A view of Shanghai Photo: VCG

China’s top economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), held a symposium on Tuesday, soliciting opinions and suggestions from private enterprises primarily in the technology sector on the formulation of the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), according to a press release from the NDRC.

At the symposium, chaired by Zheng Shanjie, head of the NDRC, leaders of participating companies spoke freely and put forward many targeted policy suggestions based on production and operating conditions and scientific and technological development trends in their respective fields, the press release said.

Representatives from five private enterprises including Moore Threads from Beijing, Ant Group from East China’s Zhejiang Province, and BGI from South China’s Guangdong Province attended the meeting.

Zheng listened carefully to the suggestions and had in-depth exchanges on the development situation and measures to support scientific and technological innovation during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

Participating companies noted that the next five to ten years will be a crucial period for concentrated breakthroughs in relevant technological fields. They emphasized that China’s institutional strength in mobilizing resources for major undertakings, its vast market potential, and its rich and diverse application scenarios will provide a broad stage and significant opportunities for accelerating technological innovation and product iteration.

At the meeting, the business representatives suggested that when formulating the plan, the country should place greater emphasis on integrating scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, combining technology research and scenario-based application, and aligning market expansion with improvements in people’s livelihoods. They also called for stronger support in key innovation factors such as funding, talent, energy, and data, according to the NDRC press release. 

Company representatives also expressed their commitment to increasing investment in research and development, strengthening independent innovation, and actively contributing to national development strategies, thereby playing a role in promoting high-quality economic and social development.

Zheng stated that the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee attaches great importance to the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan, calling for extensive consultation and consensus building, and listening to opinions and suggestions from the public and all sectors of society through multiple channels. 

Enterprises form an important foundation for China’s high-quality economic development, Zheng said, noting that private enterprises, with their strong innovation drive, great potential, and vitality, are a key force in cultivating new quality productive forces. The thoughts and suggestions put forward by the participating enterprises offer valuable reference for drafting the 15th Five-Year Plan, the official said.

During the drafting of the plan, the NDRC vows to carefully study and incorporate the opinions and suggestions of enterprises, propose more targeted policy measures, and support private enterprises in playing a more active role in promoting technological innovation and building a modern industrial system.

The NDRC also pledged to adhere to and improve the regular communication mechanism between the government and enterprises, widely gather opinions and suggestions from private enterprises, combine broad coverage with tailored support for individual enterprises to help solve practical difficulties, and promote the healthy and high-quality development of the private economy.

Starting in 2026, China will begin implementing the 15th Five-Year Plan. Currently, the CPC Central Committee is organizing the drafting of proposals for the plan, the Xinhua News Agency reported on May 20.

Five-year plans serve as key strategic documents that guide China’s medium- and long-term development. They outline national goals, major tasks and policy directions across various sectors for each five-year period, the report said.

Global Times