Senior lawmakers outline priorities for 15th Five-Year Plan in Guangzhou

Senior lawmakers and regional officials gathered in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, on Tuesday to outline priorities for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), with high-quality development and tech-driven growth emerging as central themes at the opening of the 20th China Economic Forum.

Peng Qinghua, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, said the next planning period will require sustained progress in economic and social development. He urged officials and institutions to focus on policies that support high-quality growth throughout the coming cycle.

High-quality development is the primary task of building a modern socialist country in all respects and an immutable truth of the new era, he said.

Peng said advancing scientific and technological self-reliance remains a central requirement for long-term development. He called for stronger systems that encourage basic research, early-stage innovation, and breakthroughs in key technologies. According to Peng, deeper coordination between technological innovation and industrial upgrading will be essential for maintaining momentum.

He noted that China's overall innovation capacity has been significantly enhanced and cited the country's large pool of scientists, engineers, and research and development personnel.

Guangdong Governor Meng Fanli said the province's economic performance has strengthened over the past five years. Guangdong recorded a gross domestic product of about 14.16 trillion yuan in 2024, compared with 11.37 trillion yuan in 2020.

The forum, organized by China Economic Weekly, opened in Nansha district of Guangzhou and features a main session and several parallel discussions focusing on economic policy and development trends.