Xi-Trump Meeting: Outcomes & Narrative - Breakdown of Li Qiang and Wang Huning's Takeaways from Fourth Plenum

Hi folks, in today’s edition, I am covering three substantive developments. First, the lead report in the People’s Daily today is the meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.

Before I get to it, a lot has already been said about this meeting and the deal that’s been reached. The way I view the developments: if this is a boxing match, Beijing is ahead on points. There are few reasons for this. First, I argue this because the baseline assumption would have been that the US as the bigger power should have had greater coercive power. But this hasn’t borne out as much. The Chinese side was clearly prepared with a broad toolkit of options to push back, and arguably the Chinese side has better prepared its population to deal with the pain of deep economic friction with the US. Both of these are the basis for confidence. For those watching China closely, this is not all that surprising. Second, US policy has been incredibly incoherent, and often self-defeating, particularly in terms of the treatment of allies and partners. In contrast, China has demonstrated calm, resolve, continuity and a strong grasp of leverage points that it can utilise. Finally, the reason why I argue that Beijing is ahead on points, rather than declaring winners and losers, is because this deal is a pause, for however long it lasts; it’s not the emergence of a new G2 order, as Trump said in his social media posts. I don’t think anyone who is thinking seriously about the world order is buying that argument even in China. That said, for Beijing, it was a rather big win that the US president sent the world the message that China is a peer power. This is the acknowledgement that China has long craved. One will see whether this will translate into tangible concessions by Washington on China’s core concerns. But for the time being, Beijing will certainly go to town with this narrative.

Okay, now to the Chinese readout:

President Xi noted that under our joint guidance, China-U.S. relations have remained stable on the whole. China and the United States should be partners and friends. This is what history has taught us and what reality needs. Given our different national conditions, we do not always see eye to eye with each other and it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then. You and I are at the helm of China-U.S. relations. In the face of winds, waves and challenges, we should stay the right course, navigate through the complex landscape, and ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations. I am ready to continue working with you to build a solid foundation for China-U.S. relations and create a sound atmosphere for the development of both countries. (Note: This language of Xi and Trump being helmsman, plays well into Trump’s self-image of a strongman leader.)

“President Xi emphasized that there is a good momentum in China’s economic development. In the first three quarters of this year, China’s economy increased by 5.2 percent, and import and export trade in goods with the rest of the world expanded by 4 percent. This is not an easy accomplishment given the domestic and external difficulties. The Chinese economy is like a vast ocean, big, resilient and promising. We have the confidence and capability to navigate all kinds of risks and challenges. (Note: This is quite a direct message that Beijing is prepared to deal with the challenges that Trump might throw at it.)

At its fourth plenary session, the 20th CPC Central Committee deliberated over and adopted the recommendations for the economic and social development plan over the next five years. Over the past seven decades and more, we have been working from generation to generation on the same blueprint to make it a reality. We have no intention to challenge or supplant anyone. Our focus has always been on managing China’s own affairs well, improving ourselves, and sharing development opportunities with all countries across the world. And that is an important secret to our success. China will further deepen reform across the board, expand opening up, and promote higher-quality economic growth while achieving an appropriate increase in economic output, and advance well-rounded human development and common prosperity for all. This will also expand the space for cooperation between China and the United States.

President Xi noted that the two teams had an in-depth exchange of views on important economic and trade issues, and reached consensus on solving various issues. They should work out and finalize the follow-up steps as soon as possible, and ensure that the common understandings are effectively upheld and implemented, to inject confidence into the two countries as well as the global economy through solid deliverables. China-U.S. economic and trade relations have experienced ups and downs recently, and this has also given the two sides some insights. The business relationship should continue to serve as the anchor and driving force for China-U.S. relations, not a stumbling block or a point of friction. The two sides should think big and recognize the long-term benefit of cooperation, and must not fall into a vicious cycle of mutual retaliation. The two teams can continue their talks in the spirit of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, and continuously shorten the list of problems and lengthen the list of cooperation.

President Xi stressed that dialogue is better than confrontation. China and the U.S. should maintain communication through various channels and at various levels to enhance mutual understanding. There is good potential for the two countries to work together on combating illegal immigration and telecom fraud, anti-money laundering, artificial intelligence, and responding to infectious diseases. The competent departments should strengthen dialogue and exchanges and carry out mutually beneficial cooperation. China and the U.S. should also engage in positive interactions on regional and international platforms. The world today is confronted with many tough problems. China and the United States can jointly shoulder our responsibility as major countries, and work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and the whole world.

China will host APEC 2026, and the U.S. the G20 summit next year. The two sides can support each other in making both summits productive to promote world economic growth and improve global economic governance…The two presidents agreed to maintain interactions on a regular basis. President Trump looked forward to visiting China early next year, and invited President Xi to visit the United States.

The paper also carries a rather useful, narrative-setting account of the meeting between Trump and Xi—sort of like a reporter’s diary of watching events unfold.

“They entered the room and took their seats. The room was not large, yet a profound conversation spanning the Pacific Ocean was held within arm’s reach. The direction of Sino-US relations rested on either side of the table in the meeting room, and also on the shared choices of more than 1.7 billion Chinese and American people. President Trump opened warmly: ‘I am very honored to meet with my old friend of many years. We are about to have some discussions with the very distinguished and highly respected President of China. I think we have already reached much consensus, and will reach even more today. President Xi is a great leader of a great nation. I believe we will establish a long-term and good relationship. It is a great honor to have you here with us’.

The world’s two largest economies, with vastly different social systems and stages of development, need wisdom, vision, foresight, and responsibility to find the right way to coexist. President Xi’s remarks did not avoid contradictions and problems; they were candid and full of insight: ‘A few days ago, our two countries’ economic and trade teams held a new round of consultations in Kuala Lumpur, reaching basic consensus on addressing each side’s major current concerns, and providing the necessary conditions for today’s meeting. China and the US have different national conditions, and some differences are inevitable. As the world’s two largest economies, friction is normal from time to time’.

He looked around the room, his voice calm and firm: ‘In the face of storms and challenges, the heads of state of our two countries, as helmsmen, should grasp the direction and steer the overall situation, ensuring the smooth progress of the China-US relationship’. The strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy is of vital importance. How to answer the fundamental and overarching question of whether to be rivals or partners? When one looks far, one finds the winds and waves are small; when one rises high, one perceives the sea to be calm. President Xi Jinping clearly stated China’s position: ‘China’s development and revitalization are not contradictory to President Trump’s goal of ‘Making America Great Again.’ China and the United States can absolutely achieve mutual success and common prosperity. For the two countries to be partners and friends, this is the lesson of history and the need of reality’.

