countries and uses AI to upgrade traditional manufacturing.王乐的公司产品出口至30多个国家，并通过人工智能技术推动传统制造业升级。"We're turning toys from simple manufactured goods into high-tech consumer products," Wang said."It's no longer just about branding. It's about embedding technology to upgrade the entire supply chain, which gives Chinese products a distinct global competitive edge."王乐表示：“我们正在把玩具从简单的制造品转变为高科技消费品。这已经不只是品牌问题，而是通过技术嵌入实现整个供应链的升级，从而赋予中国产品独特的全球竞争优势。”Xi's visit to the Shanghai Foundation Model Innovation Center came after he presided over a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, highlighting the need to promote the healthy and orderly development of AI in a beneficial, safe and fair direction.习近平考察上海大模型创新中心之前，曾主持中共中央政治局集体学习，强调要推动人工智能朝着有益、安全、公平方向健康有序发展。Huang, from MiniMax, said that companies across the AI value chain are directly feeling the impact of State support. From his perspective, policies aimed at supporting models and application scenarios are accelerating innovation and technical iteration across the industry.MiniMax的黄晓真表示，人工智能产业链各环节企业正切身感受到国家支持带来的影响。在他看来，围绕模型和应用场景的政策扶持，正在加速全行业的创新和技术迭代。"It's clear that more and more enterprises, scenarios and applications are moving toward AI," Huang said. "Many new startups are designing products and use cases based entirely on current AI capabilities. This looks more like a society-wide embrace of AI, and the growth of the entire industry chain is extremely fast."他说：“可以清楚地看到，越来越多的企业、场景和应用正在向人工智能靠拢。许多新创公司完全基于现有AI能力来设计产品和应用场景，这更像是一场全社会层面的AI拥抱，整个产业链的增长速度极其迅猛。”Zhou Chen, CEO of Zhejiang Dex-Robot Intelligent Technology, said Xi has explicitly called for accelerating the application of AI in technological innovation and industrial development, a signal that Zhou sees as materially beneficial for enterprises.浙江灵巧智能科技有限公司首席执行官周晨表示，习近平明确提出要加快人工智能在科技创新和产业发展中的应用，这一信号对企业而言具有实实在在的利好意义。He pointed to concrete policy measures such as subsidized computing power and pilot programs for new models. China launched a 60 billion yuan AI industry investment fund to support the development of the whole AI industrial chain.他指出，诸如算力补贴、新模型试点项目等具体政策措施正在落地实施。同时，中国还设立了规模达600亿元人民币的人工智能产业投资基金，用于支持整个AI产业链发展。"They allow companies to be bold and try things first," Zhou said."Ultimately, it helps improve human efficiency and reduce defect rates in manufacturing."周晨表示：“这些政策让企业可以大胆探索、先行先试，最终有助于提升人效、降低制造业缺陷率。”Zhou cited incentives including free or subsidized computing resources, early access to models, and funding for major research projects as mechanisms that encourage companies to experiment.周晨列举了多项激励机制，包括免费或补贴算力资源、提前接入模型以及重大科研项目资金支持，这些都有效鼓励企业开展探索性实践。He argued that China has structural advantages in pursuing such technologies: a complete industrial supply chain, a wide range of real-world application scenarios that generate data, and growing domestic computing capacity.他认为，中国在发展相关技术方面具备结构性优势，包括完备的产业链体系、能够持续产生数据的丰富现实应用场景，以及不断提升的本土算力能力。While much of the focus remains on domestic self-reliance, officials and researchers say China's AI ambitions also have an outward-facing dimension.尽管当前重点仍放在国内自主可控上，但多位官员和研究人员指出，中国的人工智能发展目标同样具有面向国际的外向维度。International public good国际公共产品Yan Weixin, chief scientist at the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, said Xi has called for AI to be developed as an international public good that benefits humanity.上海人工智能研究院首席科学家闫维新表示，习近平提出要将人工智能打造为造福全人类的国际公共产品。Yan said China has launched initiatives related to AI reinforcement learning and sustainable development, and has begun sharing algorithms and models with partner countries, including those participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.闫维新介绍称，中国已启动多项与人工智能强化学习和可持续发展相关的倡议，并开始与包括共建“一带一路”国家在内的合作伙伴共享算法和模型。These technologies are being applied to areas such as disaster warning systems and low-carbon industrial facilities overseas, he said.他说，这些技术已在海外被应用于灾害预警系统和低碳工业设施等领域。Highlighting the link between energy and computation, he said: "AI consumes energy, and energy defines computing power. In the future, there will be deep integration between new energy and dynamic computing."他强调能源与计算之间的关联指出：“人工智能消耗能源，而能源决定算力。未来，新能源与动态计算之间将实现深度融合。”Otto Heinrich Herzog, an academician of the German National Academy of Science and Engineering and a professor at Tongji University in Shanghai, said he has been struck by the speed with which policies translate into implementation in China.德国国家科学与工程院院士、同济大学教授奥托·海因里希·赫尔佐格表示，中国政策从制定到落地实施的速度给他留下了深刻印象。"When something aligns with strategy in China, it really gets implemented," Herzog said. "That's something you don't experience in the same way in Europe."赫尔佐格说：“在中国，只要一项举措符合国家战略，就会真正被执行落实。这是在欧洲难以同样体会到的。”forward-looking /ˌfɔːwəd ˈlʊkɪŋ/前瞻性的embodied artificial intelligence /ɪmˈbɒdid ˌɑːtɪˈfɪʃəl ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒəns/具身人工智能value chain /ˈvæljuː tʃeɪn/价值链pilot program /ˈpaɪlət ˈprəʊɡræm/试点项目dynamic computing /daɪˈnæmɪk kəmˈpjuːtɪŋ/动态计算

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has called for efforts to leverage the country's comparative advantages, pursue progress while maintaining stability, and promote continuous breakthroughs in the development of industries of the future.中共中央总书记习近平强调，要充分发挥我国比较优势，在保持稳定中谋求发展，推动未来产业持续突破。Xi made the remarks on Friday while presiding over a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.习近平在周五主持中共中央政治局集体学习时作出上述讲话。He noted that cultivating and developing industries of the future is of great significance to gaining a competitive edge in science, technology and industry, as well as to seizing initiative in development. It is also crucial to the development of new quality productive forces, the construction of a modern industrial system, the improvement of the people's quality of life, and the promotion of well-rounded human development and overall social progress, he said.习近平指出，培育和发展未来产业，对于在科技产业领域赢得竞争优势、掌握发展主动权具有重大意义。这对培育高质量生产力、构建现代产业体系、提升人民生活质量、促进全面发展和全面进步也具有重要意义。Industries of the future are characterized by foresight, strategic importance and disruptive potential, requiring scientific planning and holistic coordination, Xi emphasized, calling for efforts to strengthen industrial synergy to ensure that future, emerging and traditional industries complement and reinforce one another.习近平强调，未来产业具有前瞻性、战略性和颠覆性特征，需要科学规划和统筹协调。他呼吁加强产业协同，确保未来产业、新兴产业和传统产业相互补充、相互强化。He noted that the extent of scientific and technological breakthroughs largely determines the speed, breadth and depth of the development of future industries.习近平指出，科技突破的程度在很大程度上决定了未来产业发展的速度、广度和深度。The advantages of the new system for nationwide mobilization of resources should be fully leveraged, efforts to achieve breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields should be intensified, and the strategic, forward-looking and systematic layout of basic research should be strengthened, he said, adding that the application and commercialization of sci-tech achievements should be accelerated.习近平指出，要充分发挥全国动员资源的新机制优势，加大关键领域核心技术突破力度，加强基础研究的战略性、前瞻性和系统性布局，加快科技成果应用转化和产业化进程。"We should give full play to the role of enterprises, promote the concentration of various innovation resources in enterprises, and vigorously cultivate leading technology enterprises and high-tech companies with strong core technologies and robust innovation capabilities," Xi said.习近平指出，要充分发挥企业作用，推动各类创新资源向企业集中，着力培育具有核心技术和强大创新能力的技术领军企业和高新技术企业。He emphasized the need to improve fiscal and tax policies, vigorously develop sci-tech finance, comprehensively foster, attract and utilize talent, and promote a vibrant environment that encourages innovation across society.习近平强调要完善财税政策，大力发展科技金融，全面培育、吸引和利用人才，营造全社会创新的活力环境。It is necessary to ensure development and security as well as explore scientific and effective regulatory approaches to prevent related risks, he said, calling for deepened international cooperation and the active promotion of joint development of standards, collaborative rule-making and coordinated industrial advancement.习近平表示，必须确保发展与安全并重，探索科学有效的监管方式以防范相关风险，呼吁深化国际合作，积极推动标准联合制定、规则协同制定和产业协同发展。holistic/hoʊlˈɪs.tɪk/adj.整体的，全面的synergy/ˈsɪn.ɚ.dʒi/n.协同作用，增效作用

Discipline inspection and supervision bodies are urged to advance full and rigorous Party self-governance with higher standards and more effective measures, to provide a strong guarantee for economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period, according to a key Communist Party of China leadership meeting on Thursday.据周四召开的中国共产党重要领导会议要求，纪检监察机关要以更高标准、更有力举措推进全面从严治党，为“十五五”时期（2026—2030年）经济社会发展提供坚强保障。The meeting was convened by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to discuss and plan the Party's efforts to improve conduct, build integrity and combat corruption for the next year. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting.会议由中共中央政治局召开，研究部署明年党的作风建设、廉政建设和反腐败工作。中共中央总书记习近平主持会议。The meeting acknowledged that in 2025, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi at its core, discipline inspection and supervision authorities at all levels intensified their efforts to improve conduct, build integrity and combat corruption, maintaining a tough stance against corruption.会议指出，2025年，在以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚强领导下，各级纪检监察机关持续加大作风建设、廉政建设和反腐败斗争力度，始终保持反腐高压态势。Emphasis was placed on reinforcing political oversight, thoroughly studying and implementing the guiding principles of the CPC Central Committee's eight-point decision on improving Party and government conduct, decisively fighting corruption and undesirable work styles, rectifying misconduct affecting the public, and completing inspections across all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, the meeting said, noting that new progress and results have been achieved in the high-quality development of discipline inspection and supervision work.会议强调，要强化政治监督，深入学习贯彻中央八项规定精神，坚决纠治腐败和不正之风，持续整治群众身边的不正之风和腐败问题，完成对所有省、自治区、直辖市的巡视工作。会议指出，纪检监察工作高质量发展取得新的进展和成效。Looking ahead to 2026, the meeting stressed the need for all levels of disciplinary inspection and supervision bodies to uphold stricter standards and adopt more effective measures in advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance.展望2026年，会议强调，各级纪检监察机关要坚持更严标准、采取更实举措，持续推进全面从严治党。Key tasks include deepening political oversight to ensure the fulfillment of the objectives of the 15th Five-Year Plan, and prompting leading Party officials to foster and practice a correct attitude toward performance in their work and faithfully implement major decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee, the meeting said.会议指出，重点任务包括深化政治监督，保障“十五五”规划目标任务落实，引导各级领导干部树立和践行正确政绩观，确保党中央重大决策部署不折不扣贯彻落实。The meeting emphasized the need to consolidate and expand the achievements in Party-wide education on the eight-point decision on improving conduct, intensify efforts to battle misconduct and corruption affecting the public, and restrain power in an institutional cage. It reiterated the Party's firm commitment to combating corruption, and urged integrated deterrence measures to ensure that Party officials do not have the audacity, opportunity or desire to engage in corruption.会议强调，要巩固拓展全党深入贯彻中央八项规定精神学习教育成果，持续加大整治群众身边不正之风和腐败问题力度，把权力关进制度的笼子里。会议重申了党坚定不移反腐败的决心，要求综合运用惩治震慑、制度约束和思想教育等手段，确保党员干部不敢腐、不能腐、不想腐。The meeting also called for strengthening the strict management and supervision of the disciplinary inspection forces to cultivate a capable disciplinary and supervisory team.会议还指出，要加强对纪检监察队伍的严格管理和监督，打造一支忠诚干净担当、敢于善于斗争的纪检监察铁军。Prior to the meeting, Xi presided over a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, during which reports were heard on the work of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision for 2025, as well as preparations for the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.会议召开前，习近平主持召开中共中央政治局常委会会议，听取了中央纪委国家监委2025年工作情况和二十届中央纪委五次全会筹备情况的汇报。The session is scheduled for Jan 12 to 14.会议定于1月12日至14日召开。discipline inspection and supervision/ˈdɪsɪplɪn ɪnˈspekʃən ænd ˌsuːpəˈvɪʒən/纪检监察full and rigorous Party self-governance/fʊl ænd ˈrɪɡərəs ˈpɑːti ˌself ˈɡʌvənəns/全面从严治党Party conduct/ˈpɑːti ˈkɒndʌkt/党的作风combat corruption/ˈkɒmbæt kəˈrʌpʃən/反腐败correct attitude toward performance/kəˈrekt ˈætɪtjuːd təˈwɔːdz pəˈfɔːməns/正确政绩观integrated deterrence measures/ˈɪntɪɡreɪtɪd dɪˈterəns ˈmeʒəz/一体化惩治震慑措施Standing Committee/ˈstændɪŋ kəˈmɪti/常委会

