Soliciting Opinions and Suggestions on Economic Work: The CPC Central Committee Holds a Symposium with Non-CPC Figures; Xi Jinping Chairs the Meeting and Delivers an Important Speech

On December 3, the CPC Central Committee convened a symposium with non-CPC figures at Zhongnanhai to solicit the views and suggestions of the leaders of the central committees of the democratic parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and representatives of non-affiliates on this year’s economic situation and next year’s economic work. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the symposium and delivered an important speech, emphasizing that the fundamental conditions and underlying trends supporting China’s long-term economic improvement remain unchanged. He urged all parties to bolster their confidence, leverage their strengths, and rise to challenges, so as to continuously consolidate and expand the steady and improving momentum of the economy and ensure a strong start to the 15th Five-Year Plan period.
Li Qiang, Cai Qi, and Ding Xuexiang, members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the symposium. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Li Qiang briefed the participants on this year’s economic work and outlined the considerations for next year’s economic work.
At the symposium, Zheng Jianbang, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang; Ding Zhongli, Chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League; Sun Dongsheng, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy; Cai Dafeng, Chairman of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy; He Wei, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Agricultural Workers’ Party of China; Jiang Zuojun, Chairman of the Central Committee of the China Zhi Gong Party; Wu Weihua, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Jiusan Society; Su Hui, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League; Gao Yunlong, Chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce; and Gao Hongjun, a representative of non-affiliates, each delivered remarks in turn. They expressed full agreement with the CPC Central Committee’s analysis and assessment of the current economic situation and its plans for next year’s economic work, and put forward suggestions and proposals on such issues as optimizing industrial layout, increasing the supply of high-quality goods and services, deepening institutional reforms in education, science and technology, and talent development, building a unified national market for data as a production factor, expanding domestic demand, broadening high-standard opening-up, enhancing the health and well-being of the people, promoting high-quality employment, and strengthening cultural soft power.
After carefully listening to everyone’s remarks, Xi Jinping delivered an important speech. He stated that all participants had fully endorsed the achievements made in this year’s economic work and had put forward suggestions and recommendations for next year’s economic work, which we will study and adopt conscientiously.
Xi Jinping pointed out that this year has been an extraordinary one. Under the unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the entire Party and all ethnic groups across the country have risen to challenges and strived with determination, coordinated domestic and international priorities, and implemented more proactive and effective macro policies, ensuring the smooth achievement of the major goals for economic and social development. Over the past five years, we have effectively responded to various shocks and challenges, propelling the cause of the Party and the country to new and significant accomplishments. The 14th Five-Year Plan is now nearing successful completion, and China’s economic strength, scientific and technological prowess, and overall national strength have all reached new heights.
Xi Jinping pointed out that, since the beginning of this year, the central committees of the non-CPC political parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and non-affiliates have closely aligned their work with the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee, conducting in-depth research on such areas as the integrated development of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, the comprehensive expansion of domestic demand, and the democratic oversight of ecological and environmental protection in the Yangtze River Basin. They have also promptly offered advice and suggestions on key and difficult issues in economic and social development, thereby providing important reference for the CPC Central Committee’s evidence-based decision-making. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi Jinping expressed his gratitude to all concerned.
Xi Jinping emphasized that, in order to deliver strong economic performance next year, we must be guided by Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Party and all plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, fully, accurately, and comprehensively apply the new development philosophy, accelerate the establishment of a new development pattern, focus on promoting high-quality development, adhere to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, better coordinate domestic economic work with international economic and trade struggles, better balance development and security, implement more proactive and effective macro policies, enhance the forward-looking, targeted, and coordinated nature of these policies, continuously expand domestic demand and optimize supply, improve new growth drivers while making better use of existing assets, develop new quality productive forces tailored to local conditions, deepen the construction of a unified national market, continuously guard against and defuse risks in key areas, focus on stabilizing employment, enterprises, markets, and expectations, promote both qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth of the economy, and maintain social harmony and stability.
Xi Jinping articulated three expectations for the democratic parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and non-affiliates. First, they should thoroughly study and grasp the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, accurately and comprehensively understand the strategic arrangements made by the CPC Central Committee, and always think in unison with, stand firmly with, and work side by side with the Communist Party of China. Second, they should actively and enthusiastically contribute their wisdom and efforts to the formulation and implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan, conducting in-depth research on such key areas as building a modern industrial system, developing new-quality productive forces tailored to local conditions, and fostering a robust domestic market, and putting forward well-founded and substantive proposals and recommendations. Third, they should pool their strengths and unite their efforts to promote stable and positive economic development, assisting the Party and the government in publicizing policies, addressing doubts and clarifying misunderstandings, and building consensus, while guiding their members and the broader public they engage with to remain confident and spirited, thereby creating a favorable environment for development.
Liu Guozhong, Li Ganjie, He Lifeng, Zhang Guoqing, and Wu Zhenglong, along with heads of relevant departments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, attended the symposium.
Also in attendance at the symposium were non-CPC figures such as Shao Hong, He Baoxiang, Wang Guangqian, Zhu Yongxin, Yang Zhen, Zhang Endi, Fang Guanghua, Du Yingfen, and others.