Observers commented that China responded forcefully before the ‘tariff tsunami’, ‘maintaining composure, withstanding the pressure, winning respect’. What forged this ‘composure’? It is the strategic determination of firmly standing on the right side of history; it is the spiritual strength and development confidence condensed from the depths of history. President Xi Jinping elaborated: ‘Over the past seven decades and more, we have been working from generation to generation on the same blueprint to make it a reality. We have no intention to challenge or supplant anyone. Our focus has always been on managing China’s own affairs well, improving ourselves, and sharing development opportunities with all countries across the world. And that is an important secret to our success’.

On one side is the need for cooperation, the opportunity for win-win; on the other side is the escalation of friction, the risk of confrontation, creating an obvious imbalance in economic globalisation. On trade and economic issues of international concern, President Xi Jinping, with a strategic vision of ‘those who achieve the big picture can also address the smaller issues’, urged ‘with real and concrete results, provide China, the US, and the world economy a ‘reassurance pill’. He said: ‘Trade and economic relations should continue to be the ballast and engine of China-US relations, not a stumbling block or point of conflict. Both sides should consider the bigger picture, focusing on the long-term benefits of cooperation, rather than falling into a vicious cycle of mutual retaliation’.

President Trump responded: ‘US-China relations have always been good, and they will be even better in the future. I hope the future of both China and the United States will be brighter’.

‘Once the major principles are set, other issues become easier to handle’. The cooperation list between China and the US can keep lengthening. Addressing the challenges faced by human society cannot be done without cooperation between major countries. On this point, President Xi proposed: China and the US can jointly demonstrate their responsibility as major powers and work together to accomplish more major, practical, and beneficial things for both countries and the world’. President Trump agreed: ‘China is America’s largest partner. Together, the two countries can accomplish many great things in the world, and future US-China cooperation will achieve even greater success’.

They jointly looked ahead to the future of China-US relations: Next year, China will serve as host of APEC, the US will host the G20 Summit, and both sides can mutually support each other. President Trump also looked forward to visiting China early next year and invited President Xi to visit the United States.

How will the future of US-China relations and the world in 2025 be depicted? This chapter has been marked by global trade frictions, but its greater historical significance lies in the recalibration and reshaping of US-China relations at a crucial moment. Mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation; China’s propositions have demonstrated their leading value amidst the trials and tribulations. ‘Dialogue is better than confrontation.’ President Xi Jinping’s words perhaps best encapsulate the essence of this meeting, which lasted over 100 minutes.

The meeting concluded close to 1 p.m. local time. The two heads of state emerged from the Blue House VIP lounge looking relaxed. Amidst the clicks of camera shutters, President Trump exclaimed with delight: ‘We had a very good talk, a very successful one.’ He then whispered a few words to President Xi Jinping. The Hongqi stopped at the foot of the steps. What happened next surprised the reporters present: President Trump escorted President Xi Jinping to the car, bidding him farewell once more.

The road ahead is long. Despite the many uncertainties that remain, history has recorded this moment: Three hours after the meeting concluded, the joint arrangements for the China-US Kuala Lumpur trade consultations were announced. Phrases like ‘suspended implementation’ and ‘properly resolved’ are shifting the compass of China-US relations and even the global economy to a new level.”

进屋落座。屋子不大，跨越太平洋的一次深谈，在咫尺之间。中美关系的走向，系于会晤厅桌子的两侧，也系于17亿多中美人民的共同抉择。特朗普总统热情开场：“能与我多年的老朋友见面，我感到非常荣幸。我们即将与非常杰出、备受尊敬的中国国家主席进行一些讨论。我想我们已经达成了很多共识，现在还会达成更多共识。习主席是一个伟大国度的伟大领导人。我相信我们将建立长期良好的关系，非常荣幸您能与我们在一起。”社会制度迥异、发展阶段不同的世界前两大经济体，找到正确相处之道，需要智慧、格局，需要远见、担当。习近平主席的讲述，并不回避矛盾问题，坦诚而充满智慧：“前几天，两国经贸团队在吉隆坡举行了新一轮磋商，就解决各自当前的主要关切达成基本共识，也为我们今天的会晤提供了必要条件。中美两国国情不同，难免有一些分歧，作为世界前两大经济体，时而也会有摩擦，这很正常。”他环顾会场，声音从容坚定：“面对风浪和挑战，两国元首作为掌舵人，应当把握好方向、驾驭住大局，让中美关系这艘大船平稳前行。”元首外交的战略引领举足轻重。是对手还是伙伴，这个根本的、管总的问题如何解答？望远能知风浪小，凌空始觉海波平。习近平主席纲举目张，亮明中国立场：“中国的发展振兴同特朗普总统要实现的‘让美国再次伟大’是并行不悖的，中美两国完全可以相互成就、共同繁荣。两国做伙伴、做朋友，这是历史的启示，也是现实的需要。”观察者点评中国在“关税海啸”前应对有力，“保持了冷静，扛住了压力，赢得了尊重”。什么铸就了这份“冷静”？是坚定站在历史正确一边的战略定力，是从历史深处凝结的精神力量、发展自信。习近平主席娓娓道来：“70多年来，我们坚持一张蓝图绘到底，一茬接着一茬干，从来没有想挑战谁、取代谁，而是集中精力办好自己的事，做更好的自己，同世界各国分享发展机遇。这是中国成功的重要密码。”一面是合作的需要、共赢的机遇，一面是摩擦的升级、对抗的风险，造成经济全球化的明显落差。围绕国际社会关切的经贸问题，习近平主席以“得其大者可以兼其小”的战略格局，督促“以实实在在的成果，给中美两国和世界经济吃下一颗‘定心丸’”。他说：“经贸应该继续成为中美关系的压舱石和推进器，而不是绊脚石和冲突点。双方应该算大账，多看合作带来的长远利益，而不应陷入相互报复的恶性循环。”特朗普总统回应道：“美中关系一直很好，将来会更好，希望中国和美国的未来都更加美好。”“大的原则定了，其他问题就好办了。”中美的合作清单可以不断拉长。解决人类社会面临的挑战离不开大国合作。习近平主席就此提出：“中国和美国可以共同展现大国担当，携手多办一些有利于两国和世界的大事、实事、好事”。特朗普总统表示赞同：“中国是美国最大的伙伴，两国携手可以在世界上做成很多大事，未来美中合作会取得更大成就。”他们共同展望中美关系的未来：明年，中国将担任亚太经合组织东道主，美国将主办二十国集团峰会，双方可以相互支持。特朗普总统还期待明年早些时候访华，邀请习近平主席访问美国。未来，又将如何描绘2025年的中美与世界？这一篇章有席卷全球的经贸摩擦，但更具历史意义的，是在关键时刻对中美关系的再校准、再擘画。相互尊重、和平共处、合作共赢，中国主张在疾风骤雨的淬炼中，愈显其引领价值。“对话比对抗好。”习近平主席这句话，或许是这场持续了100多分钟的会晤，最生动的写照。会晤结束已近当地时间13时。两国元首神情轻松走出蓝屋贵宾室。快门声里，特朗普总统欣喜地说：“我们谈得很好，很成功。”他又同习近平主席低声耳语几句。红旗车停在台阶下。接下来的一幕，令现场记者颇感惊喜：特朗普总统将习近平主席送到红旗车前，再次话别。前路漫漫。尽管仍有诸多不确定性，但历史记下了这一笔：会晤结束3小时后，中美吉隆坡经贸磋商联合安排公布。“暂停实施”“妥善解决”等字眼，正将中美关系乃至全球经济的指针，拨向新的刻度。

