Communiqué of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China

The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was held on To be held in Beijing from October 20 to 23, 2025.

Attending this plenary session are the members of the Central Committee. A total of 168 individuals were elected as members of the Central Committee, with 147 designated as alternate members. Members of the Standing Committee of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and leading officials from relevant departments attended the meeting as non-voting participants. In addition, a number of grassroots representatives and experts and scholars who were delegates to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China also attended the meeting.

The plenary session was presided over by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, delivered an important speech.

The Plenary Session heard and discussed the work report delivered by Xi Jinping on behalf of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and reviewed and adopted the “Suggestions of the CPC Central Committee on Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development.” Xi Jinping then provided an explanation of the “Suggestions (Draft for Discussion)” to the Plenary Session.

The plenary session fully affirmed the work of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee since the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. It unanimously agreed that the Political Bureau has earnestly implemented the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC and all previous plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, adhered to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, comprehensively, accurately, and thoroughly applied the new development philosophy, and coordinated the promotion of We have advanced the overall plan of “five-sphere integrated development,” coordinated the strategic layout of the “four-pronged comprehensive” approach, balanced domestic and international priorities, integrated development with security, further deepened reform across the board, steadily promoted high-quality development, advanced the building of socialist democracy and the rule of law, strengthened publicity, ideological, and cultural work, earnestly ensured people’s wellbeing and protected the ecological environment, safeguarded national security and social stability, carried out in-depth study and education on the spirit of the Central Committee’s Eight-Point Decision on Improving Conduct, and pressed ahead with full and rigorous Party self-governance. We have also strengthened the modernization of national defense and the armed forces, done a good job in Hong Kong and Macao affairs as well as in work related to Taiwan, and deepened China’s diplomacy with Chinese characteristics as a major country, thereby driving sustained economic recovery and improvement. The main goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan are on the verge of being successfully accomplished. The grand commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War has greatly boosted the national spirit, ignited patriotic enthusiasm, and rallied the strength for struggle.

The plenary session highly commended Major Achievements in China’s Development During the 14th Five-Year Plan Period. The period of the 14th Five-Year Plan has been an exceptionally unusual and extraordinary chapter in China’s development. Faced with a complex and volatile international landscape and daunting domestic tasks related to reform, development, and stability, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has united and led the entire Party and all ethnic groups across the country in rising to challenges and forging ahead with determination. Despite the severe impact of the century-old pandemic, China has effectively responded to a series of major risks and challenges, thereby achieving new and significant accomplishments in the cause of the Party and the country. China’s economic strength, scientific and technological prowess, and overall national strength have all reached new heights; Chinese-style modernization has taken new, solid steps; and the new journey toward the Second Centenary Goal has gotten off to a strong start.

The plenary session pointed out that the realization of socialist modernization is a historically progressive, step-by-step process of continuous development and advancement, which requires unremitting efforts and sustained struggle. The 15th Five-Year Plan period is a crucial stage for consolidating the foundations and making all-round, concerted efforts to basically achieve socialist modernization, playing a pivotal role in bridging the past and the future in this process. During this period, China’s development environment will undergo profound and complex changes, as the country finds itself at a juncture where strategic opportunities coexist with risks and challenges, and uncertain and hard-to-predict factors are on the rise. Nevertheless, China’s economic fundamentals remain solid, its strengths are numerous, its resilience is strong, and its potential is vast; the underlying conditions and fundamental trends that support long-term positive development have not changed. Moreover, the institutional advantages of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the advantages of an ultra-large-scale market, the advantages of a complete industrial system, and the advantages stemming from abundant human resources are becoming even more pronounced. The entire Party must deeply appreciate the decisive significance of the “two establishments,” strengthen the “four consciousnesses,” bolster the “four confidences,” and ensure “two safeguards,” maintain strategic composure, reinforce our confidence in victory, proactively identify, adapt to, and seek change, dare to struggle and be adept at struggling, and courageously confront major tests characterized by turbulent winds and high waves—or even towering, raging storms. With a spirit of historical initiative, we must overcome difficulties, defuse risks, and meet challenges head-on; concentrate our efforts on doing our own work well; write a new chapter in the two great miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability; and strive to open up a new phase in the cause of Chinese-style modernization.