On April 13, 2018, when President Xi Jinping announced that China would support Hainan, a tropical island about the size of Taiwan province off China's southern coast, in exploring the creation of a free trade port with Chinese characteristics, the message traveled far beyond China's southern shores.2018年4月13日，习近平主席宣布，中国将支持位于中国南部沿海、面积与台湾省相当的热带岛屿海南，探索建设具有中国特色的自由贸易港。这一消息迅速传遍中国南方海岸之外。It reached Atyrau, a city on Kazakhstan's Caspian coast, where Ruslan Tulenov, then working at a local chemical company after spending more than a decade studying and living in China, followed the news closely.这一消息传到了哈萨克斯坦里海沿岸城市阿特劳。当时，在中国学习和生活十余年后、正在当地一家化工企业工作的鲁斯兰·图列诺夫，密切关注着这条新闻。The moment Xi's announcement was broadcast, Tulenov knew it was the right time for him to return to Hainan, where he had completed his undergraduate studies.习近平讲话播出的那一刻，图列诺夫便意识到，重返他完成本科学业的海南，时机已经成熟。"I was constantly observing this country — how it developed and where it was heading," Tulenov recalled. "I wanted to find my own career chance in that process."“我一直在观察这个国家——它是如何发展的，又将走向何方，”图列诺夫回忆说，“我希望在这一进程中找到属于自己的职业机会。”Speaking that day at the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the founding of Hainan province and the Hainan Special Economic Zone, Xi highlighted Hainan's special advantages, including its status as China's biggest SEZ, its unique geographic location and the best ecological environment in the country, as reasons to make it a test ground for reform and opening-up.在当天举行的海南建省办经济特区30周年庆祝大会上，习近平强调了海南的独特优势，包括其作为中国最大经济特区的地位、独特的区位条件以及全国最优的生态环境，并指出正是这些优势，使海南具备成为改革开放试验田的条件。The decision to build a pilot free trade zone and eventually a free trade port was, Xi stressed, a major move by the Communist Party of China Central Committee to signal China's resolution of further opening up and promoting economic globalization.习近平强调，建设自由贸易试验区并逐步探索建设自由贸易港，是中共中央着眼于进一步扩大对外开放、推动经济全球化作出的重大战略部署。On Thursday, the Hainan FTP will officially launch island-wide special customs operations — a move that Xi has described as a landmark step by China to unwaveringly expand high-standard opening-up and promote the development of an open world economy.周四，海南自由贸易港将正式启动全岛封关运作。习近平将这一举措称为中国坚定不移扩大高水平对外开放、推动开放型世界经济发展的标志性一步。China's plan for the island's future also opened the door for young talent like Tulenov. When the Hainan International Economic Development Bureau, established in 2019, launched a global talent recruitment campaign, he applied right away.中国对海南未来发展的系统规划，也为图列诺夫这样的青年人才打开了机遇之门。2019年成立的海南国际经济发展局启动全球人才招聘计划时，他第一时间提交了申请。The bureau is the first government agency of its kind at the provincial level dedicated to attracting global investment for the Hainan Free Trade Port.该机构是中国首个在省级层面专门负责为海南自由贸易港吸引全球投资的政府机构。After rounds of tests and interviews, the multilingual Kazakh became the bureau's first foreign employee, reflecting Hainan's growing international orientation.经过多轮考试和面试，这位精通多种语言的哈萨克斯坦人，成为该局首位外籍员工，体现出海南日益增强的国际化取向。As policies for the Hainan Free Trade Port continued to take shape, China released a master plan in June 2020 to build Hainan into a globally influential, high-level free trade port by the middle of the century.随着海南自由贸易港相关政策不断完善，中国于2020年6月发布总体方案，提出到本世纪中叶，将海南建设成为具有全球影响力的高水平自由贸易港。The document said that supporting Hainan's construction of a free trade port system with Chinese characteristics is a significant move designed, arranged and promoted by Xi.文件指出，支持海南建设具有中国特色的自由贸易港体系，是习近平亲自谋划、亲自部署、亲自推动的重大战略举措。Two years later, in 2022, Tulenov found himself standing in the audience at the Yangpu Economic Development Zone in Hainan, listening as Xi spoke about Hainan's development path.两年后的2022年，图列诺夫站在海南洋浦经济开发区的会场中，现场聆听习近平阐述海南的发展路径。The province, Xi said, had spent decades debating its industrial positioning. Now, the priorities were clear: tourism, modern services, high-tech industries, and tropical high-efficiency agriculture, he said.习近平指出，海南在产业定位问题上探索多年，如今方向已经明确，即重点发展旅游业、现代服务业、高新技术产业和热带特色高效农业。As China's only tropical province and a major maritime region, Hainan had natural advantages in developing these four industries. The four sectors already accounted for 67 percent of Hainan's GDP in 2024.作为中国唯一的热带省份和重要海洋区域，海南在发展这四大产业方面具备天然优势。到2024年，这四个产业已占海南地区生产总值的67%。During that trip, Xi also raised expectations: Hainan would become a paradigm of reform and opening-up in the new era, he said.在那次考察中，习近平还提出更高期望，指出海南要成为新时代改革开放的示范样板。At the China International Import Expo, the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference and the G20 Leaders' Summit, the Chinese president has, on many international occasions, highlighted China's efforts to develop the Hainan Free Trade Port and develop new systems for a higher-standard open economy. Xi said that all are welcome to share in the vast opportunities of the Chinese market.在中国国际进口博览会、博鳌亚洲论坛年会以及二十国集团领导人峰会等多个国际场合，习近平多次介绍海南自由贸易港建设进展和中国构建更高水平开放型经济新体制的努力，并表示欢迎各方共享中国市场的巨大机遇。In December last year and again this November, Xi returned to the province to hear detailed work reports from local officials — trips that highlighted the central leadership's close attention to the FTP's progress.去年12月以及今年11月，习近平两次赴海南听取地方工作汇报，凸显了中央对自由贸易港建设进展的高度关注。This focus is especially significant as the Hainan FTP will officially launch island-wide special customs operations on Thursday.在海南自由贸易港即将启动全岛封关运作之际，这种高度重视尤显重要。The shift will raise the share of zero-tariff goods in the Hainan FTP from 21 percent to 74 percent, while further opening sectors such as tourism, modern services and high-tech industries.封关运作后，海南自由贸易港零关税商品比例将从21%提升至74%，同时进一步扩大旅游业、现代服务业和高新技术产业等领域对外开放。"The launch of island-wide special customs operations will provide Hainan with the foundational conditions to advance opening-up across a broader scope and at a deeper level," Xi said during his trip to Hainan last month, stressing the need to free minds, advance reform and explore new ground, and promote reform and opening-up across various sectors more proactively.习近平在上月考察海南时指出，全岛封关运作将为海南在更大范围、更深层次推进对外开放提供基础条件，并强调要进一步解放思想、深化改革、勇于探索，在各领域更加主动推进改革开放。For Tulenov, each of Xi's visits carries a personal meaning. "Every time President Xi comes, we feel encouraged," he said.对图列诺夫而言，习近平每一次到访都具有特殊意义。“每次习近平主席来，我们都备受鼓舞。”他说。As the International Economic Development Bureau's global press officer, Tulenov has traveled extensively, promoting Hainan's advantages to companies and investors across the world.作为海南国际经济发展局的全球新闻官，图列诺夫走访多国，向全球企业和投资者推介海南的优势。"I always tell them that Shenzhen was where China first opened to the world. Now Hainan is the next chapter," he said. "Personally, I benchmarked the FTP against Hong Kong and Singapore. I firmly believe Hainan will become a port like those — it just takes time and steady steps."“我总是告诉他们，深圳是中国对外开放的起点，而海南正书写着新的篇章，”他说，“就我个人而言，我将海南自由贸易港对标香港和新加坡。我坚信，海南终将成为类似的国际港口，只是需要时间和稳步推进。”Thursday also marks the 47th anniversary of the third plenary session of the 11th CPC Central Committee — the milestone meeting that launched China's reform and opening-up. Observers said the latest move represents another significant step in the opening-up of the world's second-largest economy, even as unilateralism and protectionism intensify globally.周四同时也是中共十一届三中全会召开47周年纪念日。这次具有里程碑意义的会议开启了中国改革开放的历史进程。观察人士指出，在全球单边主义和保护主义加剧的背景下，海南的新举措标志着世界第二大经济体进一步扩大开放的重要一步。"The Hainan Free Trade Port occupies a uniquely prominent place in China's reform agenda," said Matteo Giovannini, an Asia-Global Fellow at the University of Hong Kong. It is one of the national strategies reaffirmed by President Xi, underscoring its role as a test ground for the next stage of high-level opening-up, he said.香港大学亚洲全球研究员马特奥·乔万尼尼表示，海南自由贸易港在中国改革议程中占据着独特而突出的地位，是习近平反复强调的国家战略之一，凸显了其作为新一轮高水平对外开放试验田的重要作用。Hainan's performance is likely to become a key reference for how China balances deeper openness with economic security amid global uncertainty, Giovannini said.乔万尼尼表示，在全球不确定性加剧的背景下，海南的发展实践有望成为中国在深化开放与维护经济安全之间寻求平衡的重要参考。"Lessons from Hainan may inform reforms in areas such as cross-border capital flows, data governance, services trade and green finance, offering models that could be scaled up elsewhere," he said. "In this sense, Hainan is not just a regional experiment, but a signal of how China sees reform evolving under more complex external conditions."他说：“海南的经验可能为跨境资本流动、数据治理、服务贸易和绿色金融等领域的改革提供借鉴，并形成可在其他地区推广的模式。从这个意义上看，海南不仅是区域性试验，更是中国在复杂外部环境下推进改革方向的重要信号。”Wang Ying, a researcher at the Academy of China Open Economy Studies at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said that the strategic emphasis placed on the Hainan FTP reflects China's confidence in its development path and commitment to globalization.对外经济贸易大学中国开放经济研究院研究员王颖表示，中央对海南自由贸易港的战略重视，体现了中国对自身发展道路的信心以及持续推进经济全球化的坚定承诺。She said that the FTP, which serves as a platform for engagement with frameworks such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement, also signals China's determination to align with top-tier international trade rules.她指出，海南自由贸易港作为对接《区域全面经济伙伴关系协定》《全面与进步跨太平洋伙伴关系协定》《数字经济伙伴关系协定》等框架的平台，也释放出中国主动对标高标准国际经贸规则的明确信号。By taking a pioneering approach, Hainan is positioned to contribute Chinese solutions to the evolution of international economic rules and help guide the development of global standards, Wang added.王颖补充说，通过先行先试，海南有望为国际经济规则演进提供“中国方案”，并在全球标准制定中发挥引导作用。Giovannini noted that Hainan is well positioned, both geographically and strategically, to become a connective node between China and Southeast Asia, with its focus on services trade, logistics, tourism, and digital and green industries closely matching ASEAN's growth priorities.乔万尼尼指出，从地理和战略层面看，海南具备成为连接中国与东南亚的重要枢纽的有利条件，其重点发展的服务贸易、物流、旅游以及数字和绿色产业，与东盟的发展重点高度契合。"If regulatory credibility and policy consistency are maintained, the FTP could evolve into a meaningful gateway for two-way flows of capital, talent and services, connecting China more deeply with ASEAN and other emerging markets," he said.他说：“如果能够保持监管可信度和政策连续性，海南自由贸易港有望发展成为资本、人才和服务双向流动的重要门户，使中国与东盟及其他新兴市场实现更深层次联通。”free trade port (FTP)自由贸易港island-wide special customs operations全岛封关运作zero-tariff goods零关税商品economic globalization经济全球化regulatory credibility监管可信度

China has been implementing targeted pro-consumption measures to spur immediate spending while advancing structural reforms to unlock sustainable consumption growth, as the country moves toward a more balanced growth model anchored by its vast domestic market, economists said.经济学家指出，中国正实施有针对性的促进消费措施以刺激即时支出，同时推进结构性改革以释放可持续消费增长潜力。随着中国朝着以广阔国内市场为支撑的更均衡增长模式迈进，这些举措将发挥关键作用。They said that a robust and expanding consumer base not only powers China's high-quality development, but also provides a stabilizing force for the global economy amid fluctuating external demand and geopolitical complexities.他们指出，庞大且不断扩大的消费群体不仅推动着中国的高质量发展，更在全球外部需求波动和地缘政治复杂化的背景下，为世界经济提供了稳定力量。At the annual Central Economic Work Conference held last week, Chinese policymakers placed "boosting domestic demand" first among eight key priorities on the economic agenda for next year.在上周召开的年度中央经济工作会议上，中国决策者将“扩大内需”列为明年经济议程八大重点任务之首。President Xi Jinping pointed out in an article published on Monday in Qiushi Journal, the flagship magazine of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, that expanding domestic demand is crucial not only for economic stability but also for economic security. It is not a temporary measure, but a strategic move, he said.习近平主席在周一发表于中共中央机关刊物《求是》杂志的文章中指出，扩大内需不仅关乎经济稳定，更关乎经济安全。他强调，这并非权宜之计，而是战略举措。Xi, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, called for accelerating efforts to address weaknesses in domestic demand, especially consumption, to make domestic demand the main driving force and stabilizing anchor for economic growth.习近平同时担任中共中央总书记，他呼吁加快解决国内需求薄弱环节，特别是消费领域的问题，使国内需求成为经济增长的主要驱动力和稳定锚。Robert Koopman, former chief economist of the World Trade Organization, said that over the next five to 10 years, "an important evolution in China's role is going to be to shift toward being a big center of demand".世界贸易组织前首席经济学家罗伯特·库普曼表示，未来五到十年间，“中国角色将发生重要演变，逐步转向成为重要的需求中心”。Analysts said that targeted measures to stimulate consumption remain necessary in the near term, as the latest data points to slowing growth of retail sales. In November, total retail sales of consumer goods, a gauge of consumption, registered a year-on-year increase of 1.3 percent, down 1.6 percentage points compared with October, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.分析师指出，鉴于最新数据显示零售额增速放缓，短期内仍需采取有针对性的措施刺激消费。国家统计局数据显示，作为消费风向标的11月社会消费品零售总额同比增长1.3%，较10月增速回落1.6个百分点。On Sunday, the Ministry of Commerce, along with the People's Bank of China, which is China's central bank, and the National Financial Regulatory Administration, jointly released a document pledging stronger financial support for consumer spending.周日，商务部联合中国人民银行（中国央行）和国家金融监督管理总局共同发布文件，承诺将加大对消费支出的金融支持力度。In the document, financial institutions were encouraged to refine their services for consumption on big-ticket goods, while for the services sector, the document emphasized innovative financial products targeting industries such as elderly care, catering, tourism and education.该文件鼓励金融机构完善针对大宗商品消费的服务，同时强调服务行业应推出创新金融产品，重点面向养老、餐饮、旅游和教育等领域。Dong Ximiao, chief researcher at Merchants Union Consumer Finance Co, said that front-loading of such support weeks before the new year is designed to secure early economic momentum and set a positive trajectory for 2026.招商银行消费金融公司首席研究员董希淼表示，在新年到来前数周提前推出此类支持措施，旨在确保经济早日获得动能，为2026年奠定积极发展轨迹。In particular, the move, launched ahead of the Spring Festival shopping season in mid-February, signaled a strategic effort to harness the year's peak consumption period, Dong added.董希淼补充道，这项举措特别选在二月中旬春节购物季前启动，标志着企业正采取战略性举措，力求把握年度消费高峰期。Analysts view the latest move as part of a calibrated "one-two punch" for consumption, pairing targeted financial support with extended trade-in programs through 2026.分析师认为，此番举措是刺激消费的精心策划的“组合拳”，将定向金融支持与延长至2026年的以旧换新计划相结合。Han Wenxiu, executive deputy director of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs, told a news conference on Saturday that China should "adapt to the evolving consumption structure by expanding the supply of high-quality goods and services, and optimize the implementation of the trade-in policies".中央财经委员会办公室副主任韩文秀周六在记者会上表示，中国应“通过扩大优质商品和服务供给适应消费结构变化，优化以旧换新政策实施”。According to data from the Ministry of Commerce, from January to November this year, trade-in programs pushed sales of related goods beyond 2.5 trillion yuan ($355 billion), benefiting more than 360 million people.据商务部数据显示，今年1至11月，以旧换新活动带动相关商品销售额突破2.5万亿元（约合3550亿美元），惠及超过3.6亿人。Wang Qing, chief macroeconomic analyst at Golden Credit Rating International, said that next year's trade-ins could incorporate a wider range of products, particularly those with artificial intelligence features. Wang suggested scaling up the annual funding pool to 500 billion yuan — an increase from this year's 300 billion yuan.金信评级首席宏观分析师王青表示，明年的以旧换新政策可能涵盖更广泛的产品，特别是具备人工智能功能的产品。王青建议将年度资金池规模扩大至5000亿元人民币——较今年的3000亿元有所增加。In late November, China unveiled a plan to improve the alignment of the supply and demand of consumer goods, highlighting the application of AI across all sectors and processes of the consumer goods industry.11月下旬，中国公布了一项优化消费品供需匹配的计划，强调人工智能技术将全面应用于消费品行业的各个领域和生产环节。"More important, the scope of support could broaden beyond durable goods to encompass a wide range of service sectors such as childhood education," Wang added.王青补充道：“更重要的是，支持范围可能从耐用品扩展到涵盖儿童教育等广泛的服务领域。”Structural reforms结构化改革Besides short-term measures, analysts emphasized that sustaining consumer strength will increasingly depend on deeper structural reforms, including raising household income, strengthening the social safety net and improving livelihoods.除短期措施外，分析师强调，维持消费韧性将日益依赖更深层次的结构性改革，包括提高居民收入、强化社会安全网以及改善民生。To this end, the tone-setting meeting last week explicitly advocated "increased incomes for urban and rural residents".为此，上周的定调会议明确倡导“提高城乡居民收入”。Wen Bin, chief economist at China Minsheng Bank, said that "the policy focus is gradually evolving from simple stimulus to bolstering both the capacity and willingness of households to spend".中国民生银行首席经济学家温彬表示：“政策重点正逐步从单纯的刺激转向增强家庭消费能力和意愿。”Wen pointed to potential measures such as adjusting personal income tax thresholds, maintaining steady growth in social welfare spending, and advancing policies that promote high-quality employment as key to enabling durable consumption growth.温彬指出了若干潜在措施，包括调整个人所得税起征点、保持社会福利支出稳定增长、推进促进高质量就业的政策，这些措施是实现消费持续增长的关键。China has also been proactively encouraging inbound consumption to enhance the resilience of its domestic market through the "Shopping in China" campaign, fueled by China's unilateral visa-free policies for various countries and a new initiative allowing eligible travelers to receive instant tax refunds.中国还通过“中国购物”活动积极鼓励入境消费，以增强国内市场的韧性。该活动得益于中国对多个国家实施的单方面免签政策，以及一项允许符合条件的旅客即时退税的新举措。

President Xi Jinping has underlined the strategic importance of intellectual and moral development for minors, and called for joint efforts to create a sound social environment conducive to the healthy growth of young people.习近平主席强调了未成年人智力与道德发展的战略重要性，呼吁各方共同努力，营造有利于青少年健康成长的良好社会环境。Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in an instruction on work to raise minors' moral standards.同时担任中共中央总书记和中央军事委员会主席习近平在关于提高未成年人道德水平工作的指示中作出上述表述。He noted that since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the CPC Central Committee has attached great importance to the intellectual and moral development of minors and implemented various measures to advance related work, achieving new progress and outcomes.习近平主席指出，自2012年党的十八大以来，党中央高度重视未成年人的思想道德发展，采取多项措施推进相关工作，取得了新的进展和成效。On the new journey, work to raise minors' moral standards should be carried out as a strategic and fundamental task, Xi said, adding that it is essential to persistently use the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to nurture and shape young minds.习近平主席指出，在新征程上，要把提高未成年人道德水平作为一项战略性、基础性工作来抓，坚持用新时代中国特色社会主义思想来塑造和塑造年轻人的思想。He called for improving the collaborative educational mechanism involving schools, families and society to guide minors in fostering lofty ideals, practicing core socialist values, and developing a good moral character and behavior in order to nurture a new generation of capable young people with an all-around moral, intellectual, physical and aesthetic grounding and a hardworking spirit, who will fully develop socialism and carry forward the socialist cause.习近平主席呼吁完善学校、家庭、社会三方协作的教育机制，引导未成年人树立崇高理想，践行社会主义核心价值观，培养良好品德和行为习惯，为培养全面发展、德智体美劳全面发展、勤奋好学的新一代青年人才奠定基础，使他们能够全面建设社会主义、继承并发扬社会主义事业。Xi urged Party committees and governments at all levels, as well as relevant departments and organizations, to work together to foster a sound social environment for the healthy growth of minors.习近平主席敦促各级党委政府以及相关部门和组织共同努力，为未成年人的健康成长营造良好的社会环境。Xi's instruction was conveyed at a symposium on work regarding the intellectual and moral development of minors, which was held in Beijing on Monday.习近平主席的指示是在周一于北京召开的未成年人思想道德发展工作座谈会上传达的。Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, attended the symposium and delivered a speech.中共中央政治局常委、中共中央书记处书记蔡奇出席座谈会并讲话。Li Shulei, head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, chaired the symposium.中共中央宣传部部长李书磊主持座谈会。