On Page 3, there’s a report (English report) on the Ministry of Commerce talking about the deal with the US. This underscores how limited the nature of the deal is at present. The key points are:

• The U.S. side will cancel the 10-percent so-called ‘fentanyl tariffs’ and suspend, for an additional year, the 24-percent reciprocal tariffs levied on Chinese goods, including goods from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region, according to a spokesperson of the ministry. China will make corresponding adjustments to its countermeasures against the aforementioned U.S. tariffs, the spokesperson said, noting that both sides have agreed to continue extending certain tariff exclusion measures.

• The United States will suspend for one year the implementation of a new rule announced on Sept. 29 that expands its ‘entity-list’ export restrictions to any entity that is at least 50 percent owned by one or more entities on the list. China will suspend the implementation of relevant export control measures announced on Oct. 9 for one year and will study and refine specific plans.

• The U.S. side will suspend the implementation of measures under its Section 301 investigation targeting China’s maritime, logistics and shipbuilding industries for one year. In response, China will correspondingly suspend the implementation of its countermeasures against the U.S. side for one year once the U.S. suspension takes effect.

• In addition, the two sides also reached consensus on issues including anti-drug cooperation on fentanyl, expanding agricultural product trade, and the handling of individual cases involving relevant enterprises.

Both sides further confirmed the outcomes of the Madrid economic and trade talks. The U.S. side made positive commitments in areas such as investment, and China will properly resolve issues related to TikTok with the U.S. side. The China-U.S. economic and trade talks in Kuala Lumpur have yielded positive results, demonstrating that by upholding the spirit of equality, respect and mutual benefit, and through dialogue and cooperation, the two sides can find solutions to problems, the spokesperson said. Noting that the outcomes are hard won, the spokesperson said China looks forward to working with the U.S. side to jointly ensure the implementation of the outcomes, and inject more certainty and stability into bilateral economic and trade cooperation as well as the world’s economy. The Chinese side is willing to work with the U.S. side to jointly uphold and implement the important consensus the two heads of state reached at the meeting on Thursday in Busan, during which they had in-depth discussions on issues including China-U.S. economic and trade relations and agreed to strengthen cooperation in economic, trade and other fields.”

Also on Page 3 is a Zhong Sheng commentary. It says that the “the international community paid close attention to this meeting, believing that it sent a positive signal to the world, provided new guidance and impetus for the stable development of China-US relations, and added valuable certainty to a turbulent and transforming world.” 国际社会高度关注此次会晤，认为会晤向世界释放了积极信号，为中美关系稳定发展作出新指引、注入新动力，为动荡变革的世界增添了宝贵的确定性.

Head-of-state diplomacy is the ‘compass’ and the ‘guiding star’ of China–US relations, playing an irreplaceable role in providing strategic guidance for the development of bilateral relations. President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump have long engaged with each other and shown mutual respect, becoming the most valuable strategic asset in China–US relations. Since the beginning of this year, President Xi Jinping and President Trump have spoken three times, maintaining close contact. Whenever China-US relations encounter storms and challenges, it is precisely through such direct communication at the highest level that both sides can transcend differences and frictions in specific areas, build consensus from a strategic and overall perspective, prevent misjudgments, steer the ship of China-US relations in the right direction, and promote steady progress, jointly leading China-US relations to maintain overall stability. 元首外交是中美关系的“指南针”和“定盘星”，对两国关系发展发挥着不可替代的战略引领作用。习近平主席和特朗普总统长期交往、彼此尊重，成为中美关系最宝贵的战略资产。今年以来，习近平主席同特朗普总统3次通话，保持密切联系。每当中美关系遇到风浪和挑战，正是通过这样最高层次的直接沟通，双方才能超越具体领域的分歧和摩擦，从战略和全局高度凝聚共识，防止误判，为中美关系这艘大船把握好方向、驾驭住大局，推动平稳前行，共同引领中美关系保持总体稳定.

It adds that the outcomes of the engagement in Busan “fully shows that, as long as both sides without bending or cutting corners implement the important consensus reached by the two countries’ heads of state, continue to negotiate on the principles of equality, respect, and mutual benefit, both sides can continuously narrow the list of problems and lengthen the list of cooperation, allowing economic and trade relations to continue serving as the ballast stone and propeller of China–US relations.” 这充分表明，只要双方不折不扣落实两国元首达成的重要共识，继续本着平等、尊重、互惠的原则谈下去，双方可以不断压缩问题清单，拉长合作清单，让经贸继续成为中美关系的压舱石和推进器.

The next paragraph says that China’s economic growth and its rise does not necessarily run contrary to the objectives of MAGA. Instead, “its further comprehensive deepening of reforms and expansion of opening up, focusing on promoting effective qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth of the economy, will open up broader space for Sino-US cooperation.”

“The current international situation is intertwined with turbulence and transformation; the world is once again at a critical crossroads. As two major powers with global influence, China and the United States bear special responsibilities. The two countries’ positive interaction on the regional and world stage is the key to responding to the endless stream of global challenges. The two countries have good prospects for cooperation in areas such as combating illegal immigration and telecommunications fraud, money laundering, artificial intelligence, and responding to infectious diseases. China-US cooperation can accomplish many significant, practical, and beneficial things for both countries and the world. This coordination and cooperation within bilateral and multilateral frameworks demonstrates the shared responsibility of both sides as major powers. Next year, China will host the APEC summit, and the US will host the G20 summit. Both sides have agreed to support each other and strive for positive outcomes at both summits, contributing to promoting global economic growth and improving global economic governance. 当前国际形势变乱交织，世界再次处于关键十字路口。作为两个具有全球影响力的大国，中美肩负特殊责任。两国在地区和世界舞台上的良性互动，是应对层出不穷的全球性挑战的关键。两国在打击非法移民和电信诈骗、反洗钱、人工智能、应对传染疾病等领域合作前景良好。中美合作可以办成很多有利于两国和世界的大事、实事、好事，这种在双多边框架下的协调与合作，彰显了双方共同的大国担当。明年，中国将担任亚太经合组织东道主，美国将主办二十国集团峰会，双方同意相互支持，争取两场峰会都取得积极成果，将为促进世界经济增长、完善全球经济治理作出贡献.

