Podcasts about five year plan

China's Economic Slump: Export Decline, Policy Failures, and Property Market Stagnation Guests: Anne Stevenson-Yang and Gordon Chang Anne Stevenson-Yang and Gordon Chang discussed the unprecedented slump in China's economic activity, noting cooled investment and slowing industrial output, with exports falling 25% to the US, attributing this long-term decline to the government's 2008 decision to pull back economic reforms and the current 15th Five-Year Plan lacking viable solutions or bailouts for hurting localities, while consumption remains dangerously low (around 38% of GDP) and is expected to shrink further as the government prioritizes technological development and factory production, with the property market collapsing as capital investment, land sales, and unit prices decline, forcing people to hold onto decaying apartments and risking stagnation for decades similar to Japan post-1989, a problem largely self-created due to overcapacity, although other countries like Brazil are also restricting Chinese imports.

SHOW 11-17-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR 1899 UKRAINE THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT POTUS... FIRST HOUR 9-915 Pakistan's Military Dominance: Field Marshal Munir's Power and US Relations Guest: Ambassador Husain Haqqani Ambassador Husain Haqqani detailed the institutional dominance of Pakistan's military, noting that Parliament recently granted Field Marshal Asim Munir legal immunity for life and expanded his power by designating him Chief of Defense Forces, giving him control over the entire military, as Munir aims for presidential privileges without directly taking power, backed by a national narrative that Pakistan is perpetually under threat from India, and gained significant political and psychological advantage through two meetings and praise from President Trump, despite no new US aid or weapons, while Trump, who favors strongmen, may also be using this praise to leverage concessions from Indian Prime Minister Modi, as Munir is taking risks by adopting a firmer stance regarding violence on the Northwest frontier with the Taliban, an approach not well received by the Afghans, with Pakistani politicians historically conceding ground to the military to secure a shared portion of power. 915-930 CONTINUED Pakistan's Military Dominance: Field Marshal Munir's Power and US Relations Guest: Ambassador Husain Haqqani Ambassador Husain Haqqani detailed the institutional dominance of Pakistan's military, noting that Parliament recently granted Field Marshal Asim Munir legal immunity for life and expanded his power 930-945 China's Economic Slump: Export Decline, Policy Failures, and Property Market Stagnation Guests: Anne Stevenson-Yang and Gordon Chang Anne Stevenson-Yang and Gordon Chang discussed the unprecedented slump in China's economic activity, noting cooled investment and slowing industrial output, with exports falling 25% to the US, attributing this long-term decline to the government's 2008 decision to pull back economic reforms and the current 15th Five-Year Plan lacking viable solutions or bailouts for hurting localities, while consumption remains dangerously low (around 38% of GDP) and is expected to shrink further as the government prioritizes technological development and factory production, with the property market collapsing as capital investment, land sales, and unit prices decline, forcing people to hold onto decaying apartments and risking stagnation for decades similar to Japan post-1989, a problem largely self-created due to overcapacity, although other countries like Brazil are also restricting Chinese imports. 945-1000 China's Role in Global Drug Epidemics: Meth Precursors and Weaponizing Chemicals. Guests: Kelly Curry and Gordon Chang. Kelly Curry and Gordon Chang detailed China's crucial role in the global drug trade, asserting that China's chemical exports are fueling a "tsunami of meth" across Asia. Chinese manufacturers supply meth precursor chemicals to warlords, notably the Chinese-aligned, US-sanctioned United Wa State Army in Myanmar. This production (Yaba/ice) is believed to have been diverted from China's domestic market in the 1990s. Both guests confirmed this activity is impossible without the explicit knowledge and support of the Central Committee, noting China grants export subsidies, tax rebates, and uses state banks for money laundering associated with the drug trade. China benefits financially and strategically by weakening US-backed allies like Thailand and South Korea who are flooded with the drugs. This structure mirrors the fentanyl crisis in North America, and experts predict increasing co-production and sharing of chemical methods between Asian drug groups and Mexican cartels. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 Syria's Complex Geopolitics: Air Bases, Sanctions, Accountability, and Great Power Mediation Guest: Ahmad Sharawi Ahmad Sharawi discussed the non-transparent situation in Syria, focusing on reports of potential US air bases (Mezzeh and Dumayr), with denials from the Syrian government suggesting they won't possess the bases but might allow US use for counter-ISIS missions or potentially a security agreement requested by Israel for deconfliction, noting a recent US C-130 spotted landing at the Mezzeh air base near Damascus, while during a reported White House visit, Syrian requests included the removal of Caesar sanctions (partially waived by President Trump) and an Israeli withdrawal from the southern border buffer zone, with domestic movement towards accountability for the Suwayda province massacre and government security forces being arrested, as a Russian military delegation visited Damascus and southern Syria, potentially acting as a deconfliction mechanism between Syria and Israeli forces, with Russia's goal appearing to be balancing regional interests while maintaining its bases in western Syria. 1015-1030 CONTINUED Syria's Complex Geopolitics: Air Bases, Sanctions, Accountability, and Great Power Mediation Guest: Ahmad Sharawi Ahmad Sharawi discussed the non-transparent situation in Syria, focusing on reports of potential US air bases (Mezzeh and Dumayr), with denials from the Syrian government... 1030-1045 Venezuela Crisis: Potential Maduro Exit and Shifting Political Tides in Latin America Guests: Ernesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña Esclusa Alejandro Peña Esclusa and Ernesto Araújo discussed the crisis in Venezuela, noting a powerful US fleet gathered nearby, with Maduro fearing military intervention and reportedly wanting to discuss surrender conditions with President Trump, though his exit is complicated by his ally Diosdado Cabello, who heads operations for the Cartel of the Suns and has no path for redemption, while Maduro's potential fall would deliver a severe blow to the organized crime and drug trafficking networks that permeate South America's political structures, with the opposition, led by María Corina Machado, having transition plans, and Brazilian President Lula neutralized from strongly opposing US actions due to ongoing tariff negotiations with Trump, as the conversation highlighted a new conservative political wave in Latin America, with optimism reported in Argentina following elections that strengthened Javier Milei, and in Chile, where conservative José Antonio Kast is strongly positioned, representing a blend of economic freedom, anti-organized crime platforms, and conservative values. 1045-1100 CONTINUED Venezuela Crisis: Potential Maduro Exit and Shifting Political Tides in Latin America Guests: Ernesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña Esclusa Alejandro Peña Esclusa and Ernesto Araújo discussed the crisis in Venezuela, noting a powerful US fleet gathered nearby, with Maduro fearing military intervention and... THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 1/4 Jews Versus Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion and the Cost of Diaspora Revolts Professor Barry Strauss of Cornell University, Professor Emeritus and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, discusses the history of Jewish resistance against the Roman Empire as detailed in his book Jews versus Rome. Following the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem, rebellion continued among Jewish communities scattered across the Roman world. 1115-1130 CONTINUED 2/4 During Emperor Trajan's campaign against the Parthian Empire, a widespread and coordinated "diaspora revolt" erupted in 115–117 AD, beginning in Libya and spreading to Egypt, Cyprus, and Mesopotamia. This was a major challenge, forcing Trajan to divert a legion, as Egypt was the empire's strategic breadbasket. The revolt was spurred by the insulting Jewish tax, the fiscus Judaicus, paid to Jupiter, and the frustrated expectation that the Temple would be rebuilt within 70 years. The Jewish community in Alexandria, possibly the largest Jewish city in the ancient world, was wiped out during the suppression, a disaster for diaspora Judaism. 1130-1145 CONTINUED 3/4 srajan's successor, Hadrian, revered the war against Parthia but recognized the Jews' disloyalty. Starting in 117 AD, Hadrian planned to rebuild Jerusalem as a pagan city named Aelia Capitolina to demonstrate that the Temple would never be restored and to discourage collusion between Jews and Parthians. This provoked the Bar Kokhba Revolt in 132 AD. The leader, Simon Bar Kosa, took the messianic title Bar Kokhba, meaning "Son of the Star," and was accepted as the Messiah by some leading rabbis, including Rabbi Akiva. 1145-1200 CONTINUED The rebels utilized successful asymmetrical warfare, operating from underground tunnel systems and ambushing Roman forces. The conflict was so severe that Hadrian deployed reinforcements from across the empire, including Britain, and the Roman army was badly mauled. The revolt ended bloodily at the stronghold of Betar. As lasting punishment for centuries of trouble and rebellion, the Romans renamed the province from Judea to Syria Palestina. Pockets of resistance continued, notably the Gallus Revolt in 351–352 AD. Guest: Professor Barry Strauss. FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 Iran's Multi-Faceted Crises: Water Scarcity, Pollution, and Transnational Repression Guest: Jonathan Sayah Jonathan Sayah discussed the multi-faceted crises plaguing Iran, reflecting poor management and ecological decline, with Tehran overwhelmed by severe water scarcity as dams dry up and crippling air pollution with CO2 levels 10 times the WHO standard, while the water crisis is worsened by the regime, especially IRGC-affiliated contractors, who prioritize their support base through unregulated mega-projects, leading to rivers and lakes drying up, a deliberate deprivation of clean water that constitutes a human rights violation, as environmental disasters have driven widespread internal migration into Tehran, taxing infrastructure and leading to issues like land subsidence, with the population considered "prime for unrest," while separately, Iran continues its policy of transnational repression, highlighted by the recent foiled plot to assassinate Israel's ambassador in Mexico, as Iran targets both Israeli/American officials and relies on criminal networks to repress Iranian dissidents abroad, while consistently holding American dual citizens hostage as political leverage. 1215-1230 CONTINUED 1230-1245 Ukraine Conflict: French Arms Deal, Sabotage, and the Perilous Battle for Pokrovsk. Guest: John Hardy. John Hardy reported that Ukraine signed a letter of intent with France to obtain 100 Rafale warplanes over 10 years, along with air defense systems. While this partnership is encouraging, Hardy expressed concern that Ukraine is excessively over-diversifying its future air fleet (including F-16, Grippen, Mirage, and Rafale) which complicates long-term sustainment and maintenance. Simultaneously, alarming reports surfaced that sabotage was blamed for an explosion on a major railway line in Poland used to supply Ukraine, fitting a pattern of suspected Russian covert operations against European infrastructure. On the battlefield, fighting continues in Pokrovsk (Picro). Hardy warned that if Ukrainian forces prioritize a politically motivated hold, they risk the encirclement and destruction of troops in nearby areas. Poor weather, such as fog, plays a significant role in the conflict, as Russians often time assaults during these conditions to impede Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance and FPV drones 1245-100 AM raq Elections and Yemen's Houthi Crackdown Guest: Bridget Toomey Bridget Toomey discussed recent developments in Iraq and Yemen, noting that Iraqi parliamentary elections saw a higher-than-expected 56% voter turnout, with preliminary results suggesting Shiite parties close to Tehran performed well and might secure enough seats to form the next government, despite internal infighting and votes remaining largely sectarian, while Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani received credit for stability and his party performed strongly, though many Iraqis doubt the elections affect real change, believing critical decisions are made via elite backroom deals, and turning to Yemen, the Houthis announced the arrest of a purported Saudi-American-Israeli spy ring, a paranoid crackdown following Israel's successful targeting of Houthi government and military leaders in August, with arrests including 59 UN workers and prosecutors requesting the death sentence for 21, aiming to intimidate domestic dissent and signal resolve to Western and regional adversaries, especially in sensitive Houthi locations in Sana'a.