The plenary session emphasized that, During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, economic and social development must uphold Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Important Thought of the Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development; fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; thoroughly carry out the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Party and all subsequent plenary sessions of the 20th Central Committee; focus on fully building a modern socialist country and achieving the Second Centenary Goal; advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in all respects through Chinese-style modernization; coordinate and promote the “five-sphere integrated plan” and the “four-pronged comprehensive strategy”; balance domestic and international contexts; fully, accurately, and comprehensively apply the new development philosophy; accelerate the establishment of a new development pattern; adhere to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability; place economic development at the center; take promoting high-quality development as the theme; regard reform and innovation as the fundamental driving force; aim to meet the people’s ever-growing needs for a better life; and ensure that full and rigorous governance of the Party serves as the fundamental guarantee. In this way, we will promote both qualitative improvement and effective enhancement and quantitative rational growth of the economy, make solid strides in the all-round development of individuals and the common prosperity of all the people, and ensure decisive progress in basically achieving socialist modernization.

The plenary session pointed out that, During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, economic and social development must adhere to the following principles: upholding the Party’s overall leadership; putting the people first; pursuing high-quality development; comprehensively deepening reform; integrating an effective market with a capable government; and coordinating development with security.

The plenary session put forward The main objectives for economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period are as follows: achieving remarkable results in high-quality development; substantially enhancing our capacity for scientific and technological self-reliance and strength; making new breakthroughs in comprehensively deepening reform; markedly raising the level of social civility; continuously improving the quality of people’s lives; making new major strides in building a Beautiful China; and further strengthening the national security barrier. On this basis, through another five years of hard work, by 2035 we will achieve a substantial leap in China’s economic strength, scientific and technological strength, defense capabilities, overall national strength, and international influence; raise per capita GDP to the level of moderately developed countries; ensure that people enjoy an even happier and better life; and basically realize socialist modernization.

The plenary session proposed building a modern industrial system and consolidating and strengthening the foundation of the real economy. It emphasized focusing on the real economy in economic development, adhering to the directions of intelligentization, green development, and integration, and accelerating the building of a manufacturing powerhouse, a quality powerhouse, a spacefaring powerhouse, a transportation powerhouse, and a cyber powerhouse. It also called for maintaining an appropriate share of manufacturing in the economy and establishing a modern industrial system with advanced manufacturing as its backbone. To achieve these goals, it is necessary to optimize and upgrade traditional industries, foster and expand emerging and future industries, promote high-quality and efficient development of the service sector, and build a modern infrastructure system.

The plenary session proposed accelerating high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and strength to lead the development of new-quality productive forces. Seizing the historic opportunities presented by the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, we will coordinate efforts to build a country strong in education, science and technology, and talent; enhance the overall effectiveness of the national innovation system; comprehensively strengthen our capacity for independent innovation; secure strategic advantages in scientific and technological development; and continuously foster new-quality productive forces. We must intensify original innovation and tackle key core technologies, promote the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation with industrial innovation, advance the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent, and deepen the construction of Digital China.

The plenary session proposed building a robust domestic market and accelerating the establishment of a new development paradigm. It emphasized adhering to expanding domestic demand as the strategic cornerstone, closely integrating measures to improve people’s livelihoods with efforts to boost consumption, and linking investment in physical assets with investment in human capital. The goal is to use new demand to drive new supply and, in turn, use new supply to create new demand, thereby fostering positive interactions between consumption and investment, as well as between supply and demand, and enhancing the endogenous momentum and reliability of the domestic major circulation. To achieve these objectives, it is essential to vigorously stimulate consumption, expand effective investment, and resolutely remove bottlenecks and obstacles that impede the development of a unified national market.

The plenary session proposed accelerating the establishment of a high-standard socialist market economy and bolstering the momentum for high-quality development. It emphasized upholding and improving the basic socialist economic system, better leveraging the guiding role of economic structural reform, and refining the macroeconomic governance system to ensure that high-quality development progresses steadily and sustainably. To this end, it is essential to fully stimulate the vitality of all types of market entities, expedite the improvement of institutional mechanisms for market-based allocation of production factors, and enhance the effectiveness of macroeconomic governance.

The plenary session proposed expanding high-standard opening-up and forging a new landscape of win-win cooperation. We will steadily advance institutional opening-up, safeguard the multilateral trading system, broaden international economic circulation, use opening-up to drive reform and development, and share opportunities and pursue common development with all countries. We must proactively expand independent opening-up, promote innovative development of trade, expand space for two-way investment cooperation, and jointly build high-quality “The Belt and Road.”