“A stable, healthy, and sustainable China-US relationship is in the long-term interests of both countries and is also the common expectation of the international community. The Busan meeting between the two heads of state once again proves that the common interests between China and the United States far outweigh their differences, and cooperation is the only correct choice for both sides. Historical lessons, contemporary needs, and the call of the future all point to one conclusion: the vast earth is large enough to accommodate two major powers, China and the United States, and the two countries can be partners and friends. China hopes that both sides can work together to implement the consensus reached at the meeting between the two heads of state with concrete actions, strengthen dialogue and communication, properly manage differences, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, lay a more solid foundation for China-US relations, benefit the people of both countries, and better benefit the world. 一个稳定、健康、可持续的中美关系符合两国长远利益，也是国际社会共同期待。中美两国元首釜山会晤再次证明，中美之间的共同利益远远大于分歧，合作是双方唯一正确选择。历史的启示，现实的需要，未来的呼唤，都指向一个结论：宽广的地球足以容得下中美两个大国，两国可以做伙伴，做朋友。中方希望双方能够一道，以实际行动落实两国元首会晤共识，加强对话沟通，妥善管控分歧，拓展互利合作，为中美关系打下更为稳固的基础，造福两国人民，更好惠及世界.

Next, I am going to do a breakdown of Li Qiang’s article in the paper yesterday, discussing the Fourth Plenum and the 15th FYP. In the first section, Li tells us:

“It is necessary to grasp the development of the 15th FYP within the context of the historical process of Chinese-style modernisation. The realisation of socialist modernisation is a historical process of step-by-step advancement and continuous development and progress. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, in accordance with the strategic deployment of modernisation, our country has successively formulated and implemented five-year plans, effectively guiding and promoting economic and social development. Especially since the 18th Party Congress, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core has united and led the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups across the country to complete the historic task of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, achieve the first centenary goal, and successfully advance and expand Chinese-style modernisation. The 19th and 20th Party Congresses have made a ‘two-step’ strategic arrangement for comprehensively building a socialist modernised strong country. Among them, on the foundation of comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society, basically realising socialist modernisation by 2035 must be completed through implementing three Five-Year Plans, i.e., the 14th to 16th.’

As a five-year period that connects what came before and what follows after, the 15th FYP must, in its work, achieve consolidation of the foundation and comprehensive exertion of efforts. To consolidate the foundation means to make unremitting efforts and continue to struggle, laying a more solid foundation for basically realising socialist modernisation. During the 14th FYP period, our country effectively responded to the severe impact of the once-in-a-century pandemic and a series of major risks and challenges, achieved new major accomplishments in economic and social development, and realiSed a good beginning in the new journey toward the second centenary goal. During the 15th FYP period, greater attention must be paid to matters that have a fundamental impact on development and security, to consolidate and expand advantages, break through bottlenecks and constraints, and strengthen weak links and shortcomings, making the foundation of development more stable and its resilience stronger. Comprehensive exertion of efforts means to be based on the goals, and around the Five-sphere Integrated Plan and the Four-pronged Comprehensive Strategy, and focus efforts across various fields of economic and social development in order to achieve systemic breakthroughs and overall improvement. Promote the achievement of notable results in high-quality development, promote major breakthroughs in strategic tasks that concern the overall situation of Chinese-style modernisation, and steadily advance toward becoming a moderately developed country. 要把“十五五”发展放在中国式现代化的历史进程中来把握。实现社会主义现代化是一个阶梯式递进、不断发展进步的历史过程。新中国成立以来，围绕现代化建设战略部署，我国接续制定和实施了一个个五年规划（计划），有力引导和推动了经济社会发展。特别是党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央团结带领全党全国各族人民，完成全面建成小康社会历史任务，实现了第一个百年奋斗目标，成功推进和拓展了中国式现代化。党的十九大、二十大就全面建成社会主义现代化强国作出“两步走”战略安排，其中，到2035年基本实现社会主义现代化要在全面建成小康社会基础上，通过实施“十四五”至“十六五”三个五年规划来完成。“十五五”作为承前启后的五年，在工作上要做到夯实基础、全面发力。夯实基础，就是要不懈努力、接续奋斗，为基本实现社会主义现代化奠定更加坚实的基础。“十四五”时期，我国有效应对世纪疫情严重冲击和一系列重大风险挑战，经济社会发展取得新的重大成就，第二个百年奋斗目标新征程实现良好开局。“十五五”时期要更加关注对发展和安全具有基础性影响的事，巩固拓展优势、破除瓶颈制约、补强短板弱项，使发展根基更稳、韧性更强。全面发力，就是要锚定目标，围绕“五位一体”总体布局、“四个全面”战略布局，聚焦经济社会发展各领域协同发力，实现系统性突破、整体性提升。推动高质量发展取得显著成效，推动事关中国式现代化全局的战略任务取得重大突破，稳步向中等发达国家迈进.

It is necessary to grasp the development of the 15th FYP within the context of the profound changes unseen in a century that are taking place in the world. The world today is experiencing intensified turmoil and transformation. Unilateralism and protectionism are severely impacting international rules and order, while a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is accelerating, reshaping the competitive and cooperative relationships between nations. During the 15th FYP period, the global political and economic landscape will continue to undergo great adjustments, great divergences, and great restructuring (大调整、大分化、大重组), with an increase in uncertainty and unpredictability. However, the general trend of world multipolarization and economic globalisation is irreversible, and China’s development will continue to experience strategic opportunities and risks and challenges coexisting. This requires us to better grasp the dialectical relationship between danger and opportunity, certainty and uncertainty, and respond to challenges and promote development with a more active and enterprising attitude. On one hand, we must look toward the world, actively identify changes, respond to changes, seek changes, and gain the strategic initiative amid fierce international competition. Facing the profound and complex changes in the international situation, we must have a forward-looking grasp of the new circumstances and new trends that affect our country’s development, shape a new pattern of our country’s relations with the world, and create an external environment favorable to us. We must expand high-level opening up to the outside world, actively expand independent opening up, improve the quality and level of trade and investment cooperation, open up diversified and stable overseas markets, jointly build BRI with high quality, enhance our country’s competitiveness in the global industrial division of labour, and strengthen our discourse power in the international circulation.”

