Building on priorities set at the December 2025 Central Economic Work Conference, the fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) opened in Beijing on March 4, 2026, with President Xi Jinping in attendance. The fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) convenes March 5-12 to deliberate the government work report and draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). Spokesperson Lou Qinjian highlighted plans to expand opening-up, boost consumption, and advance sci-tech self-reliance amid ongoing economic pressures.
The CPPCC session opened at the Great Hall of the People, where Chairman Wang Huning reported that the CPPCC handled 5,992 proposals in 2025 with a 99.9% handling rate.
The NPC session will review key documents including the government work report, 15th Five-Year Plan draft, budget reports, and bills like the environmental code. Lou Qinjian noted China's robust manufacturing base and projected middle-income population exceeding 800 million, creating vast market potential.
Emphasizing opening-up during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China aims to expand institutional openness, protect multilateral trade, and foster two-way investment. 2025 saw breakthroughs in humanoid robots, with calls for global collaboration on ethics. Lawmakers will advance laws on childcare, social assistance, and medical insurance to enhance livelihoods and consumption. China also urged halting Middle East military actions, respecting Iran's sovereignty, and opposing external interference.
These sessions launch the 15th Five-Year Plan era, prioritizing high-quality development, new quality productive forces, and green transitions.