China will continue exerting a "more proactive" fiscal policy and "moderately loose" monetary policy next year, as it strives to promote "effective qualitative improvement" and "reasonable quantitative growth" in its economy, according to a key Party leadership meeting on Monday.周一召开的党内重要领导会议指出，中国明年将继续实施“更加积极”的财政政策和“适度宽松”的货币政策，着力促进经济实现“质的有效提升”和“量的合理增长”。The meeting was convened by the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee to analyze and study the country's economic work in 2026. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting.中共中央政治局召开会议，分析研究2026年全国经济工作。中共中央总书记习近平主持会议。The decision-making body of the Party emphasized that the country would adhere to the overarching principle of "seeking progress while maintaining stability", and better coordinate domestic economic work and endeavors in the international economic and trade arena, as well as development and security, according to a statement released after the meeting.根据会后发表的声明，党的决策机构强调，国家将坚持“稳中求进”的总方针，更好地统筹国内经济工作与国际经济贸易领域的工作，以及发展与安全。While noting the importance of implementing more proactive and effective macroeconomic policies, the decision-making body highlighted the need to enhance the foresight, targeting and synergy of policies.决策机构在强调实施更积极、更有效的宏观经济政策的重要性时，同时指出需要增强政策的预见性、针对性和协同性。It called for continuous efforts to expand domestic demand and optimize supply, develop new quality productive forces tailored to local conditions, advance the construction of a unified national market in greater depth, and prevent and defuse risks in key areas, the statement said.声明指出，要持续努力扩大内需、优化供给，发展适应本地条件的新质生产力，更深入地推进全国统一市场建设，并在重点领域防范化解风险。Efforts should be made to stabilize employment, enterprises, markets and expectations to maintain social harmony and stability, and ensure a good start for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period, the statement added.声明补充道，应努力稳定就业、企业、市场和预期，以维护社会和谐稳定，确保第十五个五年规划（2026-2030年）时期开局良好。It was noted at the meeting that counter-cyclical and cross-cyclical adjustments should be strengthened to effectively enhance the efficiency of macroeconomic governance.会议指出，应加强逆周期和跨周期调节，切实提升宏观经济治理效能。The meeting called for building a robust domestic market by expanding domestic demand, stepping up fostering new growth drivers by promoting innovation-driven development, enhancing the momentum and vitality of high-quality growth by deepening reform, and bolstering win-win cooperation across various fields by adhering to opening-up.会议强调，要通过扩大内需来建设强劲的国内市场，通过推动创新驱动发展来培育新的增长引擎，通过深化改革来增强高质量发展的动能和活力，并通过坚持开放来促进各领域共赢合作。The meeting also underlined the need to promote urban-rural integration and coordinated development across the regions, drive green transformation on all fronts, prioritize people's livelihoods, and bear in mind the worst-case scenarios to resolve risks in key areas in a proactive and prudent manner.会议还强调，要推进城乡融合发展和区域协调发展，全面推进绿色转型，着力改善民生，并以最坏的情况为准备，积极审慎化解重点领域的风险。During the meeting, a set of regulations on the CPC's leadership over law-based governance in all respects was reviewed.会议审议通过了《中共中央全面依法治国领导条例》。Historically, the Political Bureau's December meeting has been closely followed by the annual Central Economic Work Conference, which typically sets the tone for economic work in the year ahead.历年来，中共中央政治局12月会议之后紧接着召开的中央经济工作会议，通常为来年经济工作定下基调。China's gross domestic product grew 5.2 percent year-on-year in the first three quarters of 2025 despite rising external headwinds, and attention is now shifting to next year, the start of China's 15th Five-Year Plan period.尽管外部逆风加剧，中国2025年前三季度国内生产总值同比增长5.2%，目前关注焦点正转向明年——中国第十五个五年规划周期的开端。Ahead of Monday's Political Bureau meeting, the CPC Central Committee held a symposium with non-CPC personages on Wednesday in Beijing to solicit their opinions and suggestions on this year's economic situation and economic work for 2026.在周一政治局会议召开前夕，中共中央上周三在北京召开非党人士座谈会，听取他们对今年经济形势和2026年经济工作的意见建议。At the symposium, representatives of non-CPC personages gave their suggestions on a number of issues, including optimizing industrial layout, expanding domestic demand and high-standard opening-up, enhancing people's well-being, and boosting high-quality employment.在座谈会上，非党代表人士就优化产业布局、扩大内需和高标准开放、提升民生福祉、促进高质量就业等若干问题提出了建议。Xi presided over the symposium and delivered an important speech. He emphasized that the supporting conditions and fundamental trend for long-term economic growth in China remain unchanged.习近平主席主持座谈会并发表重要讲话。他强调，中国经济长期向好的基本面没有改变，支撑经济持续增长的条件没有改变。He called for remaining confident, leveraging China's strengths and tackling challenges, and working to consolidate and expand the positive momentum in the economic upturn in order to make a good start in implementing the 15th Five-Year Plan.习近平主席呼吁保持信心，发挥中国优势，应对挑战，努力巩固和扩大经济复苏的积极势头，为实施十五规划开好头。He said that the CPC Central Committee had implemented more proactive and effective macro policies this year, and the main goals for economic and social development are expected to be accomplished.习近平主席表示，中共中央今年实施了更积极、更有效的宏观政策，经济社会发展主要目标有望实现。Xi noted that China has effectively navigated various shocks and challenges over the past five years. As the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) is set to approach a successful conclusion, the country's strengths in the economy, science and technology, and comprehensive national strengths have been significantly enhanced, he said.习近平主席指出，过去五年，中国有效应对了各种冲击和挑战。随着“十四五”规划（2021-2025年）即将圆满收官，我国经济实力、科技实力、综合国力都得到了显著增强。Noting that non-CPC personages had carried out in-depth research on key issues arising in economic and social development and provided important references for the CPC Central Committee's scientific decision-making, Xi expressed thanks to them on behalf of the CPC Central Committee.习近平指出，非中共人士对经济社会发展中的重大问题进行了深入研究，为中共中央科学决策提供了重要参考。他代表中共中央向他们表示感谢。Xi called on them to actively contribute their wisdom and efforts to the formulation and implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan, conduct in-depth research on topics such as building a modern industrial system, developing new quality productive forces tailored to local conditions, and establishing a strong domestic market, and put forward their opinions and suggestions.习近平主席号召他们积极为制定和实施十五五规划贡献智慧和力量，深入研究建设现代工业体系、培育适应本地特点的新质生产力、壮大国内市场等课题，并提出意见和建议。

The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee has held a meeting to analyze and study the economic work of 2026. The meeting also reviewed regulations on the CPC's leadership over law-based governance.

President Xi Jinping expressed condolences on Wednesday for the victims of a major fire at a residential area in the Tai Po area of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and for the firefighter who died in the line of duty.习近平主席周三对香港特别行政区大埔区一住宅区发生重大火灾的遇难者表示哀悼，并对在执行任务中殉职的消防员表示哀悼。Xi extended his sympathies to the families of the victims and those affected by the disaster, and called for all-out efforts to put out the blaze and minimize the casualties and losses.习近平向遇难者家属和受灾群众表示慰问，要求全力以赴扑灭火灾努力把火灾伤亡损失降到最低。The huge blaze engulfed several residential buildings in a housing estate in Tai Po, New Territories, on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in significant casualties.周三下午，新界大埔一处住宅区发生大规模火灾，数栋住宅楼被大火吞噬，造成重大人员伤亡。Following the incident, Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, promptly learned of the information about the fire rescue efforts and the casualties.事发后，中共中央总书记、中央军委主席习近平第一时间获悉了火灾救援工作及人员伤亡情况。He urged the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR to support the SAR government in making every effort to put out the fire, carry out search and rescue operations, treat the injured, and provide post-disaster support.他敦促中共中央港澳工作办公室和中央人民政府驻香港特别行政区联络办公室支持特区政府全力灭火、开展搜救、救治伤员并提供灾后援助。He also demanded that relevant departments and localities provide necessary assistance to the SAR government to strive to minimize the casualties and losses.他还要求有关部门和地方向特区政府提供必要协助，努力将人员伤亡和损失降到最低。The SAR government activated its emergency rescue mechanism, and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR has established an emergency task force to maintain close communication with the SAR government and fully support the rescue efforts.香港特别行政区政府启动了紧急救援机制，中央人民政府驻香港特别行政区联络办公室已成立应急工作组，与特区政府保持密切沟通，全力支持救援工作。Rescue operations were underway.救援行动正在进行中The death toll continued to rise after the blaze broke out, with at least 13 dead and many others injured. Many residents were reported to have been trapped in their homes, with seven out of the total eight buildings on the residential estate on fire and a plume of smoke engulfing the sky and visible from far away. The fire continued to escalate into the night, with burning objects falling and explosions at the scene.火灾发生后死亡人数持续攀升，目前已造成至少13人死亡，多人受伤。据报道，许多居民被困家中，该住宅区八栋楼房中有七栋起火，浓烟滚滚笼罩天空，远方皆可望见。火势持续蔓延至深夜，现场不断有燃烧物坠落并发生爆炸。The blaze, which started at around 2:51 pm, was upgraded to a No 4 alarm at 3:34 pm, and it was further upgraded to a No 5 alarm, the second highest, at 6:22 pm.这场大火于下午2时51分左右起火，下午3时34分升级为4级警报，随后于下午6时22分进一步升级为5级警报，这是第二高警报级别。Wang Fuk Court, currently under renovation, is a housing complex of eight buildings and nearly 2,000 residential units.宏福苑目前正在进行翻新工程，该住宅区由八栋楼宇组成，共计近2000个住宅单元。Nine people were found dead at the scene and four others were later confirmed dead after being sent to hospitals. Among the dead was 37-year-old firefighter Ho Wai-ho. Six people were still in serious condition. The injured were sent to nearby hospitals for further treatment.现场发现九人死亡，另有四人送医后确认死亡。死者中包括37岁的消防员何伟豪。六人伤势危重，伤者已被送往附近医院接受进一步治疗。Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has extended his deepest condolences regarding the firefighter who lost his life while performing his duties and to the families of the deceased.香港行政长官李家超就一名消防员在执行任务时不幸殉职，向逝者家属致以最深切的哀悼。Lee said in a Facebook post that he had immediately activated an emergency monitoring and support center, received reports from the Security Bureau and the Fire Services Department, and instructed the emergency and fire departments to make every effort in firefighting and rescue work.李家超在脸书发文称，他已立即启动应急监测支援中心，接收保安局及消防处的报告，并指示应急及消防部门全力投入灭火及救援工作。The Fire Services Department of the HKSAR government sent 767 personnel to the scene.香港特别行政区政府消防处派出767名人员前往现场。The department said seven 32-story buildings, which all have bamboo scaffolding erected for renovation, were on fire. The conditions were extremely hazardous, with debris continuously falling and the number of distress calls increasing, which necessitated the escalation of the fire to a No 5 alarm, the department told media in an on-site briefing.消防部门表示，七栋32层高的建筑物正在燃烧，这些楼宇均已架设竹制脚手架进行翻修。现场情况极其危险，碎片不断坠落，求救电话数量持续增加，因此消防部门在现场简报会上向媒体通报，必须将火警级别提升至5级。The Hong Kong government has opened five temporary shelters to accommodate affected residents, and a secondary school has also been opened to house evacuated residents. Several hundred people gathered at the temporary shelters, where bread, water and biscuits were being distributed.香港政府已开设五处临时收容所安置受灾居民，并开放一所中学收容疏散居民。数百人聚集在临时收容所，现场正分发面包、饮用水和饼干。Hong Kong Special Administrative Region香港特别行政区engulfv./ɪnˈɡʌlf/包围；吞没；淹没death toll死亡人数blazev. /bleɪz/熊熊燃烧

China's sharpened focus on cultivating strategic emerging industries during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period will give fresh vitality to nurturing new quality productive forces and help the country better navigate external uncertainties while maintaining its edge amid global competition, said officials, experts and company executives.Their comments came as China plans to make more efforts to accelerate the development of emerging sectors such as new energy, new materials, aerospace and the low-altitude economy during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, according to the recently unveiled Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development.President Xi Jinping said the recommendations were initiated in line with the country's strategic development goals, recognizing the pivotal role of the next five years, and based on an in-depth analysis of both the domestic and global landscapes.Xi, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, said, "It is important that we seize this window of opportunity to consolidate and build on our strengths, remove development bottlenecks, shore up areas of weakness, seize the strategic initiative amid intense international competition, and secure major breakthroughs in strategic tasks of overall importance to Chinese modernization."The remarks were made in Xi's explanatory speech on the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, delivered at the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, which concluded in Beijing in late October.Yao Jun, head of the department of planning at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said that "President Xi's speech is grounded in reality and forward-looking, and it has pointed the way forward for us in all our endeavors".According to Yao, the achievements during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period have laid a solid foundation, and the strategic tasks proposed going forward are comprehensive and well-focused.Yao said, "We will anchor our work on developing new quality productive forces, driven by the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation."He added that the focus will be on intelligent, green and integrated development, moving manufacturing from scale expansion to value creation.Zhu Min, former deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund, said the distinctive strength of China's economy lies in its strong real economy and industrial system."As China's technological capabilities continue to grow, the key challenge — and opportunity — is to effectively integrate these advancements to cultivate new industries driven by new quality productive forces. That's central to China's future economic trajectory," he said.Zhu also said such a trend is already mirrored in China's emphasis on strategic emerging industries such as new energy and the low-altitude economy. These sectors are poised for significant growth, built upon the robust momentum of China's "three new" economies — new industries, new business forms and new models — which already contributed over 18 percent to the country's GDP as of 2024, according to the National Development and Reform Commission.Zhu Keli, founding dean of the China Institute of New Economy, said, "China's goal of nurturing these frontier sectors not only reflects confidence in our own industrial capabilities but, more critically, serves as a key measure to seize the initiative in global sci-tech industrial competition."China has been the world's largest manufacturing country in terms of output for 15 consecutive years, and it ranks first globally in the output of over 220 industrial products, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology."Boasting such a complete industrial system, China provides rich application scenarios and enormous market potential for technological innovation, as well as solid support for the development of new industries," Zhu added.According to Zhu, emerging pillar industries, represented by the low-altitude economy, are now capable of driving growth momentum and are transitioning from "isolated breakthroughs" to "industrial-chain-wide expansion".Tian Gangyin, founder, chairman and president of the Chinese unmanned aerial vehicle developer United Aircraft, said the blueprint mapped out for the 15th Five-Year Plan period is "inspiring and motivating".Industrial-level drones are finding applications in a wide range of fields, such as emergency rescue work, power line patrolling, farming, and surveillance and security operations, he added.Aerospace is another strategic industry that China values, and in which companies are moving fast. Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co, for instance, plans to double its number of launch pads from two to four, and push forward rocket-recovery technology, marking a major step in the country's bid to build a globally competitive commercial space hub in Wenchang, Hainan province.Yang Tianliang, chairman of the company, said: "By end-2026, we will have launch pads No 3 and No 4, along with a new technical area and telemetry station. Once completed, the facility will be able to handle more than 60 launches annually, with each pad supporting launch missions every 10 days, or even weekly."Meanwhile, China is making progress in the new energy industry, such as in nuclear energy.Wei Zhigang, chairman of Hainan Nuclear Power Co, said artificial intelligence computing fuels an exponential surge in demand for electricity, and it is increasingly difficult for the traditional energy supply to meet such a huge demand."Secure, affordable and low-carbon energy has become a key factor driving the high-quality development of the intelligent computing industry," Wei said.

At the recent CPC Central Committee plenum, China set the blueprint for its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), reinforcing a focus on high-quality development and technological advancement. We explore the implications for global partners, with a special look at what it means for Africa.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has emphasized that formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) is of great significance for facilitating China's sustained and sound development, and for putting the country on firmer foundations for basically achieving socialist modernization as planned.The remarks were made in Xi's explanatory speech on the recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan, delivered at the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, which concluded last week in Beijing.Both the speech and the recommendations, which were adopted at the plenum, were made public on Tuesday.In his speech, Xi said the recommendations were drafted to make systematic plans and strategic arrangements for China's economic and social development in the next five years.The recommendations were initiated in line with the country's strategic development goals, recognizing the pivotal role of the next five years, and based on an in-depth analysis of both the domestic and global landscapes, he added.He highlighted that the drafting process placed particular emphasis on staying oriented toward both goals and problems, applying systems thinking, further deepening reform comprehensively, and opening wider to the outside world."Socialist modernization can only be realized through a historical process of gradual and ongoing development. It requires the unremitting hard work of one generation after another," Xi said.He noted that the 15th Five-Year Plan period will serve as a critical stage in building on past successes to break new ground for basically achieving socialist modernization by 2035.Elaborating on important points and major measures in the recommendations, Xi pointed out that a key development objective for the 15th Five-Year Plan period is to maintain an appropriate rate of economic and social development.He also defined promoting high-quality development as the main focus in this period, stressing that the recommendations highlight the guiding role of scientific and technological innovation and make overall plans for modernizing the industrial system, boosting self-reliance and strength in science and technology, and accelerating the green transition across the board.A group was established in January for the purpose of drafting the recommendations, with Xi serving as its chief. The group convened its first plenary meeting in February, marking the official start of the drafting work.Throughout the drafting process, the CPC Central Committee followed a democratic approach and drew on a vast pool of wisdom, conducting in-depth surveys and studies, and seeking opinions from within and outside of the Party, Xi said.The CPC Central Committee organized six teams to conduct research projects in 12 provincial-level regions. In addition, 35 key research projects were assigned to Party and government bodies, and multiple symposiums were held. An online campaign was launched to gather public suggestions, receiving more than 3 million comments.During the drafting process, the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee met three times and the Political Bureau convened on two occasions to review and revise draft versions of the document, before the final draft recommendations were submitted to the plenary session for deliberation."It is fair to say that the drafting work for this document is yet another vivid example of intra-Party democracy and whole-process people's democracy in action," Xi said.Jiang Jinquan, director of the CPC Central Committee Policy Research Office, told a news conference on the outcomes of the fourth plenary session that participants of the plenum agreed that the recommendations represent another major programmatic document in the Party's history.Yan Yilong, deputy dean of the Institute for Contemporary China Studies at Tsinghua University, said the recommendations provide political guidance for formulating the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan.The drafting of the outline has officially begun and the draft outline is scheduled to be submitted to next year's two sessions for deliberation, Yan noted.Sheradil Baktygulov, director of the Institute of World Politics of Kyrgyzstan, said in a recent interview with Xinhua News Agency that China's development experience demonstrates its ability to mobilize resources effectively to achieve national goals.He expects China to become more technologically advanced, self-sufficient and confident on the global stage, with the 15th Five-Year Plan playing a critical role in advancing the second centenary goal — to build China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful by 2049.