“On the other hand, we must focus on our domestic situation, concentrate our efforts on managing our own affairs well, and use the certainty of high-quality development to cope with various uncertainties. Facing potentially turbulent or even stormy international situations, as long as domestic development remains healthy and stable, we will have greater confidence in withstanding shocks and meeting tests. We must implement the requirements of high-quality development across all areas and aspects of economic and social development, and reflect them in all links and the whole process of development goals, policies, and actions, thereby achieving greater breakthroughs in accelerating the cultivation of new driving forces and promoting the optimisation and upgrading of the economic structure, further strengthening the domestic circulation promoting the domestic and international dual circulation, and forming new advantages for future-oriented development. In short, it is necessary to grasp the grand logic of the once-in-a-century global changes, and, with a proactive historical spirit, continuously expand the development space for Chinese-style modernisation.　要把“十五五”发展放在世界百年变局的深刻演进中来把握。当今世界动荡变革加剧，一些单边主义、保护主义行径严重冲击国际规则和秩序，同时新一轮科技革命和产业变革加速突破，国家间的竞争合作关系面临重塑。“十五五”时期，全球政治经济格局将继续经历大调整、大分化、大重组，不确定难预料因素增多，但世界多极化、经济全球化大势不可逆转，我国发展面临的战略机遇和风险挑战并存。这就要求我们更好把握危与机、确定性与不确定性的辩证关系，更加积极有为地应对挑战、推动发展。一方面，要放眼世界，积极识变应变求变，在激烈国际竞争中赢得战略主动。面对国际形势的深刻复杂变化，要前瞻性把握新情况新动向对我国发展的影响，塑造我国和世界关系新格局，营造于我有利的外部环境。要扩大高水平对外开放，积极扩大自主开放，提升贸易投资合作质量和水平，开拓多元稳定的海外市场，高质量共建“一带一路”，提升我国在全球产业分工中的竞争力，增强在国际循环中的话语权。另一方面，要立足国内，集中力量办好自己的事，以高质量发展的确定性应对各种不确定性。面对国际上可能遇到的风高浪急甚至惊涛骇浪，只要国内发展保持健康平稳，我们抵御冲击、应对考验就更有底气。要把高质量发展要求贯彻到经济社会发展各领域各方面，体现到发展目标、政策和行动各环节全过程，在加快培育新动能、促进经济结构优化升级等方面取得更大突破，进一步做强国内循环、促进国内国际双循环，形成引领未来的发展新优势。总之，要把握世界百年变局的大逻辑，以历史主动精神克难关、战风险、迎挑战，不断拓展中国式现代化的发展空间。

In the second section, Li tells us that the Proposal document that was issued provides “guiding principles” for the 15th FYP. He first outlines the elements from the guiding ideology section of the document, and then says:

“This guiding ideology embodies the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, providing strategic guidance for the 15th FYP’s development. It is necessary to deeply understand its core essence and innovative viewpoints: From the perspective of mission and tasks, the report of the 20th Party Congress clearly defined the central task of the Party in the new era and on the new journey as building a modern socialist country in all respects and achieving the second centenary goal, and comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-style modernisation. The goals, tasks, ideas, and measures of the 15th FYP must closely revolve around this central task, concentrating all efforts and eliminating all interference to continue advancing Chinese-style modernisation.” 这一指导思想集中体现了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的世界观和方法论，对“十五五”发展作出战略指引。我们要深刻领会其核心要义和创新观点：从使命任务看，党的二十大报告明确了新时代新征程党的中心任务，就是全面建成社会主义现代化强国、实现第二个百年奋斗目标，以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴。“十五五”发展的目标任务、思路举措要紧紧围绕这一中心任务展开，集中一切力量、排除一切干扰，接续推进中国式现代化建设.

From a strategic perspective, it is essential to pay greater attention to coordinating the domestic and international situations. A distinctive feature of the 15th FYP period is that relations between major powers will influence the international situation, and the evolution of the international situation will profoundly affect domestic development. This requires us to more consciously plan and promote national development within a global context, adhere to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, persist in taking economic construction as the central task, expand international cooperation space and address external risks through increased openness, maximise benefits and minimise harm, seize the initiative, and ensure the steady and long-term progress of Chinese-style modernisation.” 从战略取向看，要更加注重统筹国内国际两个大局。“十五五”时期的一个鲜明特征就是大国关系牵动国际形势，国际形势演变深刻影响国内发展。这就要求我们更加自觉地把国家发展置于全球格局中谋划推进，坚持稳中求进工作总基调，坚持以经济建设为中心，在扩大开放中拓展国际合作空间、应对外部风险，趋利避害、把握主动，确保中国式现代化行稳致远.

“From the perspective of the development path, the theme should be promoting high-quality development, with reform and innovation as the fundamental driving force, meeting the people’s ever-growing needs for a better life as the fundamental purpose, and comprehensively strengthening Party discipline as the fundamental guarantee. This elucidates the theme, driving force, purpose, and guarantee of development, and plays an important guiding role in the 15th FYP’s development. From the perspective of goals, the aim is to promote effective qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth in the economy, to take solid steps towards the all-round development of people and common prosperity for all, and to ensure decisive progress in basically realising socialist modernisation. Achieving ‘decisive progress’ means accelerating the realisation of breakthroughs from quantitative change to qualitative change, obtaining landmark achievements in high-quality development and high-quality life, ensuring that by 2035 on schedule basically realise socialist modernisation.” 从发展路径看，要以推动高质量发展为主题，以改革创新为根本动力，以满足人民日益增长的美好生活需要为根本目的，以全面从严治党为根本保障。这阐述了发展的主题、动力、目的和保障，对“十五五”发展具有重要导向作用。从目标指向看，要推动经济实现质的有效提升和量的合理增长，推动人的全面发展、全体人民共同富裕迈出坚实步伐，确保基本实现社会主义现代化取得决定性进展。取得“决定性进展”意味着加快实现从量变到质变的突破，在高质量发展、高品质生活上取得标志性成果，确保到2035年如期基本实现社会主义现代化.

Li then highlights the six principles that are mentioned in the document. These are:

• Upholding the Party’s overall leadership

• putting the people first

• pursuing high-quality development

• comprehensively deepening reform

• promoting both an efficient market and a well-functioning government

• ensuring both development and security

He says that these “form an organic whole, reflecting the Party’s deepened and enhanced understanding of the laws of development”.

