The Fourth Plenum is now set for October and will focus on the 15th 5-year plan.
Departing from the conventional agenda of Party governance and internal matters, the change underscores the Party’s concerns.
While exports and investment remain critical, Beijing is showing a marked appreciation for domestic demand.
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Wasteful local subsidy races are in the firing line. Beijing is aiming to break the cycle of overcapacity and involution, trapping firms in low-margin fights.
One-size-fits-all industrial policy is to be replaced by precision, enforcement and local fine-tuning.
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Consumption’s role is rising. With exports plateauing and fiscal room narrowing, policymakers see households as key to steady demand.
Jobs, income, and services must improve in tandem.
Former CPPCC Economic Committee vice president Yang Weimin 杨伟民 puts a number on it: ‘If household consumption can be raised to over 50% of GDP, the PRC’s economic basis will be firmly secured.’
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The challenge?
Balancing priorities.
Scitech self-reliance and state-led investment remain national imperatives.
But lifting consumption means shifting more income to households, not just firms.
Emancipating demand will test how far the system can flex.