China issues 13th Five-Year Plan communique
中國公布第13個五年計劃

The 5th plenary session of the 18th CPC central committee came to an end early this afternoon. During the last day of the plenum, party leaders issued suggestions to the 13th Five-Year Plan that maps out strategies for the economic and social development in China from 2016 to 2020. Tang Bo has more.

The 5th plenary session of the 18th CPC central committee stresses that, to achieve the goals of building a moderately prosperous society and promoting sustainable and healthy economic and social development, the following principles should be followed:

They are adherence to the dominant position of the people, to scientific development and deepening reform, to the rule of law, to the consideration of both domestic and international situations, and adherence to the party's leadership.

The plenum also stresses on the requirements needed for building up a well-off society, which include maintaining the economic growth at a midium-high speed, doubling the gross domestic product and per capita income of urban and rural residents by 2020 from 2010, increasing the contribution of consumption to economic growth, and improving the household population urbanization rate.

The requirements also include the significant improvement of agricultural modernization and people's living standards and qualities, overcoming poverty in rural area under the current standards of fighting poverty, as well as the improvement of social civilization and ecological environmental quality.

And China will adopt a two-child policy according to the draft. (graphics out)

The new plan is considered strategically important as 2020 will be the last year of realizing China's goal of a moderately well-off society in all respects.

Many people believe that the goal will be easily achieved, given the successful performance of the current five-year plan.

They also believe there is room for another successful performance in the next five years.

"What China needs to improve most over the next five years is its medical care. It's not well balanced, as the medical care facilities in big cities like Beijing are good, but not so much in small cities and remote areas," said a man.

"I hope our educational system can learn more from the West. It needs to be more liberal, so that students can learn what they are interested in. That can help us bring up more talented people for society," said a woman.

"China's economy is now transforming. Weeding out sunset industries and developing high-tech ones is crucial for China's further development. Some industries have been quite profitable, but at the same time harmful to sustainable development. So we need to give up on them and find new and sustainable ways for China's economy," said a man.

Based on the suggestions given by the plenary session, China's National and Development and Reform Commission will then finalize the five year plan. Its final version will be approved by the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature in March next year.