“Among these, the Party’s overall leadership is the fundamental guarantee, while putting the people first embodies the fundamental stance and value pursuit of economic and social development. Promoting high-quality development is the theme of economic and social development and the primary task of building a modern socialist country in all respects. Reform is the driving force of development. Combining an effective market with a well-functioning government is an important method of economic governance. And coordinating development and security is a major proposition under the new circumstances.” 其中，党的全面领导是根本保证，人民至上体现了经济社会发展的根本立场和价值追求，推动高质量发展是经济社会发展的主题，也是全面建设社会主义现代化国家的首要任务，改革是发展的动力，有效市场和有为政府相结合是经济治理的重要方法，统筹发展和安全是新形势下的重大命题.

He then makes three points to understand these.

• First, grasping the fundamental guarantee. The key to managing China’s affairs well lies in the Party. The Proposal takes the Party’s overall leadership as the first principle that must be followed, which requires us to more consciously integrate the Party’s leadership into all aspects and the entire process of economic and social development, and better transform China’s institutional advantages into national governance effectiveness and development advantages.

• Second, firmly upholding the stance of putting people first. Putting the people first embodies our Party’s fundamental purpose and original mission. We must respect the people’s principal position, fully mobilise their enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity, and ensure that development is for the people, relies on the people, and its fruits are shared by the people.

• Third, strengthening the systemic concept. Economic and social development is a complex and systematic project. To fully, accurately, and comprehensively implement the new development concept, we must strengthen forward-looking thinking, overall planning, strategic layout, and holistic advancement, properly handle major relationships, such as those between reform and development, government and market, and development and security, and promote new leaps in all aspects of our work. A key characteristic of the work during the 15th FYP period is doing certain things well in an uncertain environment. The ‘Six Principles’ provide certainty for China’s development and must be firmly grasped.

这六个方面统一于我国发展和治理的生动实践，从整体上深入领会把握需要突出三个方面：一是把握根本保证。办好中国的事情，关键在党。《建议》把党的全面领导作为必须遵循的第一条原则，这就要求我们更加自觉地把党的领导贯穿经济社会发展各方面全过程，把我国制度优势更好转化为国家治理效能和发展优势。二是坚定人民立场。人民至上体现了我们党的根本宗旨和初心使命，要尊重人民主体地位，全面调动人的积极性主动性创造性，做到发展为了人民、发展依靠人民、发展成果由人民共享。三是强化系统观念。经济社会发展是一个复杂系统工程，要完整准确全面贯彻新发展理念，加强前瞻性思考、全局性谋划、战略性布局、整体性推进，处理好改革和发展、政府和市场、发展和安全等重大关系，推动各方面工作实现新的跃升。“十五五”时期工作的一大特征就是在不确定环境下做好确定性的事情，“六个坚持”为我国发展提供了确定性原则，必须牢牢把握.

In the third and final section Li makes four points, calling for the need to push forward or drive the overall situation through key breakthroughs. The four points are:

• It is essential to accelerate the construction of a new development pattern and firmly grasp the initiative in development. The key point in this is to “place greater emphasis on strengthening the domestic circulation, coordinating the implementation of strategies to expand domestic demand and deepen supply-side structural reforms, using the inherent stability and long-term growth potential of the domestic circulation to offset the uncertainties of the international circulation. Building a unified national market is a key reform for strengthening the domestic circulation. We must focus on unifying basic market institutions, market infrastructure, unifying government behaviour standards, unifying market supervision and law enforcement, unifying factor and resource markets, continuously expanding domestic and international openness, further eliminating local protectionism and market segmentation, and continuously releasing the dividends of a super-large-scale market. Of course, strengthening the big domestic circulation does not mean abandoning international circulation. We must unswervingly expand high-level opening-up, expand international circulation through multiple channels, enhance the linkage effect between domestic and international markets and resources, and accelerate the formation of a more competitive and resilient dual circulation. 要加快构建新发展格局，牢牢掌握发展主动权。构建新发展格局明确了我国经济现代化的路径选择，是我国把握发展主动权的先手棋。大国经济具有内需为主导、内部可循环的独特优势，“十五五”时期要把发展立足点更多放在做强国内大循环上，统筹实施扩大内需战略和深化供给侧结构性改革，以国内大循环的内在稳定性和长期成长性对冲国际循环的不确定性。建设全国统一大市场是做强国内大循环的关键性改革，要着力统一市场基础制度、统一市场基础设施、统一政府行为尺度、统一市场监管执法、统一要素资源市场，持续扩大对内对外开放，进一步消除地方保护和市场分割，持续释放超大规模市场红利。当然，做强国内大循环绝不是不要国际循环，要坚定不移扩大高水平对外开放，多途径拓展国际循环，增强国内国际两个市场两种资源的联动效应，加快形成更具竞争力和安全韧性的国内国际双循环.

• Promote the deep integration of technological innovation and industrial innovation to accelerate the development of new-quality productive forces. “During the 15th FYP period, facing the new situation of high-quality development and great power competition, it is necessary to place developing new-quality productive forces according to local conditions in an even more prominent strategic position.” Li calls to boost Scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation as “the basic paths for developing new quality productive forces.” He calls to “continuously exert efforts in strengthening original innovation and tackling key core technologies to accelerate the realisation of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance”. He also calls to focus on the “application” of scientific and technological innovation. And he says: “it should be noted that the development of new quality productive forces requires certain endowment conditions. It is necessary to adhere to scientific rationality and adapt measures to local conditions, giving full play to comparative advantages to promote the development of new quality productive forces.” 需要注意的是，发展新质生产力需要有一定的禀赋条件，要坚持科学理性、因地制宜，发挥比较优势推动新质生产力发展. (Note: Honestly, this is a very sound attitude, based on reason rather than ideology.)

• The third point is about focussing on livelihoods and common prosperity. Li argues: Currently, the problems of unbalanced and insufficient development in our country are still rather prominent, and there are still quite a few shortcomings in public services. It is necessary to pay attention to organically combining the improvement of people’s livelihood with the expansion of domestic demand, and to cultivate new points of economic growth in the process of solving the issues that people see as urgent and difficult, and those that they are most anxious about, thereby enhancing people’s well-being. It is necessary to strengthen the employment-first orientation, implement the plan for increasing residents’ income, continuously expand the economic pie, while at the same time optimising income distribution, accelerating the promotion of income growth for low-income groups, and continuously expanding the middle-income group. Greater emphasis should be placed on investing in people and serving people’s livelihood, strengthening the construction of inclusive, basic, and bottom-line livelihood projects, introducing a batch of livelihood policy measures with strong balance and accessibility, focusing on resolving livelihood issues such as employment, social security, education, medical care, elderly care, and childcare, and forming a virtuous cycle between economic development and improvement of people’s livelihood. The urban-rural gap and regional disparities in China remain significant. We must further promote people-centered new urbanisation, accelerate comprehensive rural revitalisation, optimise the regional layout, and improve the level of coordinated urban-rural and regional development. 当前我国发展不平衡不充分问题仍较突出，公共服务还存在不少短板。要注重把改善民生与扩大内需有机结合起来，在解决群众急难愁盼问题、增进民生福祉中培育新的经济增长点。要强化就业优先导向，实施居民增收计划，持续做好做大“蛋糕”，同时优化收入分配，加快促进低收入者增收，持续扩大中等收入群体。更加注重投资于人、服务于民生，加强普惠性、基础性、兜底性民生建设，推出一批均衡性可及性强的民生政策举措，着力解决就业、社保、教育、医疗、养老、托幼等民生问题，形成经济发展和民生改善的良性循环。我国城乡区域差距仍然较大，要深入推进以人为本的新型城镇化，加快乡村全面振兴，优化区域布局，提高城乡区域协调发展水平.

