Xi stresses key role of public opinion

President Xi Jinping has stressed efforts to study and absorb netizens' opinions and suggestions in formulating China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30).

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remark in a recent instruction?published on Monday, following a monthlong online campaign?to seek public opinion on the blueprint.

He noted that the online solicitation of opinions?and suggestions saw high participation and wide coverage, serving as a vivid example of whole-process people's democracy.

The campaign, which was conducted from May 20 to June 20, gathered more than 3.11 million opinions and suggestions on China's 15th?Five-Year Plan for economic and social development. These views will be compiled and reported to provide reference?in the decision-making?process.

The general public has actively contributed opinions and suggestions, many of which are highly valuable, Xi said, urging relevant departments to thoroughly study and absorb them.

Party committees and governments at all levels must always adhere to a people-centered approach, extensively and thoroughly learning about people's lives, listening to their voices and pooling?their wisdom, thereby building a strong synergy?for advancing Chinese modernization and continuously realizing the people's aspiration for a better life, he added.

China first used online platforms to solicit public opinion on its five-year plan in 2020, during the drafting period of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25).

Starting in 2026, China will begin implementing its 15th Five-Year Plan. Currently, the CPC Central Committee is organizing the drafting of proposals for this plan, and relevant departments are gearing up to solicit opinions and suggestions from officials, the general public, experts and scholars through various channels.

The proposals for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan?will be deliberated at the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, which is scheduled to take place in Beijing in October.

Five-year plans serve as crucial strategic documents guiding China's medium- and long-term development. They outline national goals, major tasks and policy directions in various sectors for each five-year period.?