In this episode of The Unshakable Church, Ron Pearce shares from his recent travels in Southeast Asia, where he met passionate soul winners impacting millions for Christ. He unpacks the five biblical crowns, with a focus on the Soul Winner's Crown, and encourages believers to faithfully share the Gospel, support missionaries, and pursue the eternal reward of leading others to Jesus. Be inspired to take your faith beyond your circle and join in the global harvest!

The China International Import Expo was held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10. As one of the world's largest trade fairs, it has become a flagship platform for showcasing China's commitment to high-standard and institutional opening-up — a central theme of the country's upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan. Amid global economic headwinds, China is doubling down on openness — turning its vast market into a shared space for cooperation, innovation, and growth.

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.

Aaron Benanav discusses the second part of his ‘Beyond Capitalism' essay series in the New Left Review. In this part he lays out the institutional design of his proposal of a multi-criterial economy. Shownotes Aaron at Cornell University: https://cals.cornell.edu/people/aaron-benanav Aaron's personal website: https://www.aaronbenanav.com/ Access to Aaron's paywalled publications: https://www.aaronbenanav.com/papers Mailing List to join the Movement for Multi-Dimensional Economics: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUF7MZ2jQJXY_wHKn5xSIo-_L0tkMO-SG079sa5lGhRJTgqg/viewform Benanav, A. (2025). Beyond Capitalism—1. New Left Review, Issue 153, 65–128. https://newleftreview.org/issues/ii153/articles/aaron-benanav-beyond-capitalism-1 Benanav, A. (2025). Beyond Capitalism—2. New Left Review, Issue 154, 97–143. https://newleftreview.org/issues/ii154/articles/aaron-benanav-beyond-capitalism-2 Benanv, A. (2020). Automation and the Future of Work. Verso. https://www.versobooks.com/products/2682-automation-and-the-future-of-work on economic stagnation, see especially chapter 3, “In the Shadow of Stagnation”. on Marx's concept of the Value-Form: https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1867-c1/appendix.htm Moore, J.W. & Patel, R. (2020). A History of the World in Seven Cheap Things. A Guide to Capitalism, Nature, and the Future of the Planet. Verso. https://www.versobooks.com/products/817-a-history-of-the-world-in-seven-cheap-things on the abstract domination of capitalism: Postone, M. (1993). Time, Labor and Social Domination. A Reinterpretation of Marx's Critical Theory. Cambridge University Press. https://files.libcom.org/files/Moishe%20Postone%20-%20Time,%20Labor,%20and%20Social%20Domination.pdf Mau, S. (2023). Mute Compulsion. A Marxist Theory of the Economic Power of Capital. Verso. https://www.versobooks.com/products/2759-mute-compulsion Leipold, B. (2024). Citizen Marx. Republicanism and the Formation of Karl Marx's Social and Political Thought. Princeton University Press. https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691205236/citizen-marx on GDP (Gross Domestic Product): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gross_domestic_product on the Five-Year Plans in the Soviet Union: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five-year_plans_of_the_Soviet_Union Katsenelinboigen, A. (1977). Coloured Markets in the Soviet Union. Soviet Studies. Vol. 29, No.1. 62-85. https://www.jstor.org/stable/150728 Uvalić, M. (2018). The Rise and Fall of Market Socialism in Yugoslavia. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331223694_The_Rise_and_Fall_of_Market_Socialism_in_Yugoslavia on Friedrich Hayek: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Hayek Hayek, F. A. (1945). The Use of Knowledge in Society. The American Economic Review, 35(4), 519–530. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1809376 on the Pareto Optimum: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_efficiency on Rational Choice Theory: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rational_choice_model on Behavioral Economics: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_economics on Otto Neurath: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Neurath on Neurath's technocratic tendencies: https://jacobin.com/2023/02/technocratic-socialism-otto-neurath-utopianism-capitalism on Joseph Raz: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Raz on Utilitarianism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilitarianism on the Capability Approach by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capability_approach on the Human Development Index (HDI): https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI on the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs): https://sdgs.un.org/goals on Multi-Objective Optimization: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-objective_optimization Saros, D. E. (2014). Information Technology and Socialist Construction. The End of Capital and the Transition to Socialism. Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/Information-Technology-and-Socialist-Construction-The-End-of-Capital-and-the-Transition-to-Socialism/Saros/p/book/9780415742924 on Neoclassical Economics: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoclassical_economics on Citizen Assemblies and Sortition: https://www.sortitionfoundation.org/ on John Stuart Mill: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stuart_Mill Mill, J. S. (2011). On Liberty. Cambridge University Press. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/on-liberty/62EC27F1E66E2BCBA29DDCD5294B3DE0 McCabe, H. (2021). John Stuart Mill, Socialist. McGill-Queen's University Press. https://www.mqup.ca/john-stuart-mill--socialist-products-9780228005742.php on Degrowth: https://degrowth.info/ on Nick Land and Right Accelerationism: https://youtu.be/lrOVKHg_PJQ?si=Q4oFbaM1p4fhcWP0 on Left Accelerationism: https://criticallegalthinking.com/2013/05/14/accelerate-manifesto-for-an-accelerationist-politics/ Devine, P. (2002). Participatory Planning through Negotiated Coordination. Science & Society, Vol. 66, No. 1, 72-85. https://guilfordjournals.com/doi/abs/10.1521/siso.66.1.72.21001?journalCode=siso on Oskar R. Lange: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oskar_R._Lange on Lange's neoclassical approach to Socialism: https://jacobin.com/2022/10/oskar-lange-neoclassical-marxism-limits-of-capitalism-economic-theory Kowalik, T. (1990). Lange-Lerner Mechanism. In: Eatwell, J., Milgate, M., Newman, P. (eds). Problems of the Planned Economy. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-349-20863-0_21 on Joseph Schumpeters concept of Creative Destruction: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creative_destruction Shaikh, A. (2016). Capitalism. Competition, Conflict, Crises. Oxford Academic. https://academic.oup.com/book/1464 Kornai, J. (1980). “Hard” and “Soft” Budget Constraint. Acta Oeconomica, 25(3/4), 231–245. https://www.jstor.org/stable/40728773 on the Cobb-Douglas Production Function: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobb%E2%80%93Douglas_production_function on Adam Smith: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Smith Lutosch, H. (2025). Embracing the Small Stuff. Caring for Children in a Liberated Society. In: Groos, J., & Sorg, C. (Eds.). (2025). Creative Construction. Democratic Planning in the 21st Century and Beyond. Bristol University Press. https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/creative-construction Hahnel, R. (2021). Democratic Economic Planning. Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/Democratic-Economic-Planning/Hahnel/p/book/9781032003320 Cockshott, P. & Cottrell, A. (1993). Towards a New Socialism. Spokesman. https://users.wfu.edu/cottrell/socialism_book/new_socialism.pdf on Universal Basic Services (UBS): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_basic_services https://autonomy.work/ubs-hub/ Fraser, N. & Sorg, C. (2025). Socialism, Planning and the Relativity of Dirt. In: Groos, J., & Sorg, C. (Eds.). (2025). Creative Construction. Democratic Planning in the 21st Century and Beyond. Bristol University Press. https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/creative-construction on Milton Friedman: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milton_Friedman on John Maynard Keynes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Maynard_Keynes Aaron on what to learn from radical Keynesianism for a transitionary Program: Benanav, A. & Henwood, D. (2025). Behind the News. Beyond the Capitalist Economy w/ Aaron Benanav. https://open.spotify.com/episode/2diIiFkkM4x7MoZhi9e0tx on Socializing Finance: McCarthy, M. A. (2025). The Master's Tools. How Finance Wrecked Democracy (And a Radical Plan to Rebuild It). Verso. https://www.versobooks.com/products/755-the-master-s-tools Future Histories Episodes on Related Topics S3E47 | Jason W. Moore on Socialism in the Web of Life https://www.futurehistories.today/episoden-blog/s03/e47-jason-w-moore-on-socialism-in-the-web-of-life/ S03E29 | Nancy Fraser on Alternatives to Capitalism https://www.futurehistories.today/episoden-blog/s03/e29-nancy-fraser-on-alternatives-to-capitalism/ S03E04 | Tim Platenkamp on Republican Socialism, General Planning and Parametric Control https://www.futurehistories.today/episoden-blog/s03/e04-tim-platenkamp-on-republican-socialism-general-planning-and-parametric-control/ S02E33 | Pat Devine on Negotiated Coordination https://www.futurehistories.today/episoden-blog/s02/e33-pat-devine-on-negotiated-coordination/ S03E10 | Aaron Benanav on Associational Socialism and Democratic Planning https://www.futurehistories.today/episoden-blog/s02/e10-aaron-benanav-on-associational-socialism-and-democratic-planning/ S01E32 | Daniel E. Saros on Digital Socialism and the Abolition of Capital (Part 2) https://www.futurehistories.today/episoden-blog/s01/e32-daniel-e-saros-on-digital-socialism-and-the-abolition-of-capital-part-2/ S02E31 | Daniel E. Saros on Digital Socialism and the Abolition of Capital (Part 1) https://www.futurehistories.today/episoden-blog/s01/e31-daniel-e-saros-on-digital-socialism-and-the-abolition-of-capital-part-1/ --- If you are interested in democratic economic planning, these resources might be of help: Democratic planning – an information website https://www.democratic-planning.com/ Sorg, C. & Groos, J. (eds.)(2025). Rethinking Economic Planning. Competition & Change Special Issue Volume 29 Issue 1. https://journals.sagepub.com/toc/ccha/29/1 Groos, J. & Sorg, C. (2025). Creative Construction - Democratic Planning in the 21st Century and Beyond. Bristol University Press. [for a review copy, please contact: amber.lanfranchi[at]bristol.ac.uk] https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/creative-construction International Network for Democratic Economic Planning https://www.indep.network/ Democratic Planning Research Platform: https://www.planningresearch.net/ --- Future Histories Contact & Support If you like Future Histories, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/join/FutureHistories Contact: office@futurehistories.today Twitter: https://twitter.com/FutureHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurehpodcast/ Mastodon: https://mstdn.social/@FutureHistories English webpage: https://futurehistories-international.com   Episode Keywords #AaronBenanav, #JanGroos, #Interview, #FutureHistories, #FutureHistoriesInternational, #futurehistoriesinternational, #Transition, #DemocraticPlanning, #Keynes, #Efficiency, #Economics, #NeoclassicalEconomics, #NeoclassicalSocialism, #OttoNeurath, #DemocraticEconomicPlanning, #Capitalism, #Economics, #Socialism, #Socialisation, #Investment, #Degrowth, #UniversalBasicServices, #CareWork