• Finally, better coordinate development and security, using a new security pattern to safeguard the new development pattern. Advancing Chinese-style modernisation is an entirely new undertaking, and on the road ahead it is inevitable to encounter various difficulties, contradictions, and risks and challenges. It is necessary to persist in consolidating security through development and pursuing development through security, enhancing economic and social resilience. Development is the foundation of security. Ultimately, resolving prominent contradictions and problems and preventing and mitigating risks and hidden dangers depends on development. We must seek security based on continuously strengthening our material and technological capabilities, promoting high-level security through high-quality development. Security is the prerequisite for development. We must comprehensively consider internal and external risks and challenges, and effectively prevent and mitigate risks in key areas. At the same time, we must strengthen the construction of a long-term risk prevention mechanism, prepare contingency plans and policy reserves, firmly uphold the bottom line of preventing systemic risks, and safeguard high-quality development with high-level security. 要更好统筹发展和安全，以新安全格局保障新发展格局。推进中国式现代化是一项全新的事业，前进道路上必然会遇到各种困难矛盾和风险挑战。要坚持在发展中固安全、在安全中谋发展，增强经济和社会韧性。发展是安全的基础。破解突出矛盾问题、防范化解风险隐患，归根到底要靠发展，要在不断壮大物质技术基础上谋求安全，以高质量发展促进高水平安全。安全是发展的前提。要通盘考虑内外部风险挑战，有力有效防范化解重点领域风险。同时，加强风险防范长效机制建设，做好应对预案和政策储备，牢牢守住不发生系统性风险底线，以高水平安全保障高质量发展.

In today’s paper, there’s an article by Wang Huning on the spirit of the plenum. Wang focuses on deepening economic system reform and promoting high-quality development. He begins by telling us that reform is key to further development. He writes:

As General Secretary Xi Jinping has profoundly pointed out, the new development concept was formed through reform, the ideological concepts and institutional-mechanism drawbacks that influence and constrain high-quality development are eliminated in reform, the economy’s effective qualitative elevation and reasonable quantitative growth are also gradually realised in reform. During the 15th FYP period, promoting high-quality development will still be the main theme of China’s economic and social development. It is necessary to focus on the institutional and mechanism-related obstacles that constrain high-quality development, advance deep-level reform, expand high-level opening, promote better adaptation between the relations of production and productive forces, the superstructure and the economic base, and national governance and social development, thereby continuously enhancing development momentum and social vitality. In 2024, the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC made strategic arrangements for further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese-style modernisation. The reform arrangements in the Proposal are consistent with the deployments of the Third Plenary Session in their goal orientation, and continuous and progressive in their major deployments. We must take a holistic approach and push economic system reform to a deeper level. 正如习近平总书记深刻指出的，新发展理念是在改革中形成的，影响和制约高质量发展的思想观念和体制机制弊端是在改革中破除的，经济发展质的有效提升和量的合理增长也是在改革中逐步实现的。“十五五”时期，推动高质量发展依然是我国经济社会发展的主题，必须聚焦制约高质量发展的体制机制障碍，推进深层次改革，扩大高水平开放，推动生产关系和生产力、上层建筑和经济基础、国家治理和社会发展更好相适应，持续增强发展动力和社会活力。2024年，党的二十届三中全会对进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化作出战略部署。《建议》有关改革安排同三中全会部署在目标指向上一以贯之、在重大部署上接续递进。我们要统筹把握，把经济体制改革推向深入.

In the second section, he discusses key tasks and major measures for economic development in seven aspects.

• First, deepening reform around building a modern industrial system and consolidating and strengthening the foundation of the real economy. “A strong real economy is the root of China’s development advantages and foundation. The transformation of scientific and technological achievements into real productive forces manifests as the emergence of new industries and the promotion of deep industrial transformation and upgrading. Therefore, it is essential to promptly apply scientific and technological innovation achievements to specific industries and industrial chains, optimise and upgrade traditional industries, cultivate and strengthen emerging industries, plan the layout of future industries, thereby improving the modern industrial system.” 实体经济强是我国发展优势所在、根基所在。科技成果转化为现实生产力，表现形式为催生新产业、推动产业深度转型升级。因此，我们要及时将科技创新成果应用到具体产业和产业链上，优化提升传统产业，培育壮大新兴产业，布局建设未来产业，完善现代化产业体系. He then reiterates the point of maintaining manufacturing as the “backbone” of the economy, and calls to “improve the level of self-reliance and control of the industrial chain” and focus on building “a modern infrastructure system”.

• Second, focus on deepening reform around accelerating high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening, to lead the development of new-quality productive forces. Wang tells us that the distinctive characteristic of new-quality productive forces is innovation; this entails both innovation at the technology and business model, and also includes innovation at the management and system levels. 新质生产力的显著特点是创新，既包括技术和业态模式层面的创新，也包括管理和制度层面的创新，必须继续做好创新这篇大文章. Among other things, in this aspect, Wang stresses the need to “seize the historical opportunity of the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, coordinate the building of an education power, a science and technology power, and a talent power, enhance the overall effectiveness of the national innovation system, comprehensively strengthen independent innovation capability, and seize the commanding heights of technological development…” 为此，《建议》提出，要抓住新一轮科技革命和产业变革历史机遇，统筹教育强国、科技强国、人才强国建设，提升国家创新体系整体效能，全面增强自主创新能力，抢占科技发展制高点....

