The Chinese government is set to implement a series of reforms before the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 2029, as part of its effort to further modernise the country. That’s according to a resolution that was published at the end of the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee.
Held in Beijing between 15 and 18 July, the closed-door meeting was attended by 199 senior government officials, including President Xi Jinping, as well as 165 alternate members and various non-voting representatives from academia.
Discussions about China’s economic policy was a high priority for the delegates, especially in light of the various economic issues that the country has been facing in recent years, which include an ailing property market, Western trade restrictions and youth unemployment.
While the exact nature of the reforms have yet to be divulged, the resolution suggests that the authorities wish to strike a better balance between national security and economic growth. It said that China must “ensure that high-quality development and greater security reinforce each other, so as to effectively safeguard the country’s stability and security over the long term.”
[See more: Here’s what could happen at China’s third plenum]
The central government also noted that it would seek to implement macro policies in an effective manner, strengthen demand in the domestic market, and further eco-friendly development, in addition to facilitating new ways to develop foreign trade.
The communique states that “by 2035, we will have finished building a high-standard socialist market economy in all respects, generally modernised our system and capacity for governance, and basically realised socialist modernisation.”
Apart from the economy, the third plenum also saw the senior party members officially accept the resignation of former foreign minister Qin Gang from the Central Committee. The 58-year old’s disappearance since June 2023 has fuelled intense speculation over his fate, although he remains a Chinese Communist Member and is referred to in the resolution as “comrade.”
In contrast, a number of ex-military officials, including Li Shangfu and Li Yuchao, who were found guilty of corruption, were officially expelled by the party.