The plenary session proposed accelerating the modernization of agriculture and rural areas and making solid progress in the all-round revitalization of rural areas. It emphasized the need to properly address The “three rural” issues are of paramount importance to the work of the entire Party. We must promote integrated urban–rural development, continuously consolidate and expand the achievements made in poverty alleviation, ensure that rural areas are equipped with basic modern living conditions, and accelerate the building of a strong agricultural country. To this end, we need to enhance overall agricultural productivity and improve quality and efficiency, advance the construction of livable, work-friendly, and beautiful countryside, and strengthen the effectiveness of policies aimed at strengthening agriculture, benefiting farmers, and enriching rural areas.

The plenary session proposed optimizing the regional economic layout and promoting balanced regional development. By leveraging the synergistic effects of the Regional Coordinated Development Strategy, major regional strategies, the Strategy for Functional Zones, and the New-Type Urbanization Strategy, we will optimize the spatial distribution of major productive forces, harness the growth-pole role of key regions, and establish a regional economic layout and territorial spatial system characterized by complementary strengths and high-quality development. It is essential to enhance the coordination of regional development, promote interconnected regional development, optimize the pattern of territorial space development, deepen people-centered new-type urbanization, and strengthen the development, utilization, and protection of marine resources.

The plenary session proposed to stimulate the cultural innovation and creativity of the entire nation and to foster the thriving development of socialist culture. It emphasized upholding the guiding role of Marxism in the ideological sphere, drawing on the profound and extensive Chinese civilization, keeping pace with the trends in information technology, and developing a new-era socialist culture with Chinese characteristics that possesses strong ideological guidance, spiritual cohesion, value appeal, and international influence, thereby making solid progress in building a culturally strong country. To this end, it is essential to promote and practice the core socialist values, vigorously develop cultural undertakings, accelerate the growth of the cultural industries, and enhance the reach and influence of Chinese civilization.

The plenary session emphasized the need to strengthen efforts to safeguard and improve people’s livelihoods and to make solid progress toward common prosperity for all. It called for adhering to the principle of doing our utmost within our capabilities, reinforcing inclusive, foundational, and safety-net social programs, effectively addressing the urgent, difficult, and pressing concerns of the people, ensuring smooth channels for social mobility, and enhancing the quality of life. To this end, we will promote high-quality, full employment; improve the income distribution system; provide education that meets the people’s expectations; strengthen the social security system; foster high-quality development of the real estate sector; accelerate the building of a Healthy China; promote high-quality population development; and steadily advance the equalization of basic public services.

The plenary session proposed accelerating the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development and building a Beautiful China. It emphasized firmly establishing and practicing the philosophy that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,” using carbon peaking and carbon neutrality as the driving force to synergistically advance carbon reduction, pollution control, ecological restoration, and economic growth, thereby fortifying the ecological safety barrier and bolstering the momentum for green development. It called for continuously deepening the tough battle against pollution and optimizing ecosystems, speeding up the construction of a new energy system, proactively yet prudently advancing and achieving carbon peaking, and accelerating the establishment of green modes of production and living.

The plenary session proposed advancing the modernization of the national security system and capabilities and building a China that is even safer and more secure. We will unswervingly implement the Overall National Security Concept, follow the path of social governance with Chinese characteristics, and ensure that society remains vibrant yet well-ordered. To this end, we must improve the national security system, strengthen capacity-building in key areas of national security, raise the level of public safety governance, and refine the social governance system.

The plenary session proposed that we should achieve the centenary goal for strengthening the armed forces on schedule and advance the modernization of national defense and the armed forces with high quality. We will implement Xi Jinping’s Thought on Strengthening the Military, uphold the military strategic guidelines for the new era, ensure the Party’s absolute leadership over the People’s Armed Forces, implement the system of responsibility vested in the Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and follow the new blueprint for the modernization of national defense and the armed forces. The “three-step” strategy is being advanced to strengthen the military through political leadership, reform, science and technology, talent development, and law-based governance; to simultaneously engage in struggle, prepare for war, and carry out construction; to accelerate the integrated development of mechanization, informatization, and intelligentization; and to enhance the strategic capability to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests. We must expedite the building of advanced combat capabilities, promote the modernization of military governance, and consolidate and elevate the integrated national strategic system and capacity.