You can plan every detail of your life... but life's not exactly checking your Google Calendar.In this episode, Kerrie opens up about all the times her “perfect plans” went sideways,  from marriage and running her boutique, to real estate during a pandemic, to accidentally becoming a Beauty Creator online.Through every twist, she learned one powerful truth: you'll never be fully ready, and that's the point.This is your reminder to pivot with grace, chase your passions, and start before you're ready...because sometimes the detour is actually the destination. xoConnect with Kerrie:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thekerriesmart/TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@thekerriesmart?_t=8nOlgVL9M29&_r=1YouTube https://youtube.com/@kerriesmart

The recent conclusion of China's Fourth Plenum has shed light on the strategic direction of the 15th Five-Year Plan, highlighting key priorities such as boosting domestic consumption, advancing technological self-reliance, and expanding into new export markets. Following the Plenum, Chinese President Xi also met with US President Trump in South Korea, reaching a mutual agreement to pause key trade escalations for a year. What do these developments mean for the future of US-China relations, and can Chinese markets continue its bull run in 2026? This episode is presented by Richard Tang, Head of Research Hong Kong at Julius Baer and Hong Hao, Managing Partner and CIO of Lotus Asset Management Ltd.

Five members of a 21-person family-run syndicate based in northern Myanmar were sentenced to death by a Chinese court on Tuesday for multiple charges, including crimes that resulted in the deaths of six Chinese nationals.周二，中国某法院对缅甸北部一个21人家庭式犯罪团伙中的5名成员判处死刑，其罪名包括致6名中国公民死亡等多项罪行。Two other syndicate members received the death penalty with a two-year reprieve, while five were given life imprisonment. The remaining nine members were sentenced to prison terms ranging from three to 20 years, along with corresponding supplementary penalties such as fines, confiscation of property and deportation, according to the ruling announced by the Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court in Guangdong province.据广东省深圳市中级人民法院宣读的判决结果显示，该团伙另有2名成员被判处死刑、缓期二年执行，5名成员被判处无期徒刑，剩余9名成员被判处3年至20年不等的有期徒刑，同时还被处以罚金、没收财产、驱逐出境等相应附加刑。The court found the defendants guilty of 12 crimes, including fraud, intentional homicide and intentional injury. The court explained the sentences were handed down based on each individual's level of criminal involvement, the specific circumstances of their offenses and the measure of harm caused to society.法院认定，上述被告人犯有诈骗罪、故意杀人罪、故意伤害罪等12项罪名。法院解释称，此次量刑是根据每名被告人的犯罪参与程度、具体犯罪情节以及对社会造成的危害程度依法作出的。Following an investigation, the court said the syndicate, headed by Bay Saw Chain and Bay Yin Chin, used its influence and armed forces in Myanmar's Kokang region to set up 41 compounds through independent and joint development.经调查查明，以白所成、白应苍为首的该犯罪团伙，利用其在缅甸果敢地区的势力及武装力量，通过独立开发与合作开发的方式，设立了41个据点。Having persuaded others to provide funds and armed support, they worked with these financiers and weapons dealers to carry out criminal activities, including telecom fraud, intentional killings, extortion, kidnapping and forcing people into prostitution, the court noted.法院指出，该团伙拉拢他人提供资金与武装支持，并与这些资金提供者及军火商相互勾结，实施电信诈骗、故意杀人、敲诈勒索、绑架、强迫卖淫等犯罪活动。The syndicate's offenses led to the deaths of six Chinese nationals, the suicide of another Chinese national and injuries to several others. The amount of money involved in its gambling and fraud operations exceeded 29 billion yuan ($4 billion).Bay Yin Chin also colluded with others to smuggle and manufacture approximately 11 metric tons of methamphetamine, it added.该团伙的犯罪行为已导致6名中国公民死亡、1名中国公民自杀，另有数人受伤。其涉赌及涉诈骗资金规模超过290亿元人民币（约合40亿美元）。法院补充称，白应苍还伙同他人走私、制造甲基苯丙胺（冰毒）约11吨。The syndicate was found to have committed widespread telecom scams targeting Chinese people since 2015.经查，该团伙自2015年起便针对中国公民实施大规模电信诈骗活动。In November 2023, China's Ministry of Public Security instructed the Shenzhen police to handle the case, and ringleaders Bay Saw Chain and Bay Yin Chin were soon apprehended and handed over to Chinese police.2023年11月，中国公安部指令深圳市警方侦办此案，团伙头目白所成、白应苍随后被迅速抓获，并移交中国警方。In recent years, with intensified joint law enforcement cooperation and anti-fraud operations between China and Myanmar, a number of cases have entered the judicial system. For instance, in late September, a court in Zhejiang province convicted 39 members of another family-run syndicate based in northern Myanmar of 14 offenses, including fraud and intentional homicide. Among them, 11 defendants were sentenced to death.近年来，随着中国与缅甸加强联合执法合作及反诈骗行动，多起跨境犯罪案件已进入司法审理程序。例如，9月底，浙江省某法院对缅甸北部另一个家庭式犯罪团伙的39名成员作出判决，认定该团伙犯有诈骗罪、故意杀人罪等14项罪名，其中11名被告人被判处死刑。Data released by the Ministry of Public Security in July showed Chinese police had solved nearly 1.74 million cases of telecom fraud during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period. The joint operations dismantled more than 2,000 overseas fraud centers and led to the capture of over 80,000 suspects.中国公安部7月发布的数据显示，“十四五”规划期间（2021-2025年），中国警方已破获电信诈骗案件近174万起。通过联合行动，警方捣毁境外诈骗窝点超2000个，抓获犯罪嫌疑人逾8万名。syndicate/ˈsɪndɪkət/n.犯罪团伙

尊敬的李在明总统， Your Excellency President Lee Jae-myung, 各位同事： Colleagues, 很高兴来到韩国历史文化名城庆州，同大家共谋亚太发展大计。感谢李在明总统和韩国政府的周到安排。 It is my great pleasure to be here in Gyeongju, a city of rich history and culture, to join you in discussing the future of the Asia-Pacific. Let me begin by thanking President Lee Jae-myung and the ROK government for the thoughtful arrangement. 亚太经合组织成立30多年来，从勾画亚太自由贸易区蓝图到推动建设亚太共同体，引领亚太地区走在全球开放发展前列，助力亚太成为全球经济最具活力的地区。 Over the past 30-plus years since its founding, from drafting the blueprint of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) to advancing the vision of an Asia-Pacific community, APEC has been spearheading the region's rise to the forefront of global open development, and has made the Asia-Pacific the most dynamic part of the global economy. 当前，世界百年变局加速演进，国际形势变乱交织，亚太地区发展面临的不稳定不确定因素增多。越是风高浪急，越要同舟共济。我们要坚守亚太经合组织促进经济增长、增进人民福祉的初衷，坚持在开放发展中分享机遇、实现共赢，推进普惠包容的经济全球化，构建亚太共同体。为此，我提5点建议。 Currently, changes unseen in a century are accelerating across the world. The international situation is fluid and turbulent. The Asia-Pacific faces growing uncertainties and destabilizing factors in its development. The rougher the seas, the more we must pull together. We should stay true to APEC's founding mission to promote economic growth and improve people's lives, and champion open development where everyone shares opportunities and emerges a winner. We should promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and build an Asia-Pacific community. To this end, I wish to make five proposals. 一是共同维护多边贸易体制。践行真正的多边主义，提高以世界贸易组织为核心的多边贸易体制的权威性和有效性。坚持世界贸易组织改革的正确方向，维护最惠国待遇、非歧视等基本原则，推动国际经贸规则与时俱进，更好保障发展中国家正当权益。 First, we should work together to safeguard the multilateral trading system. We must practice true multilateralism, and enhance the authority and effectiveness of the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core. We should stick to the right direction of WTO reform, uphold the most-favored-nation (MFN), nondiscrimination and other fundamental principles, and update international economic and trade rules to reflect the changing times, so as to better protect the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries. 二是共同营造开放型区域经济环境。持续推进贸易和投资自由化便利化，深化财金领域合作，稳步推进区域经济一体化进程。把握《区域全面经济伙伴关系协定》高质量实施和《全面与进步跨太平洋伙伴关系协定》扩员契机，推动彼此对接、融合共进，为亚太自由贸易区建设聚势汇能。 Second, we should work together to build an open economic environment in the region. We should keep promoting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, deepen fiscal and financial cooperation, and steadily push for regional economic integration. With the RCEP being implemented to high standards and the CPTPP membership expanding, we should help the two align with each other and progress together so as to inject impetus into the development of the FTAAP. 三是共同维护产业链供应链稳定畅通。坚持“拉手”而不是“松手”、“延链”而不是“断链”，积极寻找更多利益契合点，支持供应链开放发展。以《亚太经合组织互联互通蓝图》实施10周年为契机，不断做实做细硬联通、软联通、心联通，进一步夯实亚太地区开放发展基础。 Third, we should work together to keep industrial and supply chains stable and smooth. We must join hands rather than part ways, and strengthen our links rather than sever them. We should vigorously expand our common interests, and support the open development of supply chains. The tenth anniversary of the APEC Connectivity Blueprint gives us a good opportunity to strive for concrete and tangible results in physical, institutional and people-to-people connectivity so as to further consolidate the foundations for open development in our region. 四是共同推进贸易数字化绿色化。充分发挥数字技术对跨境贸易的促进作用，推进无纸贸易、智慧海关等务实合作。破除各种绿色壁垒，拓展绿色产业、清洁能源和绿色矿产合作。中方在亚太经合组织首倡设立的亚太示范电子口岸网络、绿色供应链网络，已经成为区域贸易数字化绿色化合作的重要平台。 Fourth, we should work together to advance the digital and green transformation of trade. We should make digital technologies a strong catalyst for cross-border trade, and promote practical cooperation in paperless trade, smart customs and other areas. We must remove various green barriers, and expand cooperation in green industries, clean energy and green minerals. The Asia-Pacific Model E-port Network and the Cooperation Network on Green Supply Chain initiated by China under APEC have become important platforms for regional cooperation on the digital and green upgrades for trade. 五是共同促进普惠包容发展。坚持以人民为中心的发展理念，着力解决发展不平衡问题，推动经济全球化更加包容、更可持续，更好惠及地区全体人民。中方同各方合作推进高质量共建“一带一路”，支持更多发展中国家实现现代化，为全球发展开辟新空间。中国已给予同我国建交的最不发达国家100%税目产品零关税待遇，愿通过商签共同发展经济伙伴关系协定落实对非洲建交国实施100%税目产品零关税措施，致力于同各国共同发展、共享繁荣。 Fifth, we should work together to promote universally beneficial and inclusive development. We should adhere to the people-centered development philosophy, focus on imbalances in development, and foster an economic globalization that is more inclusive, sustainable, and beneficial to all peoples in the region. China is working with various parties to promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and supports the modernization drive of more developing countries, which will help open up new space for global development. We have given zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent tariff lines from the least developed countries having diplomatic relations with China, and stand ready to extend the same treatment to all African countries having diplomatic relations with China through the signing of agreements on economic partnership for shared development. We will continue to strive for common development and shared prosperity with all nations. 各位同事！ Colleagues, 中国始终坚持对外开放的基本国策，以实际行动推动建设开放型世界经济。过去5年，中国货物和服务贸易规模位居全球第一和第二，累计吸引外资逾7000亿美元，对外投资年均增速超过5%。中国的外资准入负面清单持续缩减，单方面免签持续扩容，自主开放和单边开放有序扩大，22个自贸试验区主动对接国际高标准经贸规则。中国对外开放的大门不会关闭，只会越开越大。 China always pursues the basic state policy of opening up, and has taken real steps to promote an open world economy. Over the past five years, China has ranked as the world's largest trader in goods and the second largest in services. It has attracted more than 700 billion US dollars in foreign investment in total, and its outbound investment has been increasing by over five percent on annual average. We have been shortening the negative list for foreign investment, and applying the unilateral visa-free policy to more countries. We are steadily expanding voluntary and unilateral opening up, and have actively aligned with high-standard international economic and trade rules through our 22 pilot free trade zones. China's door to the world will not close; it will only open wider and wider. 不久前，中共二十届四中全会通过了关于制定“十五五”规划的建议。中方将以此为契机，进一步全面深化改革，坚定不移扩大高水平对外开放，不断以中国式现代化新成就为亚太和世界提供新机遇。 A few days ago, the Recommendations for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan were adopted at the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. We will take this opportunity to further deepen reform comprehensively and expand high-standard opening up, and create new opportunities for the Asia-Pacific and the world through the latest achievements of Chinese modernization. 谢谢大家！ Thank you.