President Xi Jinping has called for giving full play to the role of the Palace Museum and turning it into an important window for the world to better understand Chinese civilization and the Chinese nation, as he visited an exhibition marking the museum's 100th founding anniversary on Monday.Once China's imperial palace from 1420 to 1911, and also known as the Forbidden City, the Palace Museum was established in October 1925, when it opened to the public.Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, arrived at the Palace Museum in Beijing at 10 am to visit the centennial exhibition.More than 200 carefully selected exhibits, including paintings, calligraphy, jade, bronzeware, gold artifacts, porcelain and architectural components, are on display, bearing witness to the splendid history and unbroken cultural lineage of the Chinese nation.Xi listened attentively to the explanations during his visit, pausing from time to time to observe the exhibits closely and inquire about relevant details.He said that the Palace Museum embodies the cultural genes of the Chinese nation and stands as a hallmark of Chinese civilization.Protecting the Palace Museum well and giving full play to its role is a matter of national importance and a glorious mission for those who work at the museum, he said.Xi encouraged the Palace Museum, which is at a new starting point in its centennial journey, to carry forward its fine traditions, stay committed to the principle that cultural relics belong to and serve the people, and further strengthen the protection and restoration of cultural relics.He also called for efforts to enhance adaptive utilization of cultural relics, making the Palace Museum an important base for patriotic education and a key window through which the world can gain a deeper understanding of Chinese civilization and the Chinese people.Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and Li Shulei, head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, also visited the exhibition.Titled A Century of Stewardship: From the Forbidden City to the Palace Museum, the exhibition is in three parts: "A Lineage of Civilization", "A Century of Endeavor" and "Myriad Visions of Splendor". It opened on Sept 30 and will run until the year's end.centennial/senˈteniəl/adj.百年的lineage/ˈlɪniɪdʒ/n.脉络adaptive/əˈdæptɪv/adj.适应的、有适应能力的

As the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee concluded on Thursday, the curtain over China's 15th Five-Year Plan is gradually being lifted. Serving as a critical link between the past and the future, this five-year period aims to reinforce foundational strengths and advance China toward basically achieving socialist modernization by 2035. What signals did the plenary session send? What might the next five years hold for China and the world?

China is set to make the development of new quality productive forces one of the top priorities of its next five-year plan, as policymakers seek to upgrade the nation's industrial structure, spur innovation-driven growth, and reinforce confidence in the long-term outlook of the world's second-largest economy, said officials, experts and global executives.官员、专家及全球企业高管表示，中国计划将发展新质生产力列为下一个五年规划的重点任务之一，政策制定者正致力于推动产业结构升级、激发创新驱动型增长，并增强对这一世界第二大经济体长期发展前景的信心。The new blueprint will serve as a crucial bridge between the current phase of recovery and China's goal of basically achieving socialist modernization by 2035. Experts said it underscores the country's resolve to reinvigorate growth amid domestic structural pressures and rising global uncertainties, steering the economy toward new drivers such as advanced manufacturing, green transformation and digital innovation.这份新蓝图将成为当前复苏阶段与中国2035年基本实现社会主义现代化目标之间的重要桥梁。专家指出，这凸显了中国在国内结构性压力和全球不确定性上升的背景下重振增长的决心，推动经济向先进制造业、绿色转型和数字创新等新动力方向发展。Their comments came as the market is closely watching the draft proposals for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), as the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China is holding its fourth plenary session in Beijing to deliberate on the drafting of the blueprint for China's development over the next five years.他们的表态正值市场密切关注“十五五”规划草案之际，中共二十届四中全会正在北京召开，审议未来五年中国发展蓝图的编制工作。President Xi Jinping shed light on the likely key priorities in Shanghai in April as he presided over a symposium on China's economic and social development in the 15th Five-Year Plan period and delivered an important speech.4月，习近平主席在上海主持“十五五”时期经济社会发展座谈会并发表重要讲话，阐明了未来五年可能的重点任务。Xi, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, said higher strategic priority must be given to fostering new quality productive forces in line with local conditions in the next five years.作为中共中央总书记，习近平强调，未来五年必须结合地方实际，把培育新质生产力摆在更突出的战略位置。Highlighting the roles of technological innovation and the real economy, he called for efforts to transform and upgrade traditional industries, develop emerging industries, and make forward-thinking arrangements for industries of the future, in order to accelerate modernization of the industrial system.习近平主席强调科技创新和实体经济的重要作用，呼吁着力推动传统产业转型升级、发展战略性新兴产业、前瞻布局未来产业，以加快推进工业体系现代化。Robin Xing, chief China economist at Morgan Stanley, said his team believes that China will remain committed to deepening the economic transition anchored in technology and innovation to secure the supply chain and energy self-sufficiency. "We expect a tech-and supply-driven framework."摩根士丹利首席中国经济学家邢自强表示，其团队认为中国将继续致力于深化以科技和创新为核心的经济转型，保障供应链和能源自给自足，“我们预计将形成一个以科技和供应链为驱动的框架”。Zhang Ning, senior China economist at UBS Investment Bank, said China is likely to continue offering support in fundamental and frontier research, and in self-sufficiency technology bottleneck areas during the next five years.瑞银投资银行高级中国经济学家张宁指出，未来五年中国可能会继续支持基础研究和前沿研究，并在关键技术“卡脖子”领域助力自主可控。"We think fostering 'high-quality growth' will likely be the top priority over the next decade, mainly driven by innovation and total factor productivity growth," Zhang added.她补充道：“我们认为，未来十年‘高质量增长'有望成为首要任务，这一增长将主要由创新和全要素生产率提升驱动”。A meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, chaired by Xi in late September, discussed major issues related to the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan for national economic and social development.9月底，习近平主席主持召开中共中央政治局会议，研究“十五五”时期国民经济和社会发展规划编制的重大问题。The meeting stressed the need to remain committed to high-quality development, foster new quality productive forces in line with local conditions, and comprehensively deepen reform while further expanding high-level opening-up.会议强调，要坚持高质量发展，结合地方实际培育新质生产力，全面深化改革并进一步扩大高水平对外开放。Citing research topics for the next five-year plan released by the National Development and Reform Commission, the country's top economic regulator, Ye Fan, an analyst at Southwest Securities, said the scope of studies under the upcoming five-year plan has expanded significantly, with newly added topics accounting for about 50 percent of the total.西南证券分析师叶凡援引中国最高经济调控机构国家发展和改革委员会发布的“十五五”规划研究课题指出，下一个五年规划的研究范围大幅扩大，新增课题约占总数的50%。"Among them, subjects related to technological innovation and industrial development increased by 80 percent and 64 percent, respectively," Ye noted. "The topics cover key areas such as global technological and industrial transformation, talent development and innovation capacity building. In terms of industrial priorities, the focus is placed on key areas including the digital economy, artificial intelligence, services and healthcare."其中，科技创新和产业发展相关课题占比分别提升80%和64%，涵盖全球科技产业变革、人才培养、创新能力建设等关键领域；产业重点则聚焦数字经济、人工智能、服务业、医疗健康等方向。According to Ye, policymakers will place greater emphasis on development quality, efficiency and sustainability in the next five years. "It will drive industrial upgrading through technological innovation, deepen the integration of the digital and real economies, and promote a comprehensive green transformation of China's economy and society."叶凡表示，未来五年政策制定者将更注重发展质量、效率和可持续性，通过科技创新推动产业升级，深化数字经济与实体经济融合，促进中国经济社会全面绿色转型。In March 2024, Zheng Shanjie, head of the NDRC, told a symposium that the planning of the 15th Five-Year Plan will fully take into account the practical requirements for developing new quality productive forces.2024年3月，国家发展和改革委员会（NDRC）主任郑栅洁在一场座谈会上表示，“十五五”规划编制将充分考虑发展新质生产力的实际需求。He said policymakers will focus on identifying key tasks and foundational projects to promote the growth of new quality productive forces as they set major goals, strategic missions, reform measures, and large-scale projects for the next stage of China's economic and social development.他指出，政策制定者在确定下一阶段中国经济社会发展的主要目标、战略任务、改革举措和重大项目时，将重点明确推动新质生产力发展的关键任务和基础性项目。Hu Yuwei, chief policy analyst at China Securities, said the next five-year blueprint will place greater emphasis on innovation-driven growth, green and low-carbon development, and digital transformation to adapt to the trends of globalization and informatization.中国证券首席政策分析师胡玉玮表示，下一个五年规划蓝图将更加强调创新驱动增长、绿色低碳发展和数字化转型，以适应全球化和信息化趋势。China's innovation capacity has risen rapidly over the past few years. According to the "Global Innovation Index 2025" report released by the World Intellectual Property Organization, China has risen to 10th place in the global innovation ranking for 2025, up one spot from last year, marking its first entry into the top 10.过去几年，中国创新能力快速提升。根据世界知识产权组织发布的《2025年全球创新指数》报告，中国2025年全球创新排名升至第10位，较上年提升1位，首次进入前十。However, Hu cautioned that challenges remain. "Our basic research remains relatively weak, with insufficient concentration of scientific resources and a lack of systematic advantage in original innovation."不过，胡玉玮也提醒，挑战依然存在。“我国基础研究相对薄弱，科技资源集中度不足，原始创新缺乏系统性优势。”Hu suggested that during the next five years, China should strengthen its national strategic science and technology capacity, enhance self-reliance in core technologies, and promote advanced, smart and green manufacturing.胡玉玮建议，未来五年，中国应强化国家战略科技力量，提升核心技术自主可控能力，推动先进制造、智能制造和绿色制造发展。Global executives hailed China's ongoing efforts to foster new quality productive forces, saying that multinational corporations will see rising opportunities in the next few years.全球企业高管对中国培育新质生产力的持续努力表示赞赏，认为跨国公司未来几年将迎来更多机遇。"I don't see China only as just the market. I think China has probably become an engine for some specific innovations, which we can develop elsewhere," said Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia, a French transnational group focusing on ecological environment and resource management.法国生态环境与资源管理跨国集团威立雅首席执行官埃斯特尔・布拉希利亚诺夫（音译）表示：“我不认为中国只是一个市场，我认为中国很可能已成为某些特定创新的引擎，这些创新成果也可应用到其他地区。”Brachlianoff said she is confident that China's upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan will keep green development high on the agenda, creating more opportunities for Veolia in areas such as decarbonization and ecological restoration.布拉希利亚诺夫称，她相信中国即将出台的“十五五”规划将继续把绿色发展置于重要议程，为威立雅在脱碳、生态修复等领域创造更多机会。Marc Horn, president of Merck China, said China is an important source of innovation. "We are very confident in staying the course and remaining committed to our investments (here in China)."默克集团中国区总裁何慕麒表示，中国是重要的创新源泉。“我们对在中国的发展道路充满信心，并将继续坚定投入。”underscore/ˌʌndəˈskɔː(r)/v.强调；凸显bottleneck/ˈbɒtlnek/n.瓶颈；障碍reinforce/ˌriːɪnˈfɔːs/v.增强；巩固deliberate/dɪˈlɪbəreɪt/v.审议；仔细考虑

China is likely to press ahead with expanding the global use of the yuan in a gradual and prudent manner during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), while continuing to foster a sound environment for using and holding the Chinese currency, officials and experts said.官员及专家表示，“十四五”规划期间（2026-2030年），中国或将以循序渐进、审慎稳妥的方式推进人民币国际化进程，同时持续营造有利于人民币使用与持有良好环境。As the dollar-centered international monetary system appears increasingly fragile, efforts to raise the yuan's global profile are seen as essential not only for safeguarding China's financial security but also for enhancing the resilience of the global monetary framework, they said.他们指出，随着以美元为核心的国际货币体系脆弱性日益凸显，提升人民币国际地位不仅对维护中国金融安全至关重要，也有助于增强全球货币体系的韧性。Future reforms, they added, should focus on broadening capital market access for global investors with a more integrated framework, deepening capital account liberalization under prudent oversight, and enhancing exchange rate flexibility to support the stable, long-term internationalization of the yuan, or the renminbi.专家补充称，未来改革应聚焦三大方向：通过更完善的一体化框架拓宽全球投资者进入中国资本市场的渠道、在审慎监管下深化资本账户开放、增强汇率弹性，以此支撑人民币长期稳定的国际化进程（人民币又称“Renminbi”）。The People's Bank of China, the country's central bank, said that China will continue to improve the environment for both domestic and overseas entities holding and using the yuan, as the cross-border use of the renminbi is a natural process.中国人民银行（中国央行）表示，跨境人民币使用是自然发展过程，中国将持续优化境内外主体持有和使用人民币的环境。"As the pace of diversification in the international monetary system accelerates, business entities are showing a stronger endogenous demand for using the yuan," it said.央行还提到，“随着国际货币体系多元化进程加快，市场主体对使用人民币的内生需求不断增强”。Efforts will be made to integrate investment channels to attract more overseas investment in the onshore financial market, refine renminbi settlement policies for cross-border trade and investment, and encourage more qualified overseas institutions to issue panda bonds — yuan-denominated bonds sold in the onshore market by overseas entities, it added.同时将整合投资渠道以吸引更多境外资金进入在岸金融市场、完善跨境贸易和投资人民币结算政策，并鼓励更多符合条件的境外机构发行熊猫债券（即境外主体在境内市场发行的人民币计价债券）。China is likely to map out the path for expanding high-level opening-up during the ongoing fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee, where draft proposals for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for national economic and social development are being studied.中国或将在二十届四中全会期间明确高水平对外开放的推进路径，此次会议正研究制定“十四五”规划的国民经济和社会发展草案建议。President Xi Jinping highlighted the Chinese currency's heft as a core element of the country's financial strength in early 2024. Later last year, the resolution adopted at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee stressed that the country should steadily and prudently advance the internationalization of the yuan while promoting high-standard opening-up of the financial sector.2024年初，习近平主席强调人民币地位是中国金融实力的核心组成部分；去年下半年，二十届三中全会通过的决议明确提出，中国应在推进金融业高水平开放的同时，稳步审慎推进人民币国际化。Experts said the fourth plenary session may reaffirm the steady and prudent advancement of renminbi internationalization as one of the key tasks during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.专家认为，四中全会可能会重申“稳步审慎推进人民币国际化”是“十四五”期间的重点任务之一。Guan Tao, global chief economist at investment bank BOCI China, said, "China needs to advance the gradual opening of the capital account to further facilitate the cross-border circulation and use of the yuan."中银国际全球首席经济学家管涛表示：“中国需逐步推进资本账户开放，以进一步便利人民币跨境流通与使用”。Generally speaking, the capital account records the net flow of investment into an economy.通常而言，资本账户记录一国经济体的投资净流入情况。Guan added that future opening steps are likely to follow a cautious and gradual approach, reflecting China's long-standing principle of moving forward step by step to ensure both safety and progress.管涛补充称，未来开放举措可能会延续“谨慎渐进”的思路，这体现了中国“稳中求进、确保安全”的长期原则。Marshall Mills, the International Monetary Fund's senior resident representative in China, said, "As China's role in the global economy and trade continues to grow, we expect the international use of the yuan to grow."国际货币基金组织（IMF）中国高级驻地代表马歇尔・米尔斯表示：“随着中国在全球经济和贸易中的作用持续提升，我们预计人民币的国际使用将不断增加”。Mills emphasized that the yuan's increasing use globally is a market-driven outcome.他同时强调，人民币国际使用的扩大是市场驱动的结果。Marking renminbi internationalization as a defining hallmark of China's financial opening-up, Wu Xiaoqiu, dean of the National Academy of Financial Research at Renmin University of China, said, "If a country's legal tender lacked global influence, the notion of great financial strength would be untenable."中国人民大学国家金融研究院院长吴晓球将人民币国际化视为中国金融开放的标志性事件，他指出：“若一个国家的法定货币缺乏国际影响力，那么‘金融强国'的理念便无从谈起”。Wu said that further opening the capital market is a priority for enhancing the global appeal of the renminbi. He suggested expanding treasury bond issuance — including replacing local government debt — to increase the supply of risk-free renminbi assets for global investors.吴晓球认为，进一步开放资本市场是提升人民币国际吸引力的首要任务，并建议通过扩大国债发行（包括置换地方政府债务），为全球投资者增加无风险人民币资产供给。Tian Xuan, president of Tsinghua University's National Institute of Financial Research, said that the next phase of China's capital market opening-up should focus on improving cross-border investment frameworks and expanding overseas institutions' access to onshore derivatives trading, such as futures on treasuries and stock indexes.清华大学国家金融研究院院长田轩则表示，中国资本市场下一阶段开放应重点完善跨境投资框架，并扩大境外机构参与在岸衍生品交易的范围，例如国债期货、股指期货等品种。prudent/ˈpruːdnt/adj.谨慎的；审慎的resilience/rɪˈzɪliəns/n.韧性；抗风险能力liberalization/ˌlɪbrəlaɪˈzeɪʃn/n.自由化

As China's 14th Five-Year Plan draws to a successful close, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee is underway in Beijing from October 20 to 23, a landmark meeting that will set the course for China's upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan and the nation's next phase of modernization. What new signals will this plenary send out about China's policy direction in the years ahead? And how will the 15th Five-Year Plan balance long-term strategy with short-term realities?