The plenary session emphasized that the entire Party and all the people of all ethnic groups across the country must unite to achieve Strive to implement the 15th Five-Year Plan. Uphold the Party’s self-revolution as the guiding force for social revolution, unswervingly advance full and rigorous Party governance, strengthen the Party’s political leadership, ideological guidance, capacity to organize the masses, and ability to rally public support, and enhance the Party’s capacity and level of leadership in economic and social development, thereby pooling tremendous strength to advance Chinese modernization. We must uphold and strengthen the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, promote the development of socialist democracy and the rule of law, and fully mobilize the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of all sectors of society to contribute to the cause of Chinese modernization. We will promote the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao, advance the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and the great cause of national reunification, and work to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

The plenary session emphasized that thoroughly studying and implementing its spirit constitutes a major political task for the Party and the nation both now and in the period ahead. It is essential to organize, through diverse channels, study sessions, briefings, and publicity campaigns on the spirit of the plenary session, so as to ensure that the entire Party and society at large fully grasp and internalize it. We must earnestly ensure the effective implementation of the spirit of the plenary session, unswervingly promote high-quality development, accelerate the establishment of a new development paradigm, take solid steps toward common prosperity for all the people, better balance development with security, coordinate economic development with work across all sectors, and lay a solid foundation for basically achieving socialist modernization.

The plenary session emphasized that governing the country begins with governing the Party, and that only a thriving Party can lead to a strong nation. The more effective Party governance is, the stronger the institutional safeguards for economic and social development will be. We must, with unwavering resolve and steadfast commitment as if we are always on the journey, persistently advance comprehensive and rigorous Party self-governance, resolutely implement the Party’s requirements for self-revolution, institutionalize and sustain the improvement of the Party’s work style, and unswervingly combat corruption, so as to achieve Providing a solid guarantee for the economic and social development goals during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

The plenary session analyzed the current situation and tasks, emphasizing the need to resolutely achieve the year’s economic and social development goals. It is essential to continue precisely implementing the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee, with a strong focus on stabilizing employment, businesses, markets, and market expectations, thereby anchoring the economy’s fundamentals and consolidating and expanding the momentum of economic recovery and improvement. Macro policies must maintain sustained strength while being appropriately intensified as needed; enterprise support policies must be effectively implemented; targeted initiatives to boost consumption must be carried out in depth; and safety nets at the grassroots level must be firmly put in place. Uphold the “three guarantees” bottom line and proactively and prudently defuse local government debt risks.

The plenary session emphasized the need to earnestly ensure people’s livelihoods by tapping potential through multiple channels, strengthening efforts to stabilize employment and promote job creation, facilitating stable employment for key groups, intensifying measures to address wage arrears, enhancing basic public services, and effectively resolving the urgent, difficult, and pressing concerns of the people. It also stressed the importance of robust post-disaster recovery and reconstruction, the resettlement of affected populations, and the provision of adequate living support, so as to ensure that disaster-affected residents can spend a warm winter.

The plenary session emphasized the need to ensure workplace safety and maintain social stability by rigorously enforcing accountability for workplace safety, fully implementing all regulatory systems, and resolutely preventing and curbing the occurrence of serious and extremely serious accidents. It also called for strengthening end-to-end oversight of food and drug safety, thoroughly identifying and resolving conflicts and disputes, enhancing comprehensive prevention and control of public security, and cracking down on all types of illegal and criminal activities in accordance with the law. Furthermore, it stressed the importance of strengthening public opinion guidance to effectively prevent and defuse ideological risks.

The Plenary Session decided to appoint Zhang Shengmin as a Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China.

In accordance with the Party Constitution, the Plenary Session decided to promote Yu Huiwen, Ma Hancheng, Wang Jian, Wang Xi, Wang Yonghong, Wang Tingkai, Wang Xinwei, Wei Tao, Deng Yiwu, Deng Xiuming, and Lu Hong from alternate members of the Central Committee to full members.

The Plenary Session reviewed and approved the report of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China on the serious violations of discipline and law committed by Tang Renjian, Jin Xiangjun, Li Shisong, Yang Fasen, and Zhu Zhisong, as well as the report of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China on the serious violations of discipline and law committed by He Weidong, Miao Hua, He Hongjun, Wang Xiubin, Lin Xiangyang, Qin Shutong, Yuan Huazhi, Wang Chunning, and Zhang Fengzhong. It also confirmed the decisions previously made by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to expel He Weidong, Miao Hua, Tang Renjian, Jin Xiangjun, He Hongjun, Wang Xiubin, Lin Xiangyang, Qin Shutong, Yuan Huazhi, Wang Chunning, Li Shisong, Yang Fasen, Zhu Zhisong, and Zhang Fengzhong from the Party.

The Plenary Session calls on the entire Party, the entire military, and all ethnic groups across the country to rally even more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, to strive together toward the basic realization of socialist modernization, and to continuously open up new prospects in the great cause of building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation through the comprehensive advancement of Chinese-style modernization.