NEWS: The China Boom: Think Tank Pushes PH to Rebuild Economic Ties to Leverage 15th Five-Year Plan | Nov. 2, 2025Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net Follow us: Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital Check out our Podcasts: Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer Stitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcherTune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein#TheManilaTimes#KeepUpWithTheTimes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with the looming Trump-Xi meeting in Seoul, South Korea, and the "consensuses" agreed upon in Kuala Lampur this past weekend. Topics include: Treasury Scott Bessent's comments indicate that the recent rare earth export controls could be delayed by a year, questions about what the U.S. might have conceded to secure that delay, talk of removing fentanyl tariffs, how Beijing sees the US in 2025, and a Trump visit to Beijing that may portend relative stability in the short term. At the end: Parsing the five-year plan and two stories about the Chinese economy, the scale of Europe's Nexperia problem becomes clearer, and thoughts on the challenge facing Europe and the United States as they attempt to build secure supply chains in the years to come.

China's benchmark Shanghai Composite Index briefly topped the 4,000-point mark on Tuesday morning — for the first time in a decade — reflecting growing investor confidence in the economic prospects of the country as it readies to advance innovation-driven, high-quality development over the next five years.周二上午，中国基准股指上证指数一度突破4000点关口——这是近十年来的首次突破。当前中国正为未来五年推进创新驱动的高质量发展做准备，此次指数突破反映出投资者对中国经济前景的信心不断增强。Analysts said China's stock market is set to emerge as a preferred and important destination for global investors amid rising market resiliency, with the latest refinements to the qualified foreign institutional investor mechanism further facilitating the entry of long-term overseas capital.分析师表示，随着中国股市韧性持续提升，加之合格境外机构投资者（QFII）机制近期优化，进一步便利了境外长期资金入市，中国股市有望成为全球投资者青睐的重要投资目的地。On Tuesday morning, the Shanghai Composite Index hit 4,010.73 points, the highest since July 2015, led by stocks related to Fujian province, before retreating on profit-taking pressures to close at 3,988.22 points.周二上午，上证指数盘中触及4010.73点，创下2015年7月以来的最高点位，福建相关概念股成为推动指数上涨的主力。不过，受获利了结压力影响，指数随后回落，最终收于3988.22点。Yang Delong, chief economist at First Seafront Fund, said the surge that saw the index surpassing the 4,000-point mark 10 years ago was primarily driven by infrastructure and real estate stocks. In contrast, the latest market uptrend was mainly led by high-tech industries, reflecting a shift in market structure and the progress of China's economic transformation.前海开源基金首席经济学家杨德龙指出，十年前上证指数突破4000点的行情主要由基建和地产股推动；与之不同，此次市场上涨主要由高科技产业领涨，这一差异既体现了市场结构的转变，也反映出中国经济转型的进展。The Shanghai Composite Index has risen 19 percent so far this year, while the STAR 50 Index and the ChiNext Index, two gauges tracking China's tech-oriented and innovative enterprises, have surged over 48 percent and 50 percent, respectively.今年以来，上证指数累计涨幅已达19%；而跟踪中国科技型、创新型企业的两大指数——科创50指数和创业板指数，同期涨幅分别超过48%和50%。The recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for national economic and social development, adopted at the fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee, set achieving significant progress in high-quality development and substantially enhancing the capacity for scientific and technological self-reliance as main targets for the coming five years.中共二十届四中全会审议通过了《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》，将“高质量发展取得显著成效”“科技自立自强能力大幅提升”列为未来五年的主要目标。Alex Zhang, a portfolio manager at global asset management company Fidelity International, said that the session, charting the path of China's economic development over the next five years, has strengthened investor confidence in the country's focus on developing new quality productive forces that are "independent and controllable".富达国际（全球资产管理公司）投资组合经理张弛（音译）表示，此次全会明确了中国未来五年的经济发展路径，让投资者更加坚信中国会聚焦发展“自主可控”的新质生产力，极大提振了市场信心。"We reiterate our optimism about four major investment tracks — artificial intelligence, aerospace, the low-altitude economy and innovative consumption," Zhang said. "We are full of confidence in China's innovation-driven transformation and high-quality development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period."“我们重申对四大投资赛道的乐观预期，即人工智能、航空航天、低空经济和创新消费，”张弛称，“对于‘十五五'期间中国通过创新驱动实现转型、推动高质量发展，我们充满信心。”Another key factor supporting investor confidence has been China's continued capital market reform and opening-up. At the Annual Conference of Financial Street Forum 2025 on Monday in Beijing, Wu Qing, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, vowed to introduce a series of measures to deepen capital market reform on both the investment and financing fronts, underscoring China's commitment to fostering the steady and healthy development of its capital market.支撑投资者信心的另一关键因素是中国资本市场持续推进改革与开放。周一在北京举办的2025年金融街论坛年会上，中国证券监督管理委员会主席吴清承诺，将推出一系列措施，从投资端和融资端双向深化资本市场改革，彰显中国推动资本市场平稳健康发展的坚定决心。In another development, the commission unveiled on Monday the most comprehensive upgrade to the qualified foreign institutional investor program since 2020, which allows approved overseas institutions to invest in China's domestic securities markets, marking a concrete step in advancing institutional opening-up.此外，中国证监会于周一宣布对合格境外机构投资者（QFII）制度进行2020年以来最全面的升级。该制度允许获批境外机构投资中国境内证券市场，此次升级是中国推进制度型开放的具体举措。According to a two-year working plan, key measures include allowing qualified foreign investors to use exchange-traded fund options for risk management, expanding their access to commodity futures and options trading, integrating qualification approval with account opening under a single streamlined procedure, and unifying short-term trading rules to ensure equal treatment for foreign and domestic institutions.根据一份为期两年的工作方案，此次升级的重点措施包括：允许合格境外投资者运用交易所交易基金（ETF）期权进行风险管理；扩大其参与商品期货和期权交易的范围；将资格审批与账户开立整合为单一简化流程；统一短期交易规则，确保境外机构与境内机构享受同等待遇。benchmark/ˈbentʃmɑːk/n.基准指标resiliency/rɪˈzɪliənsi/n.承受压力并快速恢复的能力streamlined/ˈstriːmlaɪnd/adj.高效的；简洁的

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.

From October 20-23, the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party held its Fourth Plenum in Beijing, marking an important moment as the Party sets the direction for China's development for the next five years. The session adopted recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan, endorsing Xi Jinping's goals of high-quality development, scientific and technological self-reliance, and strengthening national security in response to rising global instabilities. The Central Committee also announced the replacement of 11 members, the highest personnel turnover since 2017 amid an ongoing anti-corruption purge in the military. To discuss the plenum's outcomes, we are joined by Jonathan Czin. Jonathan is a leading expert on Chinese politics and foreign policy. He holds the Michael H. Armacost Chair in Foreign Policy Studies and is a fellow in the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution. He previously led the intelligence community's analysis of Chinese politics and policy making at the CIA and also spent two years as director for China at the National Security Council during the Biden administration.  Timestamps:  [00:00] Start  [01:36] Why the Fourth Plenum Matters  [03:37] Key Takeaways: Policy Continuity and Political Purges  [05:07] Zhang Shengmin and Xi Jinping's Military Ambitions  [09:23] Signals and Adjustments in Economic Planning  [11:56] Previewing the 15th Five-Year Plan  [13:33] Xi Jinping's Growing Confidence  [17:42] Political Messaging and Choreography  [20:21] Language in the Communique: “Strategic Resolve”  [22:28] What to Expect from the Xi-Trump Summit  [26:38] Is Beijing Worried the Summit Could Backfire? 

China has released details of the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for social and economic development, adopted at last week's leadership meeting of the Communist Party of China.

In this special roundtable, we are joined by a group of young foreign students who bring a fresh perspective on China and the world. Many of them have studied, worked, and traveled across China, experiencing firsthand the changes shaping daily life and the nation's growth. What is their take on China's next chapter? With the guiding recommendations of the 15th Five-Year Plan already on the table, how do they see China's priorities for the next five years?

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?