In 1954, one year after China initiated the inaugural Five-Year Plan (1953-57), a specialized factory for manufacturing bearings, core components of mechanical equipment, was set up in Luoyang, Henan province.1954年，即中国启动第一个五年计划（1953-1957年）后的一年，河南省洛阳市建成了一家专门生产轴承（机械设备核心零部件）的工厂。It was one of the 156 key projects launched nationwide during the period when the country was striving to build up the basic industries essential for national industrialization. These projects, spanning sectors such as steel, machinery, energy and chemical engineering, laid the foundation for China's industrialization in its early days, marking a determined stride from an agricultural society toward industrial prowess.该工厂是全国156个重点项目之一，这些项目在国家着力建设国民工业化必需的基础产业时期在全国范围内推进。这些项目涵盖钢铁、机械、能源、化工等多个领域，为中国早期工业化奠定了基础，标志着中国从农业社会向工业强国迈出了坚定步伐。Over 70 years later, Luoyang Bearing Group stands as a testament to this enduring vision, as it has evolved into an innovation-driven enterprise manufacturing over 30,000 types of high-precision bearings, vital to industries ranging from aerospace and wind power to rail transit and marine engineering.70多年后，洛阳轴承集团成为这一长远愿景的见证者——如今它已发展为一家创新驱动型企业，可生产超过3万种高精度轴承，对航空航天、风电、轨道交通、海洋工程等多个行业至关重要。During a visit to the company in May, President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, reflected on this remarkable progress, saying: "China has always adhered to the path of developing the real economy. From the past reliance on imported matches, soap and iron, to now becoming the world's largest manufacturing country with the most complete industrial categories, we have taken the right path."5月，中国共产党中央委员会总书记、中国共产党中央军事委员会主席、中华人民共和国主席、中华人民共和国中央军事委员会主席习近平在考察该企业时，回顾了这一显著发展历程，他指出：“中国始终坚持发展实体经济。从过去依赖进口火柴、肥皂、铁钉，到如今成为工业门类最齐全的世界第一制造大国，我们走对了路。”Sticking to this path, China has remained the world's largest manufacturing country for 15 consecutive years. Observers noted that this transformative journey underscores the profound efficacy of the five-year plan system as a fundamental instrument of China's governance.坚持这一道路，中国已连续15年保持世界第一制造大国地位。观察人士指出，这一变革性历程凸显了五年规划体系作为中国治理基本工具的深远效能。Five-year plans are crucial strategic documents that outline national goals, major tasks and policy directions in various sectors for each five-year period.五年规划是重要的战略文件，为每一个五年期内各领域的国家目标、重大任务和政策方向作出规划。It is an approach that experts say maintains policy continuity and stability toward established goals, and ensures the efficient and well-calibrated allocation of resources.专家表示，这一模式能够保障针对既定目标的政策连续性与稳定性，并确保资源得到高效、精准的配置。Formulating and implementing five-year plans has been a hallmark of the Communist Party of China's governance, enabling China to promote coordinated economic and social development over the medium and long terms. For China, the consistent theme from the first Five-Year Plan to the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), as President Xi pointed out, has been to build China into a modern socialist country.制定和实施五年规划是中国共产党治国理政的显著特征，助力中国推动中长期经济社会协调发展。习近平主席指出，从第一个五年计划到第十四个五年计划（2021-2025年），中国始终围绕建设社会主义现代化国家这一主题推进各项工作。For more than seven decades, a key to the enduring vitality of the five-year plan system lies in "a synergistic relationship in which the top-level design and long-term perspective of national planning effectively complement the microlevel efficiency and innovative drive of the market economy", said Yan Yilong, deputy dean of the Institute for Contemporary China Studies at Tsinghua University.清华大学当代中国研究中心副主任阎学通表示，70多年来，五年规划体系保持持久活力的关键在于“国家规划的顶层设计和长远视野，与市场经济的微观效率和创新动力形成了协同互补的关系”。"This system operates on three pillars: building consensus on national goals through political guidance and scientific planning, breaking down goals into actionable tasks with evaluation and supervision, and ensuring resource allocation to support these objectives," Yan said.他指出：“这一体系依托三大支柱运行：通过政治引领和科学规划凝聚国家目标共识、将目标分解为可执行任务并辅以评估监督、保障资源配置以支撑这些目标的实现。”The five-year plans are not merely economic plans but comprehensive national development blueprints, and the robust implementation of these blueprints is the highlight of China's governance, he added.他补充道，五年规划不仅是经济规划，更是全面的国家发展蓝图，而这些蓝图的有力实施是中国治理的突出亮点。Acknowledging the nature and significance of China's five-year plan system, The Diplomat, a Washington, DC-based foreign affairs magazine, noted that "the plans are neither rigid blueprints nor mere guidelines. Instead, they act as authoritative signals that shape the behavior of ministries, provincial governments, State-owned enterprises, private firms, and increasingly foreign investors".美国华盛顿特区的外交杂志《外交家》认可中国五年规划体系的性质与意义，指出“这些规划既非僵化的蓝图，也非单纯的指导方针，而是具有权威性的信号，能够影响各部委、省级政府、国有企业、民营企业，乃至越来越多的外国投资者的行为”。Over the decades, China's five-year plans have guided continuous progress in national development and living standards, from ensuring adequate food and clothing after completing the sixth and seventh five-year plans in the 1980s to propelling China's total economic output to become the world's second-largest in the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-10) period.数十年来，中国的五年规划引领国家发展和人民生活水平不断提升：20世纪80年代完成第六、七个五年计划后，中国解决了温饱问题；在第十一个五年计划（2006-2010年）期间，中国经济总量跃居世界第二。"Five-year plans illustrate the nation's shift from a planned economy to a socialist market economy," said Zhang Zhanbin, director of the Chinese Modernization Research Center at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee.中共中央党校（国家行政学院）中国式现代化研究中心主任张占斌表示：“五年规划见证了中国从计划经济向社会主义市场经济的转变。”He highlighted the transformative power of these plans by citing the example of the revitalization of Northeast China, comprising Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning provinces.他以中国东北地区（包括黑龙江、吉林、辽宁三省）的振兴为例，凸显了五年规划的变革力量。The region became the nation's heavy-industry heartland during the first Five-Year Plan period and was reinvigorated decades later by the 10th Five-Year Plan (2001-05), which proposed to support the adjustment and transformation of the old industrial base. Each subsequent five-year plan has included dedicated sections outlining tasks for Northeast China's revitalization.“一五”时期，东北地区成为国家重工业基地；数十年后，第十个五年计划（2001-2005年）提出支持老工业基地调整改造，为该地区注入了新活力。此后的每一个五年规划中，都设有专门章节明确东北地区振兴的任务。The 14th Five-Year Plan has initiated a more comprehensive revitalization phase for Northeast China, with a State Council-approved implementation plan outlining a clear road map for the region's future.第十四个五年计划开启了东北地区全面振兴的新阶段，国务院批复的实施方案为该地区未来发展绘制了清晰路线图。"The elevating of the strategic positioning of Northeast China in the recent five-year plans reflects the Party and the country's earnest expectations for its comprehensive revitalization in the new era," Zhang said.张占斌指出：“近年来的五年规划不断提升东北地区的战略定位，这体现了党和国家对新时代东北全面振兴的殷切期望。”关键阶段The year 2025 signifies the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan and is pivotal in shaping the subsequent five-year agenda.2025年是第十四个五年规划的收官之年，对制定后续五年规划议程具有关键意义。The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), the draft proposals of which are being discussed at the ongoing fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, is tasked with achieving "decisive progress" in basically realizing socialist modernization by 2035, said Yan.阎学通表示，正在召开的党的二十届四中全会正在讨论第十五个五年计划（2026-2030年）草案建议，该规划的任务是到2035年基本实现社会主义现代化并取得“决定性进展”。Speaking at a symposium with provincial leaders in Shanghai in April, Xi pointed out that the scientific formulation and consistent implementation of five-year plans represent an important experience of the Party in governing the country and a major political strength of socialism with Chinese characteristics.4月，习近平在上海与省级领导干部座谈时指出，科学制定和坚决实施五年规划，是党治国理政的重要经验，也是中国特色社会主义的重要政治优势。Xi, who previously led the drafting groups for both the 13th and 14th five-year plans, has consistently emphasized strategic foresight in guiding each phase of national development.习近平曾牵头第十三、十四个五年规划的编制工作，他始终强调以战略远见引领国家各阶段发展。During the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) period, he underscored that this stage was decisive for building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and highlighted the importance of leveraging strategic opportunities. For the 14th Five-Year Plan, he outlined the historic mission of advancing toward the second centenary goal and called for a profound understanding of the new stage of development, including its characteristics and requirements.在第十三个五年计划（2016-2020年）时期，他强调该阶段是全面建成小康社会的决胜阶段，并着重指出把握战略机遇的重要性；针对第十四个五年规划，他明确了向第二个百年奋斗目标迈进的历史使命，要求深刻认识新发展阶段的内涵与要求。广泛共识Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan, Xi has highlighted that the formulation and implementation of this plan has immense significance for fully realizing the strategic initiatives outlined at the 20th CPC National Congress and advancing Chinese modernization.展望第十五个五年规划，习近平强调，制定和实施这一规划，对全面落实党的二十大部署的战略任务、推进中国式现代化具有重大意义。In an instruction in May, he emphasized the importance of integrating top-level design with seeking advice from the public, enhancing research and discussions, and building broad consensus, and stressed sound, democratic and law-based decision-making to ensure that the next five-year plan is formulated with high quality.5月，习近平在一份指示中强调，要坚持顶层设计和问计于民相结合，深入开展调研论证，凝聚广泛共识，坚持科学决策、民主决策、依法决策，确保高质量编制好下一个五年规划。A key feature of the planning process has been the emphasis on public participation. From May 20 to June 20, an online campaign soliciting opinions for the 15th Five-Year Plan received over 3.11 million suggestions from the public. Xi described this as a vivid example of whole-process people's democracy and urged relevant departments to carefully study and absorb these valuable insights.公众参与是五年规划编制过程的重要特点。5月20日至6月20日，面向第十五个五年规划的网上意见征集活动收到了超过311万条公众建议。习近平称这是全过程人民民主的生动实践，并要求相关部门认真研究吸收这些宝贵意见。By integrating visionary guidance with inclusive governance, China's "target governance mechanism", exemplified by the five-year plan system, continues to be a vital tool for aligning national ambitions with the aspirations of its people, said Yan, the Tsinghua expert.阎学通表示，通过将远见引领与包容性治理相结合，以五年规划体系为代表的中国“目标治理机制”，仍是统筹国家愿景与人民期盼的重要工具。As China navigates a complex landscape of technological acceleration, economic transformation and strategic competition, the next five-year plan represents a critical step toward securing sustainable and high-quality development, he added.他补充道，在当前技术加速迭代、经济转型升级、国际竞争加剧的复杂形势下，下一个五年规划将是中国实现可持续高质量发展的关键一步。20th CPC Central Committee membersn.中共二十届中央委员会委员/ˈtwentiəθ ˌsiː piː ˈsiː ˈsentrəl kəˈmɪti ˈmembəz/15th Five-Year Plan researchers/expertsn.“十五五”规划研究者/专家/ˌfɪfˈtiːnθ ˈfaɪv jɪə plæn rɪˈsɜːtʃəz/ /ˈekspɜːts/

The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has started its fourth plenary session in Beijing. General Secretary Xi Jinping of the CPC Central Committee delivered a work report.

APAC stocks were higher amid tailwinds from recent trade-related rhetoric, including US President Trump's comments on Friday that 100% tariffs are not sustainable and that he will be meeting with Chinese President Xi.Nikkei 225 surged to a fresh all-time high above the 49,000 level amid a reignition of the Takaichi trade with the LDP leader on track to become Japan's first female PM following an agreement to form a coalition with Japan's Innovation Party.In China, PBoC maintained LPRs as expected, whilst Chinese GDP, Industrial Production and Retail Sales either matched or topped forecasts, and the CPC Central Committee is also holding a four-day closed-door meeting through to Thursday.US President Trump said on Friday that they are getting along with China, and it looks like the meeting with China will go forward, while he could move the November 1st deadline up if he wanted. Trump added that they will make a deal that will be good for both countries and thinks they will be in a strong position in trade talks with China.Israel's Channel 12 reported that Israel was attacking Gaza, while the Israeli military said Hamas carried out multiple attacks against Israeli forces beyond the ‘yellow line', violating the ceasefire; both sides later said they will adhere to the ceasefire once again.S&P lowered France to 'A+' from 'AA-'; Outlook Stable, while it cited heightened risks to budgetary consolidation; European equity futures indicate a positive cash market open with Euro Stoxx 50 futures up 0.8% after the cash market finished with losses of 0.8% on Friday.Looking ahead, highlights include German Producer Prices (Sep), Canadian Producer Prices (Sep), US Leading Index (Sep), New Zealand Trade (Sep), CCP 4th Plenum (20th-23rd), Speakers including ECB's Schnabel & RBA's Jones, Supply from EU & Italy, Earnings from Sandvik, Zions Bancorp & Cleveland Cliffs.Read the full report covering Equities, Forex, Fixed Income, Commodites and more on Newsquawk

As the fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee is held from Monday to Thursday, the spotlight will be on how China will use the key Party meeting to set the tone for its development priorities for the next five years amid persistent economic headwinds.中共二十届四中全会于周一至周四召开，在经济持续面临压力的背景下，外界聚焦中国将如何通过此次重要党内会议，为未来五年的发展重点定调。The fourth plenary session is expected to see the leadership reviewing the proposal of the CPC Central Committee for the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, which will lay the groundwork for the country's development from 2026 to 2030.此次四中全会预计将审议《中共中央关于制定国民经济和社会发展第十五个五年规划的建议》，该建议将为中国2026至2030年的发展奠定基础。Observers said that what makes this meeting significant is not the prospect of dramatic shifts, but rather the reaffirmation of a steady and pragmatic vision that has enabled China to weather global uncertainty and maintain momentum as the world's second-largest economy.观察人士表示，此次会议的重要性不在于可能出现重大转向，而在于重申稳健务实的发展理念——正是这一理念帮助中国抵御了全球不确定性，作为世界第二大经济体保持了发展势头。Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, has chartered the course for the 15th Five-Year Plan. He has chaired a number of high-level meetings attended by senior officials to discuss key priorities for the new plan, while State media outlets have launched a national campaign to gather public input and feedback.中共中央总书记习近平为“十五五”规划指明了方向。他主持召开多次高级别会议，与高层官员共同研讨新规划的重点任务；同时，中央媒体启动全国性活动，征集公众意见与反馈。During an inspection tour to Shanghai in April, Xi presided over a symposium on China's economic and social development in the 15th Five-Year Plan period.今年4月习近平在上海考察期间，主持召开了“十五五”时期中国经济社会发展座谈会。"We must unswervingly manage our own affairs well, and stay committed to expanding high-standard opening-up," Xi told the symposium, while stressing the need to adapt to the changing global landscape and grasp strategic priorities for China's development.习近平在座谈会上表示：“我们要坚定不移办好自己的事，坚定扩大高水平对外开放。”他同时强调，要主动适应全球格局变化，把握中国发展的战略重点。"Greater emphasis should be placed on ensuring both development and security, with a comprehensive assessment of domestic and external risks and challenges," he said.他指出：“要更加注重统筹发展和安全，全面研判国内国际风险挑战。”The 15th Five-Year Plan is considered a crucial step, as China is using a three-plan period—the 14th, 15th and 16th Five-Year Plans—to "basically realize socialist modernization" by 2035.“十五五”规划被视为关键一步，因为中国正计划通过“十四五”“十五五”“十六五”三个五年规划时期，在2035年“基本实现社会主义现代化”。Experts said that during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China's development priorities are likely to be centered around enhancing its economic resilience, which will include diversifying trading partners, boosting domestic consumption and improving technology and innovation capabilities.专家表示，“十五五”时期中国的发展重点可能围绕提升经济韧性展开，具体措施包括拓展贸易伙伴多样性、扩大国内消费、提升科技创新能力。Cheng Xusen, a research fellow at Renmin University of China's National Academy of Development and Strategy, said that the development of new quality productive forces, a key driver for high-quality growth, is expected to be a priority in the 15th Five-Year Plan.中国人民大学国家发展与战略研究院研究员程秀森表示，作为高质量发展的关键驱动力，发展新质生产力有望成为“十五五”规划的重点任务。Key priorities include expanding domestic demand, boosting consumption's role in economic growth, creating high-quality jobs and increasing household incomes, Cheng said.程秀森指出，重点任务还包括扩大内需、强化消费对经济增长的拉动作用、创造高质量就业岗位、提高居民收入。In addition, China intends to deepen high-level opening-up by promoting trade facilitation and liberalization, strengthening international economic cooperation, and enhancing its position in global industrial and supply chains, he added.他补充道，此外中国还将通过推动贸易便利化与自由化、加强国际经济合作、提升在全球产业链供应链中的地位，深化高水平对外开放。Cao Heping, a professor at Peking University's School of Economics, said that technology innovation, as the main driving force of high-quality growth, is evolving from an engine that propels progress into a key force reshaping the nation's economic landscape.北京大学经济学院教授曹和平表示，科技创新作为高质量发展的主要驱动力，正从推动发展的引擎，转变为重塑中国经济格局的关键力量。During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the innovation-driven development strategy is expected to further unleash its effectiveness on a broader scale, Cao said, and the deeper integration of new energy, new materials and intelligent manufacturing is expected to forge new technological strengths and drive the next phase of industrial transformation.曹和平称，“十五五”时期，创新驱动发展战略有望在更广泛领域进一步释放效能；新能源、新材料与智能制造的深度融合，预计将打造新的技术优势，推动下一阶段产业转型。At the April symposium, Xi highlighted the strategic importance of developing new quality productive forces tailored to local conditions during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, adding that China's development will be driven by technological innovation, with the real economy being the foundation.在4月的座谈会上，习近平强调了“十五五”时期因地制宜发展新质生产力的战略意义，并指出中国发展要以科技创新为动力，以实体经济为根基。He also highlighted the importance of improving the national innovation system through stimulating the vitality of various innovation entities and zeroing in on global scientific and technological frontiers.他还强调，要通过激发各类创新主体活力、聚焦全球科技前沿，完善国家创新体系。Matteo Giovannini, a finance professional at the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and a nonresident associate fellow at the Beijing-based think tank Center for China and Globalization, said that over the past few years, China has consistently contributed around 30 percent of global economic growth, a figure unmatched by any other major economy.中国工商银行金融专业人士、北京智库全球化智库非resident副研究员马泰奥·乔瓦尼尼表示，过去几年中国对全球经济增长的贡献率始终保持在30%左右，这一比例远超其他主要经济体。"In 2024, the country's GDP grew by 5 percent year-on-year, reaffirming its role as a key stabilizer of the world economy. These achievements are not the outcome of short-term stimulus, but of structural progress guided by long-term vision," Giovannini said in an article published by the China Global Television Network.乔瓦尼尼在为中国国际电视台撰写的文章中表示：“2024年中国GDP同比增长5%，再次印证了其世界经济关键稳定器的作用。这些成就并非短期刺激政策的结果，而是长期规划引领下结构型发展的成果。”He said that as China prepares to embark on the next stage of modernization, the fourth plenary session offers an opportunity to consolidate these gains and chart the path forward.他指出，在中国准备迈入现代化建设新阶段之际，四中全会为巩固现有成果、规划未来道路提供了契机。"Ultimately, the fourth plenum embodies China's quiet confidence in its governance model. It demonstrates that reform, innovation and openness can coexist under a framework of stability and national purpose," Giovannini said. "The global environment may be fraught with sanctions, trade friction and political suspicion, but China's long-term orientation enables it to look beyond short-term turbulence."乔瓦尼尼表示：“归根结底，四中全会体现了中国对自身治理模式的从容自信。这表明在稳定与国家目标的框架下，改革、创新与开放可以并行不悖。尽管全球环境充满制裁、贸易摩擦与政治猜忌，但中国的长期导向使其能够超越短期动荡。”20th CPC Central Committee membersn.中共二十届中央委员会委员 /ˈtwentiəθ ˌsiː piː ˈsiː ˈsentrəl kəˈmɪti ˈmembəz/15th Five-Year Plan researchers/expertsn.“十五五”规划研究者/专家/ˌfɪfˈtiːnθ ˈfaɪv jɪə plæn rɪˈsɜːtʃəz/ /ˈekspɜːts/

