China's 15th Five-Year Plan Targets Growth and Innovation 2026‑2030

China’s National People’s Congress approved the Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan on 12 March 2026, outlining the nation’s development blueprint for 2026‑2030. The plan aims to double per‑capita GDP by 2035, which requires an average annual growth of about 4.2 % and a shift toward “high‑quality development” across twenty key indicators covering the economy, innovation, livelihoods, green growth and security.

Key priorities include accelerating R&D spending – targeting more than a 7 % yearly increase and reaching roughly 2.8 % of GDP – and strengthening autonomous supply chains, industrial modernization, and domestic consumption. While the plan offers opportunities for EU firms and global supply chains, analysts note domestic obstacles such as budget constraints, a recent decline in fixed‑asset investment, weak consumer sentiment, an aging population and slowing productivity growth that could hinder full implementation.