China’s Ruling Communist Party Launches Important Four-Day Meeting in Beijing

China’s Communist Party Central Committee began its four-day meeting in Beijing to discuss the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) and potential government and party leadership changes. President Xi Jinping presented proposals guiding economic and social development. The meeting comes as China reported 4.8% GDP growth in Q3 2025 and aims for around 5% growth this year.

The Central Committee of China's ruling Communist Party commenced its fourth plenary session on Monday in Beijing, marking the beginning of important discussions regarding the country’s upcoming five-year development plan, as reported by state media. This gathering is a crucial event where the highest-ranking members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) come together to deliberate on key national policies and strategic directions.

President Xi Jinping, who holds the dual role of China’s head of state and the general secretary of the Communist Party, took center stage by delivering a comprehensive work report on behalf of the Political Bureau. In his address, Xi detailed the party leadership’s draft proposals that will guide the creation of the 15th Five-Year Plan, covering the years 2026 to 2030. This plan will outline the country’s economic and social development goals and priorities, serving as a blueprint for China’s growth and governance over the next half-decade.

The session, scheduled to last for four days until Thursday, is anticipated to cover not only the development plan but also other significant matters, including discussions around new appointments within both the government and the Communist Party itself. Such appointments are pivotal as they shape the leadership and policy direction of China’s political and administrative framework.

A plenum, in the context of the Communist Party of China, refers to a full meeting of the CPC Central Committee, which is composed of 205 full members and 167 alternate members, all of whom are among the party’s most senior officials. The Central Committee holds a position of paramount authority within the party, entrusted with critical responsibilities such as selecting members of the Politburo—the key decision-making body—and endorsing other major appointments across the party’s hierarchy. This makes plenary sessions particularly important moments in China’s political calendar.

This fourth plenum, under the leadership of Xi Jinping, comes at a time when China, the world’s second-largest economy, recently reported a GDP growth rate of 4.8 percent for the third quarter of 2025. This figure reflects ongoing economic recovery and development amidst various global and domestic challenges. For the current year, China has set a target of achieving around 5 percent annual growth in its gross domestic product, signaling its continued commitment to stable and sustainable economic expansion despite uncertainties on the international stage.

The deliberations and decisions made during this plenum will therefore play a crucial role in shaping the trajectory of China’s economic policies and political leadership in the years to come, impacting not only the nation’s domestic affairs but also its position and influence on the global stage.