Aaron Benanav discusses the first part of his ‘Beyond Capitalism' essay series in the New Left Review. In this part he lays the groundwork for his proposal of a multi-criterial economy. SASE - Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics: https://sase.org/ SASE Network I: Alternatives to Capitalism (including CfP): https://sase.org/networks/i-alternatives-to-capitalism/     Shownotes Aaron at Cornell University: https://cals.cornell.edu/people/aaron-benanav Aaron's personal website: https://www.aaronbenanav.com/ Access to Aaron's paywalled publications: https://www.aaronbenanav.com/papers Mailing List to join the Movement for Multi-Dimensional Economics: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUF7MZ2jQJXY_wHKn5xSIo-_L0tkMO-SG079sa5lGhRJTgqg/viewform Benanav, A. (2025). Beyond Capitalism—1. New Left Review, Issue 153, 65–128. https://newleftreview.org/issues/ii153/articles/aaron-benanav-beyond-capitalism-1 Benanav, A. (2025). Beyond Capitalism—2. New Left Review, Issue 154, 97–143. https://newleftreview.org/issues/ii154/articles/aaron-benanav-beyond-capitalism-2 Benanv, A. (2020). Automation and the Future of Work. Verso. https://www.versobooks.com/products/2682-automation-and-the-future-of-work on economic stagnation, see especially chapter 3, “In the Shadow of Stagnation”. on Marx's concept of the Value-Form: https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1867-c1/appendix.htm Moore, J.W. & Patel, R. (2020). A History of the World in Seven Cheap Things. A Guide to Capitalism, Nature, and the Future of the Planet. Verso. https://www.versobooks.com/products/817-a-history-of-the-world-in-seven-cheap-things on the abstract domination of capitalism: Postone, M. (1993). Time, Labor and Social Domination. A Reinterpretation of Marx's Critical Theory. Cambridge University Press. https://files.libcom.org/files/Moishe%20Postone%20-%20Time,%20Labor,%20and%20Social%20Domination.pdf Mau, S. (2023). Mute Compulsion. A Marxist Theory of the Economic Power of Capital. Verso. https://www.versobooks.com/products/2759-mute-compulsion Leipold, B. (2024). Citizen Marx. Republicanism and the Formation of Karl Marx's Social and Political Thought. Princeton University Press. https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691205236/citizen-marx on GDP (Gross Domestic Product): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gross_domestic_product on the Five-Year Plans in the Soviet Union: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five-year_plans_of_the_Soviet_Union Katsenelinboigen, A. (1977). Coloured Markets in the Soviet Union. Soviet Studies. Vol. 29, No.1. 62-85. https://www.jstor.org/stable/150728 Uvalić, M. (2018). The Rise and Fall of Market Socialism in Yugoslavia. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331223694_The_Rise_and_Fall_of_Market_Socialism_in_Yugoslavia on Friedrich Hayek: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Hayek Hayek, F. A. (1945). The Use of Knowledge in Society. The American Economic Review, 35(4), 519–530. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1809376 on the Pareto Optimum: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_efficiency on Rational Choice Theory: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rational_choice_model on Behavioral Economics: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_economics on Otto Neurath: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Neurath on Neurath's technocratic tendencies: https://jacobin.com/2023/02/technocratic-socialism-otto-neurath-utopianism-capitalism on Joseph Raz: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Raz on Utilitarianism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilitarianism on the Capability Approach by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capability_approach on the Human Development Index (HDI): https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI on the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs): https://sdgs.un.org/goals on Multi-Objective Optimization: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-objective_optimization Saros, D. E. (2014). Information Technology and Socialist Construction. The End of Capital and the Transition to Socialism. Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/Information-Technology-and-Socialist-Construction-The-End-of-Capital-and-the-Transition-to-Socialism/Saros/p/book/9780415742924 on Neoclassical Economics: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoclassical_economics on Citizen Assemblies and Sortition: https://www.sortitionfoundation.org/ on John Stuart Mill: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stuart_Mill Mill, J. S. (2011). On Liberty. Cambridge University Press. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/on-liberty/62EC27F1E66E2BCBA29DDCD5294B3DE0 McCabe, H. (2021). John Stuart Mill, Socialist. McGill-Queen's University Press. https://www.mqup.ca/john-stuart-mill--socialist-products-9780228005742.php on Degrowth: https://degrowth.info/ on Nick Land and Right Accelerationism: https://youtu.be/lrOVKHg_PJQ?si=Q4oFbaM1p4fhcWP0 on Left Accelerationism: https://criticallegalthinking.com/2013/05/14/accelerate-manifesto-for-an-accelerationist-politics/ Devine, P. (2002). Participatory Planning through Negotiated Coordination. Science & Society, Vol. 66, No. 1, 72-85. https://guilfordjournals.com/doi/abs/10.1521/siso.66.1.72.21001?journalCode=siso on Oskar R. Lange: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oskar_R._Lange on Lange's neoclassical approach to Socialism: https://jacobin.com/2022/10/oskar-lange-neoclassical-marxism-limits-of-capitalism-economic-theory Kowalik, T. (1990). Lange-Lerner Mechanism. In: Eatwell, J., Milgate, M., Newman, P. (eds). Problems of the Planned Economy. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-349-20863-0_21 on Joseph Schumpeters concept of Creative Destruction: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creative_destruction Shaikh, A. (2016). Capitalism. Competition, Conflict, Crises. Oxford Academic. https://academic.oup.com/book/1464 Kornai, J. (1980). “Hard” and “Soft” Budget Constraint. Acta Oeconomica, 25(3/4), 231–245. https://www.jstor.org/stable/40728773 on the Cobb-Douglas Production Function: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobb%E2%80%93Douglas_production_function on Adam Smith: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Smith Lutosch, H. (2025). Embracing the Small Stuff. Caring for Children in a Liberated Society. In: Groos, J., & Sorg, C. (Eds.). (2025). Creative Construction. Democratic Planning in the 21st Century and Beyond. Bristol University Press. https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/creative-construction Hahnel, R. (2021). Democratic Economic Planning. Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/Democratic-Economic-Planning/Hahnel/p/book/9781032003320 Cockshott, P. & Cottrell, A. (1993). Towards a New Socialism. Spokesman. https://users.wfu.edu/cottrell/socialism_book/new_socialism.pdf on Universal Basic Services (UBS): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_basic_services https://autonomy.work/ubs-hub/ Fraser, N. & Sorg, C. (2025). Socialism, Planning and the Relativity of Dirt. In: Groos, J., & Sorg, C. (Eds.). (2025). Creative Construction. Democratic Planning in the 21st Century and Beyond. Bristol University Press. https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/creative-construction on Milton Friedman: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milton_Friedman on John Maynard Keynes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Maynard_Keynes Aaron on what to learn from radical Keynesianism for a transitionary Program: Benanav, A. & Henwood, D. (2025). Behind the News. Beyond the Capitalist Economy w/ Aaron Benanav. https://open.spotify.com/episode/2diIiFkkM4x7MoZhi9e0tx on Socializing Finance: McCarthy, M. A. (2025). The Master's Tools. How Finance Wrecked Democracy (And a Radical Plan to Rebuild It). Verso. https://www.versobooks.com/products/755-the-master-s-tools Future Histories Episodes on Related Topics S3E47 | Jason W. Moore on Socialism in the Web of Life https://www.futurehistories.today/episoden-blog/s03/e47-jason-w-moore-on-socialism-in-the-web-of-life/ S03E29 | Nancy Fraser on Alternatives to Capitalism https://www.futurehistories.today/episoden-blog/s03/e29-nancy-fraser-on-alternatives-to-capitalism/ S03E04 | Tim Platenkamp on Republican Socialism, General Planning and Parametric Control https://www.futurehistories.today/episoden-blog/s03/e04-tim-platenkamp-on-republican-socialism-general-planning-and-parametric-control/ S02E33 | Pat Devine on Negotiated Coordination https://www.futurehistories.today/episoden-blog/s02/e33-pat-devine-on-negotiated-coordination/ S03E10 | Aaron Benanav on Associational Socialism and Democratic Planning https://www.futurehistories.today/episoden-blog/s02/e10-aaron-benanav-on-associational-socialism-and-democratic-planning/ S01E32 | Daniel E. Saros on Digital Socialism and the Abolition of Capital (Part 2) https://www.futurehistories.today/episoden-blog/s01/e32-daniel-e-saros-on-digital-socialism-and-the-abolition-of-capital-part-2/ S02E31 | Daniel E. Saros on Digital Socialism and the Abolition of Capital (Part 1) https://www.futurehistories.today/episoden-blog/s01/e31-daniel-e-saros-on-digital-socialism-and-the-abolition-of-capital-part-1/ --- If you are interested in democratic economic planning, these resources might be of help: Democratic planning – an information website https://www.democratic-planning.com/ Sorg, C. & Groos, J. (eds.)(2025). Rethinking Economic Planning. Competition & Change Special Issue Volume 29 Issue 1. https://journals.sagepub.com/toc/ccha/29/1 Groos, J. & Sorg, C. (2025). Creative Construction - Democratic Planning in the 21st Century and Beyond. Bristol University Press. [for a review copy, please contact: amber.lanfranchi[at]bristol.ac.uk] https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/creative-construction International Network for Democratic Economic Planning https://www.indep.network/ Democratic Planning Research Platform: https://www.planningresearch.net/ --- Future Histories Contact & Support If you like Future Histories, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/join/FutureHistories Contact: office@futurehistories.today Twitter: https://twitter.com/FutureHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurehpodcast/ Mastodon: https://mstdn.social/@FutureHistories English webpage: https://futurehistories-international.com   Episode Keywords #AaronBenanav, #JanGroos, #Interview, #FutureHistories, #FutureHistoriesInternational, #futurehistoriesinternational, #Transition, #DemocraticPlanning, #Keynes, #Efficiency, #Economics, #NeoclassicalEconomics, #NeoclassicalSocialism, #OttoNeurath, #DemocraticEconomicPlanning, #Capitalism, #Economics, #Socialism, #Socialisation, #Investment, #Degrowth, #UniversalBasicServices, #CareWork

China's leadership has announced its latest five-year plan for the future. A lot of details are still unknown, but one of government's big ambitions is to strengthen its domestic tech sector. Also, the case of the Guildford Four is considered one of the worst miscarriages of justice in British legal history; decades later, their families say the fight for accountability is still not over. And, 1 in 3 French university students skips a daily meal regularly, as they struggle with rising housing costs and inflation; now, volunteers are coming to help, with groceries and more. Plus, Cape Verde celebrates qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in history.Listen to today's Music Heard on Air. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Senior Chinese officials say the 15th Five-Year Plan period is crucial for building foundations to achieve the country's broader goal of basic socialist modernization by 2035.

China is prioritizing innovative trade and improving the business environment among efforts at further opening up under the 15th Five-Year Plan (01:21). China's Shenzhou-21 spacecraft is at the launch area awaiting liftoff (31:40). And the European Union has failed to agree on a plan to use frozen Russian assets to finance new loans for Ukraine (24:39).