Two years ago, Taiwan bartender Danny Hsu brought his 12 years of mixology experience from Taichung, a city in China's Taiwan region, and opened Stirred Bar in the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, a historical architectural complex in downtown Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian province.两年前，中国台湾地区台中市的调酒师许丹尼（Danny Hsu）带着12年的调酒经验，在福建省会福州市中心的历史建筑群三坊七巷开设了“Stirred Bar”酒吧。Hsu enjoys experimentally incorporating fresh fruits, tea, coffee and even unexpected ingredients like vinegar and chili into his cocktails, conveying unique tastes and his understanding of life.许丹尼喜欢在调酒中尝试加入新鲜水果、茶、咖啡，甚至醋、辣椒等非常规原料，以此传递独特的口感和他对生活的理解。His latest creation is a cocktail symbolizing the fusion of cultures across the Taiwan Strait, blending full-bodied Kaoliang liquor, a specialty from Taiwan, with the gentle aroma of Fuzhou's jasmine tea.他最新创作的一款鸡尾酒象征着两岸文化融合，将台湾特产的醇厚高粱酒与福州茉莉花茶的淡雅香气相融合。"The fiery spirit meets the sweet jasmine flowers, just like the ongoing cross-Strait integration," he said.他表示：“浓烈的酒香邂逅清甜的茉莉，就像正在推进的两岸融合发展一样。”Oct 25 marks the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's retrocession. Since its return to the motherland in 1945, cross-Strait relations have experienced twists and turns, but integrated development has always been the main historical trend.10月25日是台湾光复80周年纪念日。自1945年回归祖国以来，两岸关系虽历经波折，但融合发展始终是历史主流。Fujian and Taiwan are connected by a single body of water, and share the same ancestry, culture and customs, with about 80 percent of Taiwan's population tracing its ancestry back to Fujian. Such closeness gives the coastal province an irreplaceable role in promoting peaceful cross-Strait development and reunification.福建与台湾隔海相望、同根同源、文化相通、习俗相近，约80%的台湾民众祖籍在福建。这种特殊的亲缘联系，让福建在推动两岸和平发展、促进祖国统一进程中具有不可替代的作用。Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has made three field trips to Fujian, consistently emphasizing cross-Strait integrated development.自2012年中国共产党第十八次全国代表大会以来，中共中央总书记、国家主席、中央军委主席习近平已三次赴福建考察，始终强调推动两岸融合发展。In his latest tour to the province last year, Xi reiterated the call for Fujian to make greater progress in exploring the new path for cross-Strait integrated development.在去年最新一次福建考察中，习近平总书记再次强调，要推动福建在探索两岸融合发展新路上迈出更大步伐。Statistics showed that Fujian has become a top choice for a growing number of Taiwan businesspeople and young entrepreneurs, thanks to innovative integration policies.数据显示，得益于创新性的融合发展政策，福建已成为越来越多台商和台湾青年创业者的首选地之一。From January to August, Fujian saw 1,653 new enterprises funded by Taiwan investment, with $660 million in utilized capital from Taiwan, the highest among all mainland provinces, according to data from the provincial Taiwan affairs authority.福建省台办数据显示，今年1月至8月，福建新增台资企业1653家，实际使用台资6.6亿美元，两项数据均居大陆各省份首位。In the first eight months of this year, passenger traffic between Fujian and Taiwan surged 36.4 percent to 1.73 million trips, compared with the same period last year, while cross-Strait events saw 28,000 Taiwan participants, a 40 percent increase, data showed.数据还显示，今年前8个月，闽台旅客往来量达173万人次，同比增长36.4%；两岸各类交流活动中，台湾参与人数达2.8万人次，同比增长40%。Chen Lishuang, a deputy researcher at the Fujian Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Modern Taiwan Studies, said the province has achieved notable results in economic cooperation and social integration with Taiwan through pilot policies.福建省社会科学院现代台湾研究所副研究员陈丽霜（音译）表示，福建通过一系列试点政策，在两岸经济合作与社会融合方面取得了显著成效。While working in Fujian for about 17 years, from 1985 to 2002, Xi attached great importance to Taiwan-related work, tirelessly promoting cooperation and cultivating affection between people on both sides of the Strait, Chen said.陈丽霜指出，1985年至2002年，习近平总书记在福建工作的17年间，高度重视对台工作，不懈推动两岸合作，增进两岸同胞情谊。In 1997, a 102-day tour of Taiwan by a statue of the sea goddess Mazu saw millions pay their respects to the deity across the island, becoming the longest and most influential cross-Strait exchange at the time.1997年，海神妈祖雕像赴台巡游102天，全台数百万民众前往瞻仰，成为当时持续时间最长、影响最广的两岸交流活动。In 2001, limited direct transportation, trade and postal services began between Fujian's coast and the islands of Jinmen and Matsu, administered by Taiwan, and this was warmly received. An exchange agreement signed later that year, by representatives from the two sides, included the one-China principle for the first time, causing a stir.2001年，福建沿海与台湾地区管辖的金门、马祖地区开启局部直接通航、通贸、通邮，受到两岸民众热烈欢迎。同年晚些时候，两岸代表签署的一项交流协议首次纳入一个中国原则，引发广泛关注。"Xi made many statements regarding work related to Taiwan from the historical perspective of achieving the peaceful reunification of the motherland, along with a series of forward-looking and strategic explorations and practices while working in Fujian," Chen said.陈丽霜表示：“在福建工作期间，习近平总书记从实现祖国和平统一的历史高度，就对台工作作出许多重要论述，并开展了一系列具有前瞻性、战略性的探索与实践。”The innovative concepts and practical advancements in Taiwan-related work proposed by Xi during his tenure in Fujian constitute an important source of his later significant discourse on Taiwan affairs, she said.她指出，习近平总书记在福建工作期间提出的对台工作创新理念和实践成果，是其后来关于台湾问题重要论述的重要思想源头。In his speech on the 40th anniversary of the issuance of the Message to Compatriots in Taiwan by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, in January 2019, Xi emphasized the need to deepen integrated development between the two sides to lay a foundation for peaceful reunification.2019年1月，在全国人大常委会《告台湾同胞书》发表40周年纪念会上，习近平总书记强调，要深化两岸融合发展，为实现和平统一奠定坚实基础。"Just as loved ones wish each other well, we Chinese should help each other. We treat our compatriots in Taiwan as equals, and will continue paving the way for them to share first the mainland's development opportunities," Xi said.习近平总书记表示：“亲人之间，没有解不开的心结。两岸同胞是一家人，有困难就要互相帮助。我们始终把台湾同胞当作一家人，愿意继续率先同台湾同胞分享大陆发展机遇。”He called for enhanced connectivity in trade, infrastructure, energy and industry standards, suggesting initial projects such as supplying water, electricity and gas, and constructing sea-crossing bridges from Fujian to Jinmen and Matsu.总书记呼吁，要加强两岸贸易、基础设施、能源、产业标准等领域互联互通，提出从福建向金门、马祖供水供电供气，建设跨海大桥等先期项目。In 2023, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, China's Cabinet, announced plans to make Fujian a "demonstration zone" for the integrated development across the Strait, offering policies like infrastructure connectivity and incentives for Taiwan residents to create their careers.2023年，中共中央、国务院印发方案，决定支持福建建设海峡两岸融合发展示范区，推出基础设施互联互通、鼓励台湾同胞来闽就业创业等一系列政策举措。"Fujian's supportive policies for Taiwan compatriots have given me a real sense of belonging," said Lin Chun-ying, who operates a tea mountain company in suburban Fuzhou and exports high-mountain oolong tea to countries including the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan.在福州郊区经营茶山企业、向英国、德国、日本等国出口高山乌龙茶的林春英（音译）表示：“福建对台湾同胞的扶持政策，让我真正有了归属感。”"My father often told me when I was a child that we are Chinese, because he was born on the mainland before my grandfather took him to Taiwan," Lin said. "My father said his mission was to bring us back to our motherland."林春英说：“小时候父亲常跟我说，我们是中国人。因为父亲出生在大陆，后来爷爷才带他去了台湾。父亲说，他的心愿就是带我们回到祖国母亲的怀抱。”Back in the 1990s, Lin and her father arrived in the provincial capital to clear a barren mountain to plant tea.上世纪90年代，林春英便和父亲来到福州，开垦荒山种植茶树。"Growing up, making and learning about tea in Fuzhou, I fell in love with Fuzhou's mountains," Lin said. She has now taken over management of the company from her father.“在福州长大，学着种茶、制茶，我早已爱上了这里的山山水水，”林春英说。如今，她已从父亲手中接过公司管理的重任。Wu Yongping, director at the Institute for Taiwan Studies at Tsinghua University, said that Taiwan lacks the economic hinterland for further development, given its limited population and small local market, but the mainland could offer it a much broader space for growth.清华大学台湾研究院院长巫永平表示，台湾人口有限、本地市场规模较小，缺乏进一步发展的经济腹地，而大陆能为其提供更广阔的发展空间。After the launch of reform and opening-up, Taiwan businesses that entered the mainland have contributed to the economy and have been beneficiaries as well, Wu said, adding that economic ties are a fundamental link of cross-Strait relations, so it's important to keep the link strong.巫永平指出，改革开放以来，进入大陆的台商不仅为大陆经济发展作出了贡献，自身也成为受益者。他强调，经济联系是两岸关系的重要基础，必须牢牢巩固这一纽带。Fujian's "demonstration zone" aims to ease the settlement of Taiwan compatriots on the mainland by leading efforts to overcome constraints on specific matters like obtaining phone cards, bank cards and residence permits, he said.他表示，福建建设“海峡两岸融合发展示范区”，旨在率先破解台湾同胞在大陆申领电话卡、银行卡、居住证等具体生活便利化问题，让台湾同胞在大陆生活更便捷。As a veteran Taiwan businesswoman developing on the mainland for decades, Lin has also become a facilitator for cross-Strait youth exchanges, sharing her experiences on employment and entrepreneurship in Fuzhou with young people from Taiwan.作为在大陆发展数十年的资深台商，林春英还成为两岸青年交流的桥梁，经常向台湾青年分享自己在福州就业创业的经验。She met her husband, who is from Harbin, Heilongjiang province, in Shanghai in 2018. They now have two children and live in Fuzhou.2018年，林春英在上海结识了来自黑龙江哈尔滨的丈夫，如今两人已育有两个孩子，在福州定居生活。Taiwan compatriots in Fujiann.在福建的台湾同胞 /ˌtaɪˈwɑːn kəmˈpeɪtriəts ɪn ˈfuːdʒiːn/Taiwan businesspeople (investing in Fujian)n.（在福建投资的）台商/ˌtaɪˈwɑːn ˈbɪznɪsˌpiːpl (ɪnˈvestɪŋ ɪn ˈfuːdʒiːn)/

The Communist Party of China will convene a key leadership meeting from Oct 20 to 23 in Beijing to map out priorities of the nation's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), a blueprint that will shape the nation's economic and social agenda and lay the groundwork for its long-term modernization goals.中国共产党将于10月20日至23日在北京召开重要领导会议，制定“十五五”规划（2026-2030年）的重点任务。该规划作为一份蓝图，将确定国家经济社会发展议程，并为国家长期现代化目标奠定基础。The date for the fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee was set at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Monday. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting.五年规划是指导中国中长期发展的重要战略文件，明确了每个五年期间各领域的国家目标、主要任务和政策方向。中共二十届四中全会的召开日期是在周一召开的中共中央政治局会议上确定的，中共中央总书记习近平主持了此次会议。Five-year plans are crucial strategic documents guiding China's medium- and long-term development, which outline national goals, major tasks and policy directions in various sectors for each five-year period.五年规划是指导中国中长期发展的重要战略文件，明确了每个五年期间各领域的国家目标、主要任务和政策方向。During Monday's meeting, the Political Bureau was briefed about the opinions solicited from within and outside the CPC about a document on the CPC Central Committee's proposals for formulating the next five-year plan. It was decided at the meeting that the document will be revised based on the discussion at the meeting and submitted to the fourth plenary session for deliberation.在周一的会议上，政治局听取了关于《中共中央关于制定下一步五年规划的建议》文件的党内外意见征求情况汇报。会议决定，将根据会议讨论情况对该文件进行修改，并提交四中全会审议。The plenary session will take place as China nears the completion of its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), which has yielded significant achievements. The country is now gearing up to establish priorities for the upcoming 2026-30 period.此次全会召开之际，中国正接近完成“十四五”规划（2021-2025年），该规划已取得显著成就，目前国家正着手确定2026-2030年的重点任务。The meeting highlighted the importance of upholding the Party's overall leadership during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. With a focus on putting people first, efforts should be made to ensure that more benefits of modernization are shared more fairly among all the people, the meeting said.会议强调，“十五五”时期必须坚持党的全面领导，坚持以人民为中心，努力让现代化建设成果更多更公平惠及全体人民。It stressed the need to stay committed to high-quality development, foster new quality productive forces in line with local conditions, and comprehensively deepen reform while further expanding high-level opening-up.同时，要坚持高质量发展，因地制宜培育新质生产力，全面深化改革，进一步扩大高水平对外开放。China will promote better interplay between an efficient market and a well-functioning government, giving full play to the decisive role of the market in the allocation of resources and ensuring that the government plays its role better, said a statement released after the meeting.会后发布的声明指出，中国将推动有效市场和有为政府更好结合，充分发挥市场在资源配置中的决定性作用，更好发挥政府作用。In accordance with the strategic plan for building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects, as outlined at the 20th CPC National Congress in 2022, China will basically achieve socialist modernization by 2035 through the implementation of the 14th, 15th and 16th five-year plans.根据2022年党的二十大提出的全面建设社会主义现代化强国战略部署，中国将通过实施“十四五”“十五五”“十六五”规划，到2035年基本实现社会主义现代化。Since the start of this year, Xi has made a series of instructions to chart the course for the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan.今年以来，习近平总书记就“十五五”规划编制作出一系列重要指示。During an inspection tour to Shanghai in April, Xi said at a symposium on China's economic and social development in the 2026-30 period that "the planning must focus on the goal of basically realizing socialist modernization, with a view to building a great country and advancing national rejuvenation".4月在上海考察时，于2026-2030年中国经济社会发展座谈会上指出，“规划要聚焦基本实现社会主义现代化这一目标，着眼于建设强国、推进民族复兴”。In an instruction in May, he stressed sound, democratic and law-based decision-making to ensure high-quality formulation of the five-year plan.He also emphasized the importance of integrating top-level design with seeking advice from the public, enhancing research and discussions, and building broad consensus.5月在相关指示中强调，要坚持科学决策、民主决策、依法决策，确保五年规划高质量编制，同时重视顶层设计与问计于民相结合，加强研究论证，凝聚广泛共识。The General Office of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, noted in a report released earlier this month that guiding economic and social development with medium-and long-term plans is an important approach adopted by the Party in governing the country.Practice has proved that medium-and long-term development plans can not only give full play to the decisive role of the market in resource allocation, but also better leverage the role of the government, the report said.中国最高立法机关——全国人大常委会办公厅在本月初发布的一份报告中指出，以中长期规划指导经济社会发展，是党治国理政的重要方式。实践证明，中长期发展规划既能充分发挥市场在资源配置中的决定性作用，又能更好发挥政府作用。In a report released on Sunday, China Galaxy Securities said it believes that the key focuses during the 15th Five-Year Plan period will include promoting technological innovation, boosting domestic demand, addressing "involution-style" competition, advancing market-based reforms for the allocation of production factors, building a green and low-carbon economy, and enhancing people's well-being.中国银河证券在周日发布的报告中表示，预计“十五五”时期的重点方向包括推动科技创新、扩大内需、应对“内卷式”竞争、推进生产要素市场化配置改革、发展绿色低碳经济以及增进民生福祉。convenev.召开/kənˈviːn/deliberationn.审议；深思熟虑；讨论/dɪˌlɪbəˈreɪʃn/leveragev.充分利用；发挥/ˈliːvərɪdʒ/

China's central authorities have held a meeting to study major issues in the drafting of the 15th Five-Year Plan for national economic and social development. The meeting comes nearly a month before the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee.