• Third, deepen reforms around building a strong domestic market and accelerate the construction of a new development pattern. In this, Wang argues that “in vigorously boosting consumption, it is essential to grasp well reform measures such as enhancing residents’ consumption capacity, expanding the supply of high-quality consumer goods and services, improving the institutional mechanisms for promoting consumption, and strengthening the incentive mechanism for green consumption. In expanding effective investment, it is essential to promote reforms in the direction of maintaining reasonable investment growth, improving investment efficiency, optimising the structure of government investment, leveraging the guiding role of government investment funds, stimulating private investment vitality, and increasing the proportion of private investment.” 为此，在大力提振消费方面，要突出抓好增强居民消费能力，扩大优质消费品和服务供给，完善促进消费制度机制，健全绿色消费激励机制等改革举措。在扩大有效投资方面，要推动改革朝着保持投资合理增长、提高投资效益，优化政府投资结构，发挥政府投资基金引导带动作用，激发民间投资活力、提高民间投资比重等方向发力. He also talks about boosting the building of a national unified market. But there’s nothing in there that’s interpretive of the Proposal document. He simply reiterated key points.

• Fourth, Wang calls to “accelerate the construction of a high-level socialist market economy and enhance the driving force for high-quality development”. He says that the approach of “enabling the market to play a decisive role in resource allocation while better leveraging the government’s role” is a “major innovation of our Party in theory and practice.” In this he makes three points. First, fully stimulate the vitality of various business entities, adhere to and implement the Two Unwaverings, and promote complementary advantages and common development among various ownership economies. Deepen the reform of state-owned assets and enterprises, and strengthen, optimise, and expand state-owned enterprises and state-owned capital. Implement the Law on Promoting the Private Economy, and legally and institutionally guarantee equal access to factors of production, fair participation in market competition, and effective protection of legitimate rights and interests. Second, accelerate the improvement of the market-oriented allocation system and mechanism for factors of production, promote the efficient allocation of various factor resources, and establish and improve a unified urban and rural construction land market, a fully functional capital market, a smoothly flowing labour market, and a highly efficient technology market. Third, strengthen the coordination of fiscal and monetary policies to enhance the effectiveness of macroeconomic governance. Deepen fiscal and tax system reforms to enhance fiscal sustainability. Improve the central bank system, build a scientific and sound monetary policy system and a comprehensive macro-prudential management system, and improve the capital market functions that coordinate investment and financing. 一是充分激发各类经营主体活力，坚持和落实“两个毫不动摇”，促进各种所有制经济优势互补、共同发展。深化国资国企改革，做强做优做大国有企业和国有资本。落实民营经济促进法，从法律和制度上保障平等使用生产要素、公平参与市场竞争、有效保护合法权益。二是加快完善要素市场化配置体制机制，促进各类要素资源高效配置，建立健全城乡统一的建设用地市场、功能完善的资本市场、流动顺畅的劳动力市场、转化高效的技术市场。三是加强财政、货币政策协同，提升宏观经济治理效能。深化财税体制改革，增强财政可持续性。完善中央银行制度，构建科学稳健的货币政策体系和覆盖全面的宏观审慎管理体系，健全投资和融资相协调的资本市场功能.

• Fifth, deepen reforms to expand high-level opening-up and create a new situation of win-win cooperation. “General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, we must strengthen the big domestic circulation’s endogenous momentum and reliability, and with this form a strong attraction force for global factor resources, strong competitiveness in fierce international competition, and strong driving force in global resource allocation. The more other countries engage in building ‘small yards with high fences’ and ‘decoupling and breaking chains’, the more we must unswervingly persist in high-level opening up to the outside world. During the 15th FYP period in order to further expand high-level opening up to the outside world, it is necessary to steadily expand institutional opening up, maintain the multilateral trade system, and broaden international circulation. We must actively expand independent opening up, align with international high-standard economic and trade rules, expand market access and fields of openness with a focus on the service sector, and broaden areas and regions of unilateral opening up. We must promote innovative development of trade, improve the quality and efficiency of foreign trade, vigorously develop trade in services, innovate and develop digital trade, and improve export control and security review mechanisms. We must build BRI with high quality, and strengthen coordination and management of cooperation planning. 围绕扩大高水平对外开放深化改革，开创合作共赢新局面。习近平总书记指出，我们要增强国内大循环内生动力和可靠性，并以此形成对全球要素资源的强大吸引力、在激烈国际竞争中的强大竞争力、在全球资源配置中的强大推动力。别国越是搞“小院高墙”、“脱钩断链”，我们越要坚持高水平对外开放不动摇。“十五五”时期，进一步扩大高水平对外开放，需要稳步扩大制度型开放，维护多边贸易体制，拓展国际循环。要积极扩大自主开放，对接国际高标准经贸规则，以服务业为重点扩大市场准入和开放领域，扩大单边开放领域和区域。要推动贸易创新发展，促进外贸提质增效，大力发展服务贸易，创新发展数字贸易，完善出口管制和安全审查机制。要高质量共建“一带一路”，强化合作规划统筹管理.

• Sixth, deepen reforms to accelerate agricultural and rural modernization, optimize regional economic layout, and promote coordinated urban-rural and regional development.

• Seventh, deepen reforms to accelerate the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development and build a Beautiful China.

In the final section, Wang makes four points on what it takes to implement this agenda.

• First, adhere to the correct direction, i.e., “earnestly study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s series of new thoughts, viewpoints, and conclusions on comprehensively deepening reform and scientifically apply the stances, viewpoints, and methods running through them…”

• Second, strengthen overall coordination, i.e., policy and implementation coordination across various organs and departments.

• Encourage exploration and innovation. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasised that it is necessary to promote a virtuous interaction and organic combination between top-level design and grassroots exploration. We must consciously take into account the overall situation, and go all out in implementing the principles, measures, and requirements set forth by the Party Central Committee without bending or cutting corners. At the same time, we must closely integrate with actual conditions, accurately identify the principal contradictions and the principal aspects of contradictions we face, formulate specific reform measures suited to reality, and prevent blind copying and one-size-fits-all approaches. （三）鼓励探索创新。习近平总书记强调，要推动顶层设计和基层探索良性互动、有机结合。我们要自觉在大局下行动，全力以赴把党中央确定的原则、明确的举措、提出的要求不折不扣贯彻落实好。同时，要紧密结合实际，找准自身面临的主要矛盾和矛盾的主要方面，制定切合实际的具体改革举措，防止照搬照抄、上下一般粗.

• Ensure reform effectiveness. General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasised: one part planning, nine parts implementation. We must stare at the hardest bones to gnaw and precisely exert force, improve a reform implementation mechanism with clear responsibilities, complete chains, and links interlocking with each other, establish a strong coordination and advancement mechanism, intensify the strength of inspection and effectiveness assessment, make good use of supervision, inspection, and inspection-tour means, and with the spirit of nailing nails, grasp implementation well. 确保改革实效。习近平总书记反复强调，一分部署、九分落实。我们要盯住最难啃的硬骨头精准发力，健全责任明晰、链条完整、环环相扣的改革落实机制，建立强有力的协调推进机制，加大督察问效力度，用好监督检查和巡视巡察手段，以钉钉子精神抓好落实.