Top Chinese leaders have adopted recommendations for the country's 15th Five-Year Plan during the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. The plan will guide China's economic and social development from 2026 to 2030. According to the session's communique, the blueprint will emphasize high-quality growth, innovation, green development, modern industry, national security, and better education and healthcare. In this episode, we look at how China envisions its development for the next five years. Host Ding Heng is joined by Li Lun, Assistant Professor of Economics at Peking University; Dylan Loh, Associate Professor from Public Policy and Global Affairs Program, Nanyang Technological University; Yao Shujie, Chueng Kong Professor of Economics and Deputy Director of the Department of Social Sciences, Chongqing University.

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's Property Crisis, Deflation, and Structural Obstacles to Consumption Anne Stevenson-Yang with John Batchelor Anne Stevenson-Yang discussed how the persistent property crater has severely dragged down fixed asset investment. Beijing aims to boost the economy via consumption, but the Chinese system is structurally built to communicate only with producers, not average consumers. Furthermore, the deflationary environment encourages people to delay purchases, waiting for lower prices. She views the Five-Year Plans mainly as an "amazing relic" used internally to motivate the sprawling government bureaucracies. 1850

SHOW 10-22-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR HK 1925 THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT XI. FIRST HOUR 9-915 Colonel McCausland Discusses Postponed Budapest Summit, Gaza Ceasefire Instability, and Pentagon Information Control Jeff McCausland with John Batchelor Colonel McCausland explained the Budapest summit postponement, noting Putin demands Ukrainian surrender before a ceasefire. He considered Tomahawks an escalation of firepower, but not a game-changer, with delivery now on hold. McCausland described the Gaza ceasefire as precarious, lacking discussion or plan for Hamas disarmament, which he views as the necessary "red line" for stability. He criticized the Pentagon's new policy blocking journalists from soliciting unauthorized information as an attempt by Secretary Hegseth to control information flow and increase opacity. 915-930 Colonel McCausland Discusses Postponed Budapest Summit, Gaza Ceasefire Instability, and Pentagon Information Control Jeff McCausland with John Batchelor Colonel McCausland explained the Budapest summit postponement, noting Putin demands Ukrainian surrender before a ceasefire. He considered Tomahawks an escalation of firepower, but not a game-changer, with delivery now on hold. McCausland described the Gaza ceasefire as precarious, lacking discussion or plan for Hamas disarmament, which he views as the necessary "red line" for stability. He criticized the Pentagon's new policy blocking journalists from soliciting unauthorized information as an attempt by Secretary Hegseth to control information flow and increase opacity. 930-945 Steve Yates Discusses Australia-US Alliance Strength and Political Turmoil Affecting APEC Summit Steve Yates with John Batchelor Steve Yates confirmed the Trump-Albanese meeting was a net positive, accelerating AUKUS and securing a rare earth deal that addresses supply access. He noted the political turmoil in Beijing, highlighted by uncertainty over Xi Jinping's APEC attendance. This instability is abnormal and reinforces China's unstable political foundation. Yates suggested this instability should push allies to rely more on the first island chain as a reliable balance. 945-1000 Rick Fisher Reports on China's Reusable Rocket Deluge and US Moon Race Political Pressures Rick Fisher with John Batchelor Rick Fisher reported that China has 27 reusable space launch vehicle projects underway, predicting a "deluge" of cheap space services to compete with SpaceX. He noted that President Trump is alarmed that China may win the second race to the moon. Trump pressured NASA Administrator Duffy to open the Human Landing System competition to Blue Origin, signaling that politics and winning the race are paramount, regardless of competitor viability. China's first reusable booster test could occur before year-end. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 Colonel Newsham Discusses Promising US-Australia Rare Earth Deal and Canberra's Dual Strategy Toward China Grant Newsham with John Batchelor Colonel Grant Newsham discussed the promising US-Australia rare earth deal, noting Australia has vast mining capabilities to provide an alternative to China's dominance. China's threat to use export controls might spur free nations to develop alternative supply chains. Newsham noted Canberra is playing a "neat trick," maintaining a firm defense alliance with the US (AUKUS) while maintaining profitable economic ties with Beijing, reflecting an underlying "softness" toward China. 1015-1030 Colonel Newsham Discusses Promising US-Australia Rare Earth Deal and Canberra's Dual Strategy Toward China Grant Newsham with John Batchelor Colonel Grant Newsham discussed the promising US-Australia rare earth deal, noting Australia has vast mining capabilities to provide an alternative to China's dominance. China's threat to use export controls might spur free nations to develop alternative supply chains. Newsham noted Canberra is playing a "neat trick," maintaining a firm defense alliance with the US (AUKUS) while maintaining profitable economic ties with Beijing, reflecting an underlying "softness" toward China. 1030-1045 China's Property Crisis, Deflation, and Structural Obstacles to Consumption Anne Stevenson-Yang with John Batchelor Anne Stevenson-Yang discussed how the persistent property crater has severely dragged down fixed asset investment. Beijing aims to boost the economy via consumption, but the Chinese system is structurally built to communicate only with producers, not average consumers. Furthermore, the deflationary environment encourages people to delay purchases, waiting for lower prices. She views the Five-Year Plans mainly as an "amazing relic" used internally to motivate the sprawling government bureaucracies. 1045-1100 General Zhang Youxia Allegedly Leads PLA Purges Amid Internal CCP Power Struggle General Blaine Holt with John Batchelor General Blaine Holt reported that the purge of nine flag officers was allegedly executed by General Zhang Youxia, not Xi Jinping. Zhang, a top general, began the purges out of fear of becoming a target himself, indicating an internal "civil war" within the CCP factions opposing Xi. Zhang has secured elite military units loyal to him and the People's Liberation Army (PLA), rather than solely the Party, stabilizing the military amidst the turmoil. Zhang's life is at risk if Xi prevails.THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 Peter Berkowitz Analyzes Precarious Gaza Ceasefire and Deep Internal Political Tensions in Israel Peter Berkowitz with John Batchelor Peter Berkowitz stated the Gaza ceasefire is precarious and phase one is incomplete until all deceased hostages' remains are returned, aligning with Israeli public and governmental sentiment. Hamas may be stalling negotiations to rearm. Berkowitz noted sharp internal tensions in Israel, driven by opposition to Netanyahu, resentment over judicial reform, and economic exhaustion from military service. He finds it unlikely that the peace plan, which requires Hamas disarmament, will be fully realized. 1115-1130 Peter Berkowitz Analyzes Precarious Gaza Ceasefire and Deep Internal Political Tensions in Israel Peter Berkowitz with John Batchelor Peter Berkowitz stated the Gaza ceasefire is precarious and phase one is incomplete until all deceased hostages' remains are returned, aligning with Israeli public and governmental sentiment. Hamas may be stalling negotiations to rearm. Berkowitz noted sharp internal tensions in Israel, driven by opposition to Netanyahu, resentment over judicial reform, and economic exhaustion from military service. He finds it unlikely that the peace plan, which requires Hamas disarmament, will be fully realized. 1130-1145 GOP Voters Found More Moderate on Fiscal Issues and Driven by Cultural Anti-Progressivism, According to New Analysis Ryan Streeter with John Batchelor Ryan Streeter discussed findings showing Republican voters are more moderate than portrayed, especially on entitlement cuts. They prioritize a healthy economy and law and order. Isolationism is not prominent, though they oppose excessive foreign spending. MAGA Republicanism is defined primarily by cultural issues, like anti-progressivism and concern over immigration, often outweighing economic policies like tariffs. Streeter concludes that rank and file voters are not as radical as national politics suggest. 1145-1200 GOP Voters Found More Moderate on Fiscal Issues and Driven by Cultural Anti-Progressivism, According to New Analysis Ryan Streeter with John Batchelor Ryan Streeter discussed findings showing Republican voters are more moderate than portrayed, especially on entitlement cuts. They prioritize a healthy economy and law and order. Isolationism is not prominent, though they oppose excessive foreign spending. MAGA Republicanism is defined primarily by cultural issues, like anti-progressivism and concern over immigration, often outweighing economic policies like tariffs. Streeter concludes that rank and file voters are not as radical as national politics suggest. FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 Simon Constable Reports on Rising Commodity Prices Driven by Data Center Demand and European Political Turmoil Simon Constable with John Batchelor Simon Constable reported significant commodity price increases (copper up 14%, gold up 48%), driven by demand for data centers and AI. He criticized European reluctance to build needed data centers, stressing their necessity for the digital future. Constable noted President Macron fears Marine Le Pen's National Rally due to growing support stemming from concerns over unfettered immigration. He also criticized the UK Labour party's plan to tax professionals like dentists and doctors, predicting they will leave the country. 1215-1230 Simon Constable Reports on Rising Commodity Prices Driven by Data Center Demand and European Political Turmoil Simon Constable with John Batchelor Simon Constable reported significant commodity price increases (copper up 14%, gold up 48%), driven by demand for data centers and AI. He criticized European reluctance to build needed data centers, stressing their necessity for the digital future. Constable noted President Macron fears Marine Le Pen's National Rally due to growing support stemming from concerns over unfettered immigration. He also criticized the UK Labour party's plan to tax professionals like dentists and doctors, predicting they will leave the country. 1230-1245 Bob Zimmerman Criticizes NASA's Artemis Lunar Program as a "Management Disaster" Focused on Beating China Bob Zimmerman with John Batchelor Bob Zimmerman criticized NASA interim administrator Sean Duffy for focusing on SpaceX being "behind schedule," distracting from NASA's own delay of the Artemis mission to 2028 at the earliest. He called the Artemis plan an "unwieldy management disaster" designed haphazardly to give the SLS rocket a mission. The political push to beat China by 2028 creates a dangerous "one-time stunt." Zimmerman argues the private sector (SpaceX) is the real future of US space endeavors. 1245-100 AM Bob Zimmerman Criticizes NASA's Artemis Lunar Program as a "Management Disaster" Focused on Beating China Bob Zimmerman with John Batchelor Bob Zimmerman criticized NASA interim administrator Sean Duffy for focusing on SpaceX being "behind schedule," distracting from NASA's own delay of the Artemis mission to 2028 at the earliest. He called the Artemis plan an "unwieldy management disaster" designed haphazardly to give the SLS rocket a mission. The political push to beat China by 2028 creates a dangerous "one-time stunt." Zimmerman argues the private sector (SpaceX) is the real future of US space endeavors.

China has pledged to achieve significant progress in high-quality development and substantial improvements in scientific and technological self-reliance over the next five years.

China's major goals for the next five years include achievements in deepening reform and strengthening national security, as the country marches toward socialist modernization (01:15). China continues to share opportunities from its opening up at Phase II of the Canton Fair, and ahead of the China International Import Expo (14:10). Trade delegations from China and the United States will begin talks in Malaysia on Friday (31:38).