China's top leadership has emphasized a people-centered approach during the country's economic and social development in the next five years, as they decided to hold the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee from October 20 to 23 to discuss a proposal for the 15th Five-Year Plan (01:03). Traveling and shopping in China are trending among international tourists under visa exemptions and tax refunds (01:44). And Iran has rejected the return of sanctions, calling the action by the E3 "illegal and unjustified (12:43)."

President Xi Jinping called on Tuesday for people from all ethnic groups and all walks of life in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region to pool efforts and strive in solidarity to build a beautiful Xinjiang in the process of achieving Chinese modernization.He made the remarks when meeting with representatives from all ethnic groups and sectors in the region.Xi arrived in Urumqi, the region's capital, earlier in the day to attend activities marking the 70th anniversary of the region's founding, including a grand gathering on Thursday morning.Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has led a central delegation to Xinjiang for the celebrations, marking the first time in the history of the Party and the country that such an arrangement has been made.The visit speaks volumes about the importance that the CPC Central Committee attaches to Xinjiang work, as well as its great care for the officials and people of all ethnic groups in the region.Located in Northwest China, Xinjiang has been the home of various ethnic groups since ancient times and a place for cultural integration.As the plane carrying Xi landed at Urumqi Tianshan International Airport, he was greeted with warm applause and cheers from local people waiting on the tarmac. Thousands of people from different ethnic groups welcomed him with traditional dances accompanied by festive music.Paruzat Zulpikar, a Uygur student in the fifth grade, presented Xi with a bouquet of red roses, peonies and pomegranates."It still feels just like a dream. I was both excited and nervous," she said. "I greeted him with 'Hello, Grandpa Xi', and he gave me a warm feeling."Permeated with a festive atmosphere, Urumqi was decorated with colorful flags on both sides of the main streets from the airport to the hotel. People from all ethnic groups waved flags and cheered to express their welcome and gratitude. Opening the car window, Xi waved back to the crowds along the road.Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012, Xinjiang has made solid progress in promoting high-quality development, with its per capita nominal GDP more than doubling — from 33,495 yuan ($4,710) in 2012 to 78,660 yuan in 2024.Over the past years, people's well-being has also witnessed continuous improvement, as more than 70 percent of Xinjiang's general public budget is allocated every year to safeguard and improve people's well-being, in order to ensure that development benefits the people of all ethnic groups in a fair way.Wang Haoyu, a community worker and a member of a dragon dance team, said he has personally experienced the changes in living conditions over the years."Our family first lived in an old, 50-square-meter brick house. When I was about 2 years old, we moved into a walk-up apartment. Then, five or six years ago, we moved into an apartment with an elevator. Life has kept getting better," he said.The 27-year-old said that Xinjiang's development today has not come easily. "We are not only witnesses to history, but also builders of history. I will continue to work hard, do my job well, and help make Xinjiang an even better place," he said.Also on Tuesday, Xi held separate meetings with local officials, leaders of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, cadres who have come to work in Xinjiang from other parts of the country, judicial workers, police officers, and patriotic members of religious circles, among others.Xi also met with military officers ranked colonel and above, along with grassroots role models and civilian personnel accompanying troops stationed in Urumqi. He conveyed cordial greetings to all military personnel in Xinjiang on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the Central Military Commission.

China's Victory Day commemorations have strengthened the nation's resolve and confidence in building a strong country and advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts, President Xi Jinping has said.Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while delivering an address at a recent meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.He delivered the speech after hearing a report summarizing activities on commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War, during the Party leadership meeting.As Japan officially surrendered on Sept 2, 1945, by signing the Instrument of Surrender, China designated Sept 3 as its V-Day.This year it held a massive military parade on Sept 3 at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing as part of its commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the victory.In his speech, Xi emphasized that the commemorations were solemn, grand, inspiring and motivating, further promoting the great spirit of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, further boosting the confidence in advancing the great cause of national rejuvenation, and further demonstrating China's commitment to building a community with a shared future for humanity.He pointed out that the leading group for the commemorative activities and the relevant institutions involved in the task force resolutely implemented the decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee, adhered to high standards and strict requirements, and fulfilled the political task assigned by the CPC Central Committee with a pragmatic and meticulous approach.Xi stressed the need to harness the positive energy generated by the commemorative activities, and use them as a vivid tool for patriotic education. He called for injecting the confidence, pride, enthusiasm and vitality they inspired into efforts to implement the CPC Central Committee's decisions and deployments and address various risks and challenges, and into mighty forces to promote reform, drive development and ensure stability.While emphasizing the importance of maintaining a correct historical perspective on the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression as well as on World War II, he called for drawing wisdom and strength from the great victory in the whole nation's resistance against Japanese aggression led by the CPC.It is important to stand firm on the right side of history, and forge a brighter future by learning from history, he said.Xi urged the effective telling of the story of China's peaceful development, demonstrating to the world that China is a staunch defender of the postwar international order, and presenting China's image as a responsible major country committed to building a community with a shared future for humanity.It is important to thoroughly summarize the experiences and practices of organizing the commemorative activities, and to continuously enrich and improve the ceremonial system of a great Party and a great nation, he said.On Wednesday, Xi met at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with representatives from various sectors involved in organizing the commemorative activities. He expressed gratitude and greetings to them, highly praised their hard work and outstanding achievements, and encouraged them to strive for new success.After the meeting, a symposium was held to summarize the commemorative activities.Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the leading group for the commemorative activities, attended the meeting and the symposium.