Compatriots from Taiwan will be invited to attend a commemorative gathering marking the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration to China, which will be held around Saturday on the mainland, a Chinese mainland spokesperson said on Wednesday.中国大陆一位发言人于周三表示，台湾同胞将受邀出席一场纪念台湾回归中国 80 周年的纪念大会，该大会将于周六前后在大陆举行。Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said that representatives from various sectors, including Taiwan compatriots, will be invited to attend the event, while related visits and exchange activities will also be organized.国务院台湾事务办公室发言人朱凤莲表示，包括台湾同胞在内的各界代表将受邀出席此次活动，同时还将组织相关参访交流活动。Highlighting the significance of Taiwan's restoration as an important achievement of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), Zhu said the commemoration aims to unite Chinese people from all over the world, including compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.朱凤莲强调，台湾光复是中国人民抗日战争（1931-1945 年）的重要成果，具有重大意义。她表示，此次纪念活动旨在团结包括海峡两岸同胞在内的全球中华儿女。It aims to bring them together to jointly remember the history of the war, pay tribute to the heroes who fought against Japanese invaders, safeguard the victorious outcome of the war, which is Taiwan's return to the motherland, and protect the common home of the Chinese nation, she said.她指出，纪念活动旨在凝聚大家的力量，共同铭记抗战历史，缅怀抗击日本侵略者的英雄先烈，捍卫包括台湾回归祖国在内的抗战胜利成果，守护中华民族共同的家园。Zhu added that Taiwan compatriots are welcome to join their mainland counterparts in sharing the pride and dignity of being Chinese.朱凤莲补充道，欢迎台湾同胞与大陆同胞一道，共同分享作为中国人的自豪与尊严。On Oct 16, Taiwan's "mainland affairs council" banned public officials from participating in commemorative events on the mainland marking the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's recovery. The order also requires members of school faculties, political parties and organizations, as well as related individuals, to refrain from participating in any mainland-organized activities or events.10 月 16 日，台湾地区所谓 “大陆事务委员会” 禁止公职人员参与大陆举办的纪念台湾光复 80 周年相关活动。该禁令还要求学校教职工、政党及社团成员以及相关个人不得参与任何由大陆组织的活动。Zhu condemned this separatist stance of "Taiwan independence" of the Democratic Progressive Party authorities, saying that it distorts and denies historical facts and undervalues the victory in the war of resistance.朱凤莲谴责民进党当局这种 “台独” 分裂行径，指出其歪曲、否认历史事实，轻视抗战胜利成果。"By intimidating and suppressing Taiwan compatriots from participating in related commemorative events, the DPP authorities have completely abandoned the national stance, which already faces opposition and will increasingly face more opposition and condemnation from the people of Taiwan," she said.她说：“民进党当局恐吓、阻挠台湾同胞参与相关纪念活动，完全背离民族立场，这一做法已经遭到反对，未来必将遭到台湾民众更多的反对与谴责。”Referring to the DPP's demand of "equal dialogue" with the mainland, Zhu said it is an attempt to resume cross-Strait consultations without recognizing the 1992 Consensus, and distorts the historical and legal fact that both sides of the Strait belong to one China.谈及民进党方面提出与大陆 “平等对话” 的要求，朱凤莲表示，这是其在不承认 “九二共识” 的情况下试图恢复两岸协商，且歪曲了海峡两岸同属一个中国的历史和法律事实。"In essence, this only creates obstacles for cross-Strait dialogue and consultations, and is doomed to fail," she said, emphasizing that the 1992 Consensus continues to serve as the anchor of peace across the Strait.她强调：“本质上，这只会为两岸对话协商制造障碍，注定不会得逞。” 同时指出，“九二共识” 仍是维护台海和平稳定的定海神针。According to the spokeswoman, cross-Strait tourism is being mainly hindered by the DPP authorities, as tour groups from Fujian province and Shanghai have been unable to visit Taiwan despite having received permits from the mainland earlier this year.这位发言人表示，两岸旅游主要受到民进党当局的阻碍。今年早些时候，福建省和上海市的旅游团虽已获得大陆方面的许可，但至今仍无法赴台旅游。"The mainstream public opinion in Taiwan supports peace, development, exchanges and cooperation. The DPP authorities have positioned themselves against such mainstream public opinion in Taiwan, and they are bound to be rejected by the people," Zhu said.朱凤莲表示：“台湾社会的主流民意是支持和平、发展、交流、合作的。民进党当局与台湾主流民意背道而驰，必然会遭到民众的反对。”The mainland has introduced a series of measures to facilitate cross-Strait exchanges, including introducing free applications for travel permits for first-time visitors from Taiwan and expanding the list of entry ports supporting on-arrival permit applications.大陆已推出一系列便利两岸交流的举措，包括对首次来大陆的台湾居民实行旅行证免费申请，以及扩大支持落地签申请的入境口岸范围。"During the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), the high-quality economic and social development of the mainland will provide more opportunities for Taiwan compatriots and enterprises," Zhu said, adding that systems and policies promoting cross-Strait economic and cultural exchanges will be further improved.朱凤莲表示：“‘十四五'规划（2026-2030 年）期间，大陆经济社会高质量发展将为台湾同胞和台湾企业提供更多机遇。” 她还补充道，促进两岸经济文化交流的制度和政策将进一步完善。compatriot音标：/kəmˈpeɪtriət/翻译：同胞；同国人搭配：fellow compatriots（同胞们）、Taiwan compatriots（台湾同胞）commemoration音标：/kəˌmeməˈreɪʃn/翻译：纪念；纪念活动搭配：commemorative gathering（纪念大会）、in commemoration of（为纪念……）restoration音标：/ˌrestəˈreɪʃn/翻译：恢复；光复（文中特指 “回归”）搭配：the restoration of Taiwan to China（台湾回归中国）、restoration of peace（和平的恢复）consensus音标：/kənˈsensəs/翻译：共识；一致意见搭配：the 1992 Consensus（“九二共识”）、reach a consensus（达成共识）编辑分享

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

China & the Hill is now on Substack!  China & the Hill is a weekly newsletter covering Washington DC's China-focused debates, actions, and reactions. Readers will receive a curated digest of each week's most pressing U.S.-China news and its impact on businesses and policy, and can listen to the top stories in podcast form on the U.S.-China Podcast.

On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with questions surrounding the Fourth Plenum as it continues in Beijing this week. Topics include: The Party's messaging on past successes, a timeline for policy announcements in the days and weeks to come, steps the Party may take to address consumption with its next Five-Year Plan, and the full spectrum of possibilities surrounding Xi and his succession plans. From there: Reactions to the news of PLA purges that became official last week, including why some explanatory theories make more sense than others and why the upheaval is not necessarily a positive signal for Taiwan. At the end: More notes on the trade war with the U.S., the plot thickens with Nexperia and the Netherlands, a new website for Andrew's writing, and an update on Yang Hansen in Portland.

The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China is convening its fourth plenary session to set the country's 15th Five-Year Plan, the national blueprint through to 2030. Although details are yet to be released, signals have been sent that fostering "new quality productive forces" will be the strategic focus. Ahead of the meeting, the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs published 8 articles in China's leading newspaper, the People's Daily, with "technological innovation" being a keyword. Why such emphasis on technological innovation? And how will this impact China's economy and beyond?

China's top policymakers are finalizing the next five-year plan for the world's second-largest economy. Host Carmel Crimmins talks to Reuters Greater China bureau chief Kevin Krolicki on what to expect from a bureaucratic exercise that ripples around the world. Sign up for the Reuters Econ World newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For information on our privacy and data protection practices visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

U.S. and Russian officials have decided to postpone a planned meeting between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin in Hungary after their foreign affairs chiefs spoke on the phone (01:05). Airbus has opened a second assembly line in China, capitalizing on the nation's push for high-level opening up under the 14th Five-Year Plan (07:38). And a UN report has condemned U.S. strikes against Venezuelan vessels as "extrajudicial executions" (19:01).

① China leads the world in wind power for 15 straight years, what's next for its clean energy push under the upcoming Five-Year Plan? (00:51) ② China's consumption grows steadily in the first three quarters of 2025 — what does this indicate about the resilience and future trajectory of its domestic market? (10:32) ③ Zelenskyy is ready for a ceasefire, yet with the US-Russia summit on hold. Where does this leave the Ukraine peace process? (32:57) ④ U.S. federal shutdown continues — what's behind Washington's recurring “shutdown-restart” cycle? (35:57) ⑤ Japan warns Vietnam over motorbike ban: How could it hinder Hanoi's zero-emission push? (43:09)

It's Tuesday, October 21st, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Kevin Swanson                    Xi Jinping fired 9 Chinese military commanders China's communist system is in turmoil, as the defense ministry announces the removal of nine very senior military commanders from duty, including a number two general, He Weidong. Since 2023, the communist leader, Xi Jinping, has administered the removal of dozens of senior officers. These moves signal a factionalism from within the party and the Chinese military. Experts question whether Jinping will survive in his position. This week, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China is holding its Fourth Plenary Session where leaders will work out a Five-Year Plan. The outcome of this meeting will reveal Jinping's standing in party politics. Keep in mind: God is in control. Haggai 2:22 says, “The word of the Lord came unto Haggai … I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms. … I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, everyone by the sword of his brother.” Pakistani pastor survives murder plot A Pakistani pastor survived a murder attempt in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, on the morning of Sunday, September 21, reports Barnabas Aid. Pastor Kamran Naz had been traveling by bus, accompanied by his mother, from his home in Gujranwala to lead a church service in Islamabad when he was attacked by two unidentified gunmen. One bullet wounded the pastor in the right leg. A second bullet narrowly missed his head. The attackers then fled on a motorcycle as some church members who were present swiftly came to the pastor's aid and contacted emergency services. Pastor Kamran had previously notified the police of numerous death threats. He was warned to stop ministering at the church or face the consequences.  Pastor Imran Amanat, leader of the Christian advocacy group LEAD Ministries Pakistan, said, “We will not be intimidated or silenced. We demand that the authorities immediately ensure the protection of Christian leaders and hold the criminals accountable. If the government continues to ignore these threats, it becomes complicit in the persecution.” According to Open Doors, Pakistan is the eighth most dangerous country worldwide for Christians. Swedish parents lost custody over kids' required church attendance Certain European nations have now been recognized for their systemic violation of parental rights, especially if the parents happen to be Christian.  Alliance Defending Freedom International is working on a case in Sweden, where parents have lost custody of their children under charges of “religious extremism.” The parents had simply restricted the phone use of their teen children and required attendance at church meetings. After three years of attempts to regain custody, Daniel and Bianca Samson are appealing their case to the European Court of Human Rights. Recently, the High Court has already condemned countries like Spain, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, and Romania for systemic violations in family separation and child welfare cases. Iran threatens Israel Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei took to social media (X) yesterday, effectively taunting the American government, threatening Israel, and asserting independence for the nation's nuclear program. He asked, “What authority do you, Americans, have to dictate what a country should or shouldn't do if it possesses nuclear industry? What position do you hold in the world? How is it any of America's business whether Iran has nuclear capabilities and nuclear industry or not? .. . The U.S. President boasts that they've bombed and destroyed Iran's nuclear industry. Very well, in your dreams!” Trump urges Putin and Zelenskyy to end the war President Donald Trump is urging Ukraine's leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy to end the war on Russia's terms.  He warned Zelenskyy of Russian President Vladimir Putin's threat to “destroy” Ukraine it there is no agreement.  The Financial Times described the meeting as a “shouting match”, with Trump throwing maps in the room, and “cursing all the time.” Japan greenlights Morning After Pill Japan has just approved the abortifacient drug known as the over-the-counter “morning after” pill. Japan also approved the RU-486 abortion kill pill back in April 2023. Japan recorded 686,000 births in 2024. That's down from 762,000 in 2023, and down from 2,000,000 in 1975. Jeremiah 32:35 speaks of this child sacrifice.  “They built the high places of Baal in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to offer up their sons and daughters to Molech, though I did not command them, nor did it enter into my mind, that they should do this abomination.” Day 21 of U.S. government shutdown The U.S. government shutdown is rounding its 21st day. With 900,000 employees furloughed, the shutdown represents the most severe in American history.  Indeed, 7,850 flights were delayed due to air traffic control staffing shortages on Sunday.  According to TheHill.com, 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA agents are presently working without pay. Housing bubble has burst The housing bubble has burst in multiple cities across the United States. The median house values in Oakland, California and Austin, Texas have dropped by 24% since the peak in 2022. Significant declines have also been reported in New Orleans, San Francisco, Fort Myers, Florida, and Denver, Colorado, reports WolfStreet.com. Gold and silver hit new record highs Metals continued their journey upwards and onwards in Monday's market activity. Gold hit $4,350 per ounce and silver hit $52 and change per ounce, reports Reuters. Trump's Education Dept. funds conservative ideology at colleges The Trump Education Department is offering preferential funding for those universities willing to bend more conservative. Only Vanderbilt, the University of Arizona, and the University of Texas at Austin have embraced to the idea out of the nine universities approached with the proposal, reports Breitbart.  MIT, Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Southern California have all rejected the Trump administration's encouragement to abolish their departments opposed to conservative ideas.  Major jewel heist at Louvre in Paris, France And finally, a team of four thieves broke into the Louvre Museum in Paris over the weekend. They stole priceless jewels dating back to the 19th Century, reports Reuters. Among the stolen items were a tiara and brooch belonging to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, an emerald necklace and a pair of emerald earrings from Empress Marie Louise, Napolean's second wife, and a tiara, a necklace, and single earring from the sapphire set that belonged to Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense. (Also a brooch known as the "reliquary brooch” was taken). Close And that's The Worldview on this Tuesday, October 21st, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

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?

US President Donald Trump urged his Ukrainian counterpart to accept Russia's war terms during Friday's volatile White House meeting, and five-year plans still have a place in Chinese politics despite massive changes to its economic system. Plus, global hedge funds are listing in Hong Kong again after an extended slowdown, and the battle for control of rare earth metals is turbocharging stock prices in this sector. Mentioned in this podcast:Trump urged Zelenskyy to accept Putin's terms or be ‘destroyed' by RussiaChina pushes high-tech in 5-year plan as US tensions riseWhy China still loves its five-year plansHedge funds return to Hong Kong listingsRare earths shares soar as US and China battle over export controlsSave 40% on a standard annual digital subscription: ft.com/briefingsale Today's FT News Briefing was produced by Ethan Plotkin, Jess Smith, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Peter Barber. The FT's acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show's theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As China approaches the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan, all eyes are on the new blueprint that's being drawn up to guide the nation's next five years. From the first edition to the upcoming 15th cycle, these documents have informed China's socio-economic development for more than seventy years. How did it all start? How has the system not only survived but thrived in China? What can the next five-year plan mean for you?

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Communist Party elites are in Beijing for the Fourth Plenary, where the roadmap for the country's industrial development over the next five years will be set. We take a closer look. But first, the country's latest economic data paints a troubling picture. 

① As China charts its next Five-Year Plan, what direction will its development take? (00:51) ② Xi congratulates Cheng Li-wun on election as KMT chairperson. (25:00) ③ What's driving the buzz around robots and AI at the 138th Canton Fair? (34:18) ④ Inside the Afghanistan–Pakistan Talks in Doha: What's Next? (44:17)

Ahead of the Fourth Plenum of the 20th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), this episode of the MERICS China Podcast looks at three issues that are high on the priority list for Chinese decisionmakers, namely urban development, social welfare and global trade tensions. Alexander Davey, Analyst in the Politics and Society Program at MERICS, joins Johannes Heller-John to talk about some of the CCP's priorities for the next months, the upcoming Fourth Plenum from October 20 to 23 and the 15th Five-Year Plan.You can also watch our media briefing on the Fourth Plenum and 15th Five-Year Plan or read our latest MERICS China Essentials for more coverage.

2025 marks the final year of China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), with preparations for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) already underway. How have China's economic resilience and technological innovation set the stage for its next strategic leap? Host Ge Anna joins Dr. Warwick Powell, Adjunct Professor, Queensland University, and Dr. Qu Qiang, a Fellow of the Belt and Road Research Center at Minzu University of China.

Golden Week has just wrapped, offering a timely snapshot of China's consumer sentiment. Travel volumes surged, but spending data remained subdued, highlighting the limits of short-term stimulus and reinforcing calls for deeper structural reform.Amidst this backdrop, China's stock market continues to rally, prompting fresh questions: Can momentum broaden beyond tech? Will long-awaited social reforms finally shift the consumption narrative? And what does a weakening US dollar mean for global asset allocation?Richard Tang, Head of Research Hong Kong at Julius Baer, and Hong Hao, Managing Partner and CIO of Lotus Asset Management Ltd., return to unpack the macro forces behind the rally, the outlook for the 15th Five-Year Plan, and why gold and silver are stealing the spotlight in 2025.This episode was recorded on 8 October 2025.

China recently released its official NDC, or Nationally Determined Contribution document, laying out a commitment to reduce carbon emissions ‘from peak' by 7-10% by 2035. The document was widely seen as disappointing. Now that the NDC and the initial reactions are out, it's time to take a step back and evaluate the bigger picture. What does this target really mean? What does the NDC signal about China's 15th Five-Year Plan, or for its major emitting sectors such as coal power or coal-to-chemicals? What impact did climate diplomacy or weakened/withdrawn climate commitments from other economies have on China's NDC? Is there a chance that China will use other policies to ‘enhance its ambition'? Our guest today is Kate Logan  Director, China Climate Hub and Climate Diplomacy at the Asia Society Policy Institute. Logan is also a Fellow with ASPI's Center for China Analysis. Her work focuses on enhancing climate progress across Asia and in China especially, including by supporting the international community's engagement with China's climate agenda. She previously worked with ClimateWorks, and also in Beijing with the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs. Kate was one of the founders of the Environment China podcast, almost a decade ago, so she has a long connection to the Beijing Energy Network! Further reading: Kate Logan and Li Shuo, 'Beijing disappoints on ambition and misses a chance at leadership', Asia Society Policy Institute, September 2025, at https://asiasociety.org/policy-institute/unpacking-chinas-new-headline-climate-targets.

Our Chief China Equity Strategist Laura Wang discusses how China's new approach to economic development is transforming domestic industries and reshaping the global investment landscape.Read more insights from Morgan Stanley.----- Transcript ----- Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I'm Laura Wang, Morgan Stanley's Chief China Equity Strategist.Today – a consequential shift in China's economic policy is set to reshape domestic markets and send ripples across the global economy.It's Thursday, October 2nd at 2pm in Hong Kong.If you're an investor, it's important to understand China's new approach to economic development. The government's policies to drive a recovery from an economic slump are changing the rules of competition, profitability and growth. This affects Chinese companies, and in turn global supply chains and investment flows.Let's start with the term involution – what is it? In China, involution describes a cycle of excessive competition—think companies fighting for market share by slashing prices, ramping up production, and eroding profits, often to the point where nobody wins. The government's anti-involution campaign is a direct response to this problem.What factors prompted the launch of this anti-involution initiative? Since 2021, China has faced mounting deflationary pressures—falling prices, a housing market slump, and a surge in manufacturing investment that led to overcapacity. The September 2024 policy pivot began to address these issues, and in mid-2025 the government launched a more targeted anti-involution campaign. This phase focuses on reducing excessive competition and restoring pricing power through market-based consolidation.As we assess the potential effectiveness of China's anti-involution policy, our base case projects China's return on equity (ROE) to reach 13.3 percent by 2030, up from a cycle low of 10 percent in May 2024 and 11.6 percent by July 2025. In a bullish scenario, decisive reforms and demand-side stimulus could push ROE as high as 16.3 percent.We also expect earnings growth to accelerate, with our base case showing an annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6 percent in 2025, rising to 11.1 percent by 2027. We forecast valuations to normalize towards 12–13x forward price-to-earnings, in line with emerging market peers, but this could re-rate higher if reforms succeed.In terms of investment opportunities, we believe the EV Batteries industry will benefit the most from the Chinese government's anti-involution efforts. It's got strong policy support, cutting-edge technology, and a market that's consolidating fast—meaning the days of low-quality and excess capacity are fading. We're seeing a shift toward long-term, sustainable growth. Steel and Cement are industries where the state has a strong hand and capacity controls are well established. These factors help stabilize the market and open the door for steady gains. Finally, Airlines. While the industry has faced persistent losses, there isn't a[n] oversupply of seats, and regulatory coordination is strong. With the right reforms, Airlines could be poised for a significant turnaround.The sectors best positioned to benefit from China's anti-involution strategy are more domestically oriented. But this policy is bound to have global implications. And the ripples will likely extend to global supply chains, especially in Materials, Chemicals and Autos.Looking ahead, the pace and success of anti-involution will depend on further structural reforms, demand-side support, and the ability to digest industrial credit risks gradually. The upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan could bring more clarity on tax, social welfare, and local government incentives.So, what should investors be paying attention to? China's anti-involution campaign is more than a policy tweak—it's a recalibration of how the country balances growth, innovation, and sustainability. The key is to track sector-level reforms, watch for signs of consolidation, and focus on companies with strong fundamentals and policy tailwinds.Thanks for listening. If you enjoy the show, please leave us a review wherever you listen and share Thoughts on the Market with a friend or colleague today.