Last time we spoke about Japan's preparations for War. In late 1936, tensions soared in China as Nationalist General Chiang Kai-shek was detained by dissenting commanders who were frustrated with his focus on communism instead of the growing Japanese threat. Faced with escalating Japanese aggression, these leaders forced Chiang into a reluctant alliance with the Chinese Communist Party, marking a pivotal shift in China's strategy. Despite this union, China remained unprepared, lacking sufficient military supplies and modern equipment. Conversely, Japan, wary of Chinese modernization efforts, pushed for a preemptive strike to dismantle Chiang's regime before it could pose a serious threat. As aggressive military exercises intensified, Japan underestimated Chinese resilience. By spring 1937, both nations found themselves on the brink of war, with Japan's divided military leadership struggling to formulate a coherent strategy. Ultimately, these miscalculations would lead to the full-scale Sino-Japanese War, altering the course of history in East Asia.   #154 The Marco Polo Bridge Incident  Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. Here we are at last, the beginning of the absolute cataclysm between China and Japan. Now as many of you know I run the Pacific War week by week podcast, which technically covers the second sino-japanese war, nearly to a T. So for this podcast I want to try and portray the event from the Chinese and Japanese point of view, but not in the rather dry manner of the other podcast. In the other podcast I am hampered by the week by week format and can never dig deep into the nitty gritty as they say. On the same hand I don't want to simply regurgitate every single battle of this conflict, it would be absolutely nuts. So bear with me friends as we fall down in the rabbit hole of madness together, who knows how long it will take to get out. On the night of July 7, 1937, at approximately 19:30, the 8th Squadron of the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Regiment of the Hebian Brigade of the Japanese Army, stationed in Fengtai and led by Squadron Leader Shimizu Seiro, conducted a military exercise, heading toward Lungwangmiao, approximately just under a mile northwest of the Marco Polo Bridge The exercise simulated an operation to capture the bridge. As you may have guessed it was named after the Italian explorer Marco Polo, who described it in his travels, the bridge is renowned for its intricate carvings of lions and other sculptures. However after 1937, the Marco Polo Bridge would be far less known for its history dealing with the venetian explorer and more so with an event that many would contend to be the start of WW2. At that time, troops from Japan, Britain, France, and Italy were stationed near Peiping in accordance with the Boxer Protocol of 1901. The Japanese China Garrison Army, comprising around 4,000 soldiers and commanded by Lieutenant-General Tashiro Kan'ichirō, was based in Tientsin. Its mission was to "maintain communication lines between Peiping and the seaports in the Gulf of Chihli and to protect Japanese citizens living in key areas of North China." The protocol also permitted the garrison forces of the signatory nations to conduct field drills and rifle practice without notifying the Chinese authorities, with the exception of cases involving live fire. During this period, Japanese troops were conducting nightly exercises in anticipation of a scheduled review on July 9. The night maneuver was within the army's rights under the Boxer Protocol and was not an illegal act, as later claimed by the Chinese. However, the Japanese army had courteously informed the Chinese authorities about its training plans in advance. Despite this, the atmosphere was charged with tension, and the Japanese decision to use blank ammunition during their night exercise further escalated the already volatile situation. Earlier that evening, Captain Shimizu Setsurö, a company commander, arrived at the banks of the Yungting River, where the maneuver was to take place. He noticed that the site looked different since the last exercise had occurred; Chinese troops had recently constructed new trenches and parapets from the embankment to the Lungwangmiao shelter. While eating his dinner and surveying the area, Shimizu felt a sense of unease, harboring a premonition that “something might happen that night.” After completing the first stage of the maneuver around 10:30 PM, several live rounds were fired into the assembled company from the direction of the riverbank. Shimizu immediately conducted a roll call and found one soldier missing. He promptly sent a messenger to inform the battalion commander. The exercise was then called off, and the company moved eastward to await further orders at Hsiwulitien. Battalion Commander Itsuki Kiyonaho, upon receiving the report, deemed the situation serious. Aside from the gunfire heard in the darkness from an unknown source, he expressed concern over the soldier's disappearance and sought permission from Regiment Commander Mutaguchi Renya, an absolute moron, if you listen to the pacific war podcast, well you know. Anyways to relocate the battalion to the area where the shots had been fired and to establish surveillance. As dawn approached, the troops heard several more gunshots. Within twenty minutes of the soldier's disappearance, he returned to his ranks, but Shimizu did not report this update until four hours later. Meanwhile, midnight negotiations included a Japanese request for permission to search the city of Wanping, leading both sides to believe the incident was significant. Around 11:00 PM, the Japanese forces falsely reported that one of their soldiers had gone missing during the drill and demanded permission to enter the city for a search. This request was firmly denied by Ji Xingwen, the commander of the 219th Regiment of the 37th Division of the Chinese Army. In response, Japanese troops swiftly surrounded Wanping County. To prevent further escalation, at 2:00 AM the following morning, Qin Dechun, deputy commander of the 29th Army and mayor of Beiping, agreed with the Japanese to allow both sides to send personnel for an investigation. While Matsui, the head of the Japanese secret service in Peiping, was negotiating with North Chinese authorities based on unverified reports from Japanese troops in Fengtai, Ikki Kiyonao, the battalion commander of the Japanese garrison in Fengtai, had already reported to his regiment commander, Mutaguchi Lianya. The latter approved orders for the Japanese troops in Fengtai to “immediately move out” to the Marco Polo Bridge.  On July 8, a large contingent of Japanese troops appeared at Lugou Bridge. Shen Zhongming, the platoon leader of the 10th Company of the Reserve Force of the 3rd Battalion of the 219th Regiment of the 37th Division of the 29th Army, was assisting in guarding the bridgehead. He jumped out of the trench, stood in front of the bunker, and raised his right hand to halt the advancing Japanese troops. However, the Japanese military threatened to search for their missing soldiers, pushed forward, and opened fire. Shen Zhongming was shot and died on the spot. At 4:50 AM, the Japanese army launched a fierce assault on Wanping County, capturing Shagang in the northeast of Wanping and firing the first shot of the siege. Unable to withstand the aggression, the Chinese defenders mounted a counterattack. That day, the Japanese army assaulted Wanping City three times, targeting the Pinghan Railway Bridge and the Chinese defenders at the Huilong Temple position on the left. He Jifeng, the commander of the 110th Brigade of the Chinese defenders, issued a resolute order to “live and die with the bridge” and personally commanded the front-line battle. The Chinese defenders engaged in fierce combat, fighting valiantly despite exhausting their ammunition and resorting to hand-to-hand combat with swords against the Japanese soldiers. Tragically, over 80 Chinese defenders from two platoons were killed at the bridgehead. On the same day, the Beijing authorities instructed the garrison to hold firm at the Marco Polo Bridge. Song Queyuan sent a telegram to Chiang Kai-shek to report the true events of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. The National Government's Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a verbal protest with the Japanese ambassador regarding the incident. Additionally, the CPC Central Committee issued a telegram urging all Chinese soldiers and civilians to unite and resist Japanese aggression. The Japanese cabinet, in a bid to mislead global public opinion, proposed a so-called policy of “resolving the incident locally without escalating it,” aiming to paralyze the KMT authorities and buy time to mobilize additional forces. In the wake of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, generals of the 29th Army, including Qin Dechun, Feng Zhian, and Zhang Zizhong, convened an emergency meeting. Following their discussions, they issued a statement demanding that their troops withdraw from the Marco Polo Bridge to de-escalate tensions. However, they expressed deep concerns about national sovereignty, stating, “We cannot simply back down. If they continue to oppress us, we will do our utmost to defend ourselves.” Concurrently, the 29th Army commanded the troops defending the Marco Polo Bridge: “The Marco Polo Bridge is your grave. You must live and die with the bridge and must not retreat.” Brigade Commander He Jifeng reinforced three directives for the defenders:  1. Do not allow the Japanese army to enter the city;  2. Firmly counterattack if the Japanese invade;  3. You are responsible for defending the territory and will never yield. If you abandon your position, you will face military law. On July 9, the 29th Army successfully eliminated a Japanese squadron and reclaimed control of the railway bridge and Longwang Temple. A temporary lull settled over the Marco Polo Bridge battlefield, during which the Japanese military made false claims that "missing Japanese soldiers had returned to their units" and described the situation as a misunderstanding that could be resolved peacefully. Subsequently, Chinese and Japanese representatives in Beijing and Tianjin engaged in negotiations. The Beijing authorities reached an agreement with the Japanese forces, which included:  (1) an immediate cessation of hostilities by both parties;  (2) the Japanese army withdrawing to the left bank of the Yongding River while the Chinese army retreated to the right bank; and  (3) the defense of Lugou Bridge being assigned to Shi Yousan's unit of the Hebei Security Team. However, the following day, while the Chinese army withdrew as agreed, the Japanese army not only failed to uphold its commitments but also dispatched a significant number of troops to launch an offensive against the Chinese forces. Reports on July 10 indicated that the Japanese army had arrived from Tianjin, Gubeikou, Yuguan, and other locations, advancing toward the Lugou Bridge with artillery and tanks, and had occupied Dajing Village and Wulidian, signaling that another outbreak of conflict was imminent. On July 11, the Japanese Cabinet decided to deploy seven divisions from the Kwantung Army, the Korean Army, and Japan to North China. On the same day, the Beiping-Tianjin authorities reached a localized agreement with the Japanese army, which entailed:  (1) a formal apology from a representative of the 29th Army to the Japanese forces, along with assurances that those responsible for the initial conflict would be held accountable;  (2) a ban on anti-Japanese activities conducted by the Communist Party, the Blue Shirts Society, and other resistance groups; and  (3) an agreement ensuring that no Chinese troops would be stationed east of the Yongding River. Concurrently, the Japanese army positioned their forces at strategic points in Wuqing, Fengtai, Wanping, and Changping, effectively encircling the city of Beijing and continuing to advance troops into its surrounding suburbs. Starting on July 11, the Japanese army began bombarding Wanping City and its surrounding areas with artillery, resulting in numerous casualties among the local population. Following the injury of regiment commander Ji Xingwen, residents were evacuated to safer locations outside the city. The conflict then spread to Babaoshan, Changxindian, Langfang, Yangcun, and other areas, with the 29th Army being deployed to various locations to confront the enemy. The Japanese military also dispatched aircraft for reconnaissance and strafing missions, leading to intermittent fighting. On July 13, Mao Zedong urged "every Communist Party member and anti-Japanese revolutionary to be prepared to mobilize to the frontline of the anti-Japanese war at any time" from Yan'an. By July 15, a CPC representative presented the "Communist Party Declaration on Cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party" to Chiang Kai-shek, proposing that this declaration serve as the political foundation for cooperation between the two parties and be publicly issued by the Kuomintang. Zhou Enlai, Qin Bangxian, and Lin Boqu continued negotiations with Chiang Kai-shek, Shao Lizi, and Zhang Chong in Lushan. Although Chiang Kai-shek recognized the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region, disagreements remained regarding the reorganization of the Red Army. On July 16, the Five Ministers Conference in Tokyo resolved to mobilize 400,000 Japanese troops to invade China and to enforce a policy aimed at rapidly destroying the entire country. The following day, more than 100 Japanese soldiers arrived in Shunyi and Changping, where they reinforced fortifications on the city wall of Changping. On July 18, the Japanese army invaded Changping, Tongzhou, and other counties in the pseudo-border areas by maneuvering through various passes of the Great Wall. Japanese plainclothes teams were reported to be active in the Xiaotangshan area of Changping, raising alert levels within the Chinese army. On July 20, the Kuomintang Military and Political Department became aware that the Japanese army intended to first occupy strategic locations such as the Indigo Factory, Wanshou Mountain, and Balizhuang in the Pingxi area, before cutting off the Pingsui Road and controlling the route from Beiping to Changping. On July 21, the Japanese army violated the agreement by bombarding Wanping County and the garrison at Changxindian.  On the night of July 25, a confrontation took place at the railway station in Langfang, located between Peiping and Tientsin. The clash involved Chinese troops and a Japanese company dispatched to repair telegraph lines. General Kazuki promptly sought Tokyo's permission to respond with military force, believing that the situation required immediate action. Without waiting for authorization, he ordered a regiment from Tientsin to engage the Chinese forces and issued an ultimatum to Sung Che-yuan, stating that if the 37th Division did not completely withdraw from Peiping by noon on July 28, the Garrison Army would take unilateral action. The 77th Infantry Regiment of the 20th Division was dispatched with the Gonoi Squadron to escort a repair team to Langfang Station. Stationed near Langfang were the headquarters of the 113th Brigade of the 38th Division, along with the main force of the 226th Regiment, led by Brigade Commander Liu Zhensan and Regiment Commander Cui Zhenlun. Although the leadership of the 29th Army adopted a passive stance in the war of resistance, the forces in Langfang prepared for conflict in an organized manner. They not only evacuated the families of servicemen and relocated the regiment headquarters, but also built fortifications and deployed plainclothes teams at Wanzhuang Station, Luofa Station, and Langfang Station to swiftly destroy the railway if necessary. Despite their preparations, the commanders of the 38th Division adhered to Song Queyuan's directives. When the 5th Company, stationed at Yangcun, observed Japanese supply units continually moving toward Lugou Bridge, they sought permission to engage the enemy. However, the 38th Division later reassigned this company. The Bac Ninh Line, established after the Boxer Protocol, had granted the Japanese the right to station troops, placing the 38th Division in a vulnerable position and preventing them from stopping the Japanese before they reached Langfang. Upon the arrival of Japanese forces at Langfang Station, Chinese guards initiated negotiations, requesting the Japanese to withdraw quickly after completing their mission. The Japanese, however, insisted on establishing camps outside the station, leading to repeated arguments. As tensions mounted, the Japanese began constructing positions near the station, ultimately forcing Chinese troops to retreat and escalating the conflict. The situation reached a boiling point around 11:10 pm, when fierce gunfire and explosions erupted near Langfang Station. The Japanese army claimed they were defending the station from an attack by Chinese forces armed with rifles, machine guns, and mortars throughout the night. According to Cui Zhenlun, the head of the 226th Regiment, it was the 9th and 10th companies that could no longer tolerate the Japanese provocation and fired first, catching the enemy off guard. As the battle intensified, reinforcements from the main force of the 77th Infantry Regiment “Li Deng Unit” arrived at the scene after receiving reports of the skirmish and gradually joined the fight after 6:30 am on July 26. When dawn broke, Japanese troops stationed at Langfang began to rush out to counterattack, seeing their reinforcements arrive. Recognizing they could not eliminate the Japanese presence at the station quickly, the 226th Regiment faced heavy bombardment from the Japanese Air Force later that morning. Consequently, the headquarters of the 113th Brigade and the primary forces of the 226th Regiment hastily retreated to Tongbai Town, suffering significant losses in equipment during their withdrawal. That night, Kazuki made the unilateral decision to abandon the policy of restraint and decided to use force on July 28 "to punish the Chinese troops in the Peiping-Tientsin area." On the morning of July 27, the army high command endorsed his decision and submitted a plan to the cabinet for mobilizing divisions in Japan. The cabinet agreed, and imperial approval was sought. At that time, the Chinese army was gathering in significant numbers in Baoding and Shijiazhuang in southern Hebei, as well as in Datong, Shanxi. They had effectively surrounded the Japanese army on all sides in the Fengtai District. Meanwhile, newly mobilized units of the Kwantung Army and the Japanese Korean Army were en route to the Tianjin and Beiping areas. The 2nd Battalion of the 2nd China Garrison Infantry Regiment, commanded by Major Hirobe, was dispatched with 26 trucks to the Japanese barracks within the walls of Beiping to ensure the protection of Japanese residents. Prior discussions had taken place between Takuro Matsui, head of the Special Service Agency, and officials from the Hebei–Chahar Political Council regarding the passage of troops through the Guang'anmen gate just outside Beiping. The mayor, Qin Dechun, had granted approval for this movement. However, when Major Tokutaro Sakurai, a military and political advisor to the Council, arrived at Guang'anmen, a famous gate to Beiping, around 6:00 pm to establish contact, he found that the Chinese troops on guard had closed the gate. After further negotiations, the gates were opened at approximately 7:30 pm, allowing the Japanese units to begin passing through. Unfortunately, as the first three trucks crossed, the Chinese opened fire on them. Two-thirds of the units managed to get through before the gate was abruptly shut, leaving a portion of Hirobe's troops trapped both inside and outside. As they faced unexpectedly heavy fire from machine guns and grenades, efforts by Japanese and Chinese advisors to pacify the Chinese troops proved futile. By 8:00 pm, the Japanese launched a counterattack from both sides of the gate. The Chinese received reinforcements and encircled the Japanese forces. Despite a relief column being dispatched by Brigadier Masakazu Kawabe, commander of the brigade in the Fengtai District, by 9:30 pm, negotiations with the Chinese yielded a proposal for de-escalation: the Chinese army would maintain a distance while the Japanese inside the gate would relocate to the grounds of their legation, and those outside would return to Fengtai. Fighting ceased shortly after 10:00 pm, and at approximately 2:00 am the following day, Hirobe's unit successfully entered the barracks in the legation. The total casualties reported for the Japanese army during these confrontations were 2 dead and 17 wounded. Both fatalities were superior privates. The wounded included one major, one captain, one sergeant, two superior privates, one private first class, seven privates second class, two attached civilians, and one news reporter. Additionally, the interpreter accompanying Tokutaro Sakurai was also killed in action. On July 27, the Japanese army launched attacks on the 29th Army garrisons in Tongxian, Tuanhe, Xiaotangshan, and other locations, forcing the defenders to retreat to Nanyuan and Beiyuan. At 8:00 am on July 28, under the command of Army Commander Kiyoshi Kozuki, the Japanese army initiated a general assault on the 29th Army in the Beiping area. The primary attacking force, the 20th Division, supported by aircraft and artillery, targeted the 29th Army Special Brigade, the 114th Brigade of the 38th Division, and the 9th Cavalry Division stationed in Nanyuan. Overwhelmed by the Japanese assault, Nanyuan's defenders struggled to maintain command, leading to chaotic individual combat. Meanwhile, the main Japanese garrison brigade in Fengtai advanced to Dahongmen, effectively cutting off the Nanyuan troops' route to the city and blocking their retreat. The battle for Nanyuan concluded at 1:00 pm, resulting in the deaths of Tong Lingge, deputy commander of the 29th Army, and Zhao Dengyu, commander of the 132nd Division. As this unfolded, elements of the 37th Division of the 29th Army launched an attack on the Japanese forces in Fengtai but were repulsed by Japanese reinforcements. On that day, the Japanese Army's 1st Independent Mixed Brigade captured Qinghe Town, prompting the 2nd Brigade of the Hebei-Northern Security Force, stationed there, to retreat to Huangsi. The Japanese also occupied Shahe. In the afternoon of July 28, Song Qeyuan appointed Zhang Zizhong as the acting chairman of the Hebei-Chahar Political Affairs Committee and director of the Hebei-Chahar Pacification Office, as well as the mayor of Beiping, before leaving the city for Baoding that evening. The 37th Division was ordered to retreat to Baoding. On July 29th, a significant mutiny broke out at Tongzhou. If you remember our episode covering the Tanggu truce, Tongzhou had become the capital of the East Hubei Anti-Communist Autonomous Government headed by Yin Jukeng. In response Chiang Kai-Shek had established the East Hebei Administrative Affairs Committee, chaired by Song Queyuan. In Tongzhou, Japanese troops were stationed under the pretext of protecting Japanese residents, as stipulated by the Boxer Protocol. Initially, a unit was intended to be stationed in Tongzhou; however, Vice Minister of the Army Umezu Yoshijiro strongly opposed this plan, arguing that placing forces in Tongzhou, far from the Beiping-Tianjin Line was inconsistent with the spirit of the Boxer Protocol. Consequently, this unit was stationed in Fengtai, located southwest of Beiping. At the time of the Tongzhou Incident, the main force of the Japanese Second Regiment, which was responsible for defending Tongzhou, had been deployed to Nanyuan, south of Beijing. Consequently, only non-combat personnel remained in Tongzhou. Japan regarded the Jidong Anti-Communist Autonomous Government Security Force as a friendly ally. Back on July 27, the primary forces of the Japanese Army stationed in Tongzhou, comprising the Kayashima Unit and the Koyama Artillery Unit, received orders to advance toward Nanyuan, Beiping, leaving Tongzhou significantly under-defended. The following day, the Japanese launched a substantial attack on Nanyuan, employing aircraft to bomb Beiping. Sensing a critical opportunity, Zhang Qingyu conferred with Zhang Yantian and Shen Weigan to initiate an uprising that very night. The insurgent force included elements from the first and second corps and the teaching corps, totaling approximately 4,000 personnel. Zhang Qingyu orchestrated the uprising with a focused strategy: the first corps was divided into three groups targeting Japanese forces in Xicang, the puppet government, and various establishments such as opium dens, casinos, and brothels operated by Japanese ronin. Meanwhile, the second corps secured key intersections and facilities in Chengguan, and the teaching corps managed defenses against potential reinforcements at vital stations. At dawn on July 29, the gunfire signaling the uprising erupted. The second unit of the first corps launched an assault on the Xicang Barracks, which housed 120 troops and non-combat personnel, including the Tongzhou Guard, Yamada Motor Vehicle Unit, a Military Police Detachment, and a host of military and police units, totaling about 500 individuals. At around 3 a.m. on July 29, the sound of gunfire filled the air as the insurgents engaged the Japanese forces. Although equipped with only four field guns, several mortars, and a few heavy machine guns, the uprising's numerical superiority enabled simultaneous attacks from the east, south, and northwest. Despite their well-fortified positions and rigorous defense, the Japanese troops struggled against the relentless onslaught. For over six hours, fierce fighting ensued. The uprising troops escalated their firepower but failed to breach the Xicang Barracks initially. More than 200 members of the Japanese security forces lost their lives in the conflict. Concerned that reinforcements might arrive and flank the uprising, Zhang Qingyu ordered artillery assaults around 11 a.m., prompting a shift in the battle's dynamics. The artillery targeted a Japanese motor vehicle convoy transporting supplies and munitions, leading to the destruction of all 17 vehicles, triggering explosions that scattered bullets and shrapnel across the area. Subsequently, nearby fuel depots ignited, engulfing the surroundings in flames and creating chaos among Japanese ranks. The insurgent infantry capitalized on this confusion, wiping out most of the remaining Japanese forces, with only a handful managing to escape. As the uprising signal rang out, another faction of insurgents swiftly blocked access to Tongzhou, disrupting traffic and occupying the telecommunications bureau and radio station. They encircled the offices of the Jidong puppet government, capturing traitor Yin Rugeng, who was taken to the Beiguan Lu Zu Temple. Despite being urged to resist the Japanese, Yin hesitated and was subsequently imprisoned. The third group then targeted the Japanese secret service agency in Nishicang. Hosoki Shigeru, residing a mere lane away from the pseudo-office, responded to the gunfire by mobilizing a contingent of secret agents to confront the uprising. However, the insurgents swiftly overtook the secret service agency, resulting in Shigeru's death and the annihilation of all secret personnel. At 4:00 p.m. on July 29, the Japanese command dispatched reinforcements, compelling the insurgents to retreat from Tongzhou. The Japanese Chinese Garrison ordered air attacks on the uprising forces, with over ten bombers targeting Tongzhou. Concurrently, the Japanese Fengtai Infantry Brigade and the Second Regiment were mobilized for a rescue operation, arriving on the morning of July 30. The Japanese headquarters issued a night defense order requiring all units to be on high alert. By 5:30 p.m., commanding officers assembled to devise a strategy. With the uprising forces still positioned around the eastern, southern, and northern walls of the barracks, Tsujimura's troops implemented strict measures: all units were instructed to fortify defenses throughout the night, with the Tongzhou Guard directly protecting the barracks and the Yamada unit securing the warehouse and supply areas. They enforced silence, prohibiting any lights at night, coordinating operations under the code name "plum cherry." As the Japanese planes repeatedly bombed the area, the insurgents, lacking anti-aircraft defenses, could only mount futile counterattacks with machine guns, leading to disorder among their ranks. Many insurgents abandoned their uniforms and weapons and fled, prompting Zhang Qingyu to make the difficult decision to evacuate Tongzhou before Japanese reinforcements arrived, regrouping in Beiping with the remnants of the 29th Army. In the late hours of July 29, the security team retreated to Beiping in two groups. Upon arrival, they discovered the 29th Army had already evacuated, forcing them to retreat to Changxindian and Baoding. En route, they encountered part of the Suzuki Brigade of the Japanese Kwantung Army near Beiyuan and Xizhimen, where they faced concentrated attacks. Officers Shen Weigan and Zhang Hanming were both killed in the subsequent battles as they led their teams in desperate fights for survival. Amid the confusion, Yin Rugeng managed to escape when the convoy escorting him was broken up by Japanese forces. In a last-ditch effort, Zhang Qingyu ordered the army to split into small groups of 50 to 60, navigating through Mentougou to regroup with the 29th Army. By the time they reached Baoding, only about 4,000 personnel remained. On the morning of July 30, over a thousand troops from the Sakai Army entered Tongzhou City. They rounded up all men they encountered, searching residences for insurgents, and exhibited intentions of massacring the local population. By 4 p.m., the Kayashima Army arrived and sealed all city gates, deploying surveillance units to oversee the city and "restore public order." The Tsujimura Army removed perimeter defenses and concentrated their forces in barracks and storage facilities. Japanese troops combed through residences based on household registries, detaining those they deemed suspicious, with many later executed. As reported by the puppet county magistrate Wang Jizhang, roughly 700 to 800 individuals were executed within a few days. This brutal retaliation instilled terror throughout Tongzhou City, leading many to flee and seek refuge, often in American churches. The pervasive atmosphere of fear lasted for two to three months. The Japanese authorities framed their violent suppression as "restoring stability to East Asia" and derided the legitimate resistance of Chinese citizens as "communist harassment" and "treason." In response to the uprising, the Japanese embassy, concerned that it could trigger a repeat of the Temple Street Incident and instigate political upheaval at home, acted without government instructions. They appointed Morishima Morito to oversee negotiations with Chi Zongmo, who had replaced Yin Rugeng as the head of the "Hebei Anti-Communist Autonomous Government." On December 24, 1937, Chi submitted a formal apology to the Japanese embassy, committing to pay a total of 1.2 million yuan in reparations, with an immediate payment of 400,000 yuan, while the remaining 800,000 yuan would be disbursed by the "Provisional Government of the Republic of China." Furthermore, the Japanese demanded that the "Hebei Anti-Communist Autonomous Government" relinquish the territories where Japanese nationals had been killed and take responsibility for constructing "comfort towers." They compelled Chinese laborers to build these structures at the former site of the Governor's Office of Canal Transport in Shuiyueyuan Hutong, Nanmenli, and the northeastern corner of Xicang Square to commemorate Japanese casualties from the uprising. Additionally, they forcibly uprooted ancient trees from the Temple of Heaven, transplanting them around the "comfort towers." The Japanese military also demolished white marble guardrails at the Confucian Temple to erect a monument honoring their soldiers, resulting in the destruction of centuries-old cultural artifacts. On the morning of July 29, the Japanese Army's 11th Independent Mixed Brigade attacked Beiyuan and Huangsi. The Hebei-Northern Security Force, stationed in Huangsi, engaged the Japanese forces until 6:00 PM before retreating. Meanwhile, the 39th Independent Brigade, garrisoned in Beiyuan, fought the Japanese before withdrawing to Gucheng, eventually returning to Beiyuan. On July 31, this brigade was disarmed by the Japanese army, while the Independent 27th Brigade in the city was reorganized into a security team to maintain public order, later breaking through to Chahar Province a few days later and being assigned to the 143rd Division. Meanwhile, the 38th Division of the 29th Army, stationed in Tianjin, proactively attacked Japanese troops in Tianjin early on July 29, capturing the Japanese garrison at Tianjin General Station and launching an assault on the Japanese headquarters at Haiguang Temple and the Dongjuzi Airport. Initially, the battle progressed favorably; however, due to counterattacks from Japanese aircraft and artillery, the Chinese forces began to retreat around 3:00 PM, leading to the fall of Tianjin. Later that afternoon, the rebel forces evacuated Tong County and advanced toward Beiping. En route, they were attacked by the Japanese army north of the city and subsequently retreated to Baoding. As the 37th Division of the 29th Army received orders to retreat southward, the 110th Brigade covered the army headquarters and the Beiping troops from Wanping to Babaoshan, eventually retreating southward through Mentougou. After completing their task, they withdrew to Baoding on July 30. By the end of the 30th, the Japanese army had occupied both Beiping and Tianjin. The Japanese Independent Mixed Brigade No. 1 and the garrison brigade occupied high ground west of Changxindian and the area near Dahuichang on the evenings of the 30th and 31st, respectively. With this, the battles in Beiping and Tianjin effectively came to a close. China and Japan were at war. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. It has finally happened, China and Japan are officially at war. From 1931 until now, it had been an unofficial war between the two, yet another incident had finally broke the camel's back. There was no turning back as Japan would unleash horror upon the Chinese people. The fight for China's survival had begun. China was completely alone against a fierce enemy, how would she manage?