"We must firmly adhere to Marxism-Leninism" – 4th Plenary Session of the CPC Central Committee
From October 20 to 23, 2025, a significant event took place in the political life of the PRC, and indeed the entire world, given the real place of China's economy in the world (18% of GDP, not according to propaganda PPP, but at face value).
At the 4th Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee on October 23, 2025, decisions were made that summarized the development of the Republic of China during the 14th Five-Year Plan and the direction of the country's development for the 15th Five-Year Plan.
People who lived through the USSR, especially after the perestroika propaganda, still think that the decisions of the Plenums of the Central Committee of the CPSU were unnecessary chatter; they, after all, know exactly how to govern...
So let's look at the main parameters of the PRC's development, according to the perestroika "chatter".
The decision itself begins with the Plenum indicating that it is necessary
Uphold the CPC's all-round leadership and always put the people first.
To this end, the main guidelines for the development of the country's leadership are indicated, based on the ideas of:
Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of Three Represents and the Scientific Outlook on Development, and fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
An important factor, as stated at the Plenum, must be constant oversight of state bodies, because good governance, as stated in the resolution, begins with good governance of the Party. Control and self-control remain an important part of this.
The Plenum communiqué emphasized that the plan for the gradual, step-by-step development of socialism with Chinese characteristics is yielding extensive results, in particular:
Super-large domestic market, complete production system and rich human resources.
It is worth paying attention to the instructions of the Plenum:
Constantly adhering to the basic algorithm of work - progressive forward movement while maintaining stability.
The Plenum emphasized that the country's development is only possible by relying on its own strong industrial base, which must be developed and strengthened. The real sector of the economy is the foundation for the development of the rest of the economy. This will be achieved through the development of modern infrastructure and logistics, and the creation of a modern service sector.
Accelerate the process of transforming China into a world power in terms of the development of manufacturing, space, transportation and network technologies, as well as product quality, maintain a rational share of the manufacturing industry, and create a modern production system based on the advanced manufacturing industry.
At the same time, the chosen path to creating a powerful domestic consumption market, necessary for the development and strengthening of China, must be strengthened, as indicated in the Plenum resolution.
China's conceptual development programs are noteworthy, some of which have already been implemented in practice, not just in ministerial reports, and some of which will need to be implemented. The first program, "Beautiful China," envisions comprehensive socioeconomic development for the country, including resettlement from the shanty towns and villages that abound in the country, construction development, and environmental work—an extremely challenging undertaking in an industrialized country. The second, a "green program," aims to develop the living environment, high-quality nutrition, and pharmaceuticals, among other things, over the next five years.
GDP per capita should reach the level of average developed countries, and the life of the people will become happier and more beautiful.
This, according to the CPC, will mainly lead to the implementation of socialist modernization, that is, it will only lead to the creation of economic and social foundations for socialism:
Green mountains and emerald waters are a priceless treasure.
Next to this program is the "Healthy China" program, which is intended to ensure equal access to public services and high-quality demographic development.
The next important development program for China is “Digital China,” which is associated with the development of China’s own investment potential as a whole and its investment institutions.
The phrase that is repeatedly emphasized is about "man as a basis" All of this was embodied in the foreign policy concept defined by the CPC Plenum and closely linked to the above-mentioned programs. This program is called "Tranquil China."
Its main parameters are, based on industrial potential, the implementation of a “three-step” strategy for the modernization of the army: political, the introduction of the latest achievements and the use of the latest technologies, and strict adherence to the “law”.
The Plenum heard a report from the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China on the serious violations of discipline and law by Generals He Weidong, vice chairman and member of the Central Military Commission, Miao Hua, He Hongjun, Wang Xiubin, Lin Xiangyang, Qin Shutong, Yuan Huazhi, Wang Chunning and Zhang Fengzhong, who were expelled from the Party.
Political scientists, as usual, are reading tea leaves: are these changes simply related to the unprecedented strengthening of the personal power of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Xi Jinping or to the struggle over the "war party?" It seems that this policy is linked to what is stated in the decision, namely, violations of the law or corruption, which, with the development of China's economy along capitalist lines, was bound to permeate the military.
As for the “hawks” and “doves,” the Plenum emphasized that the development of the PRC under the leadership of the CPC will be
to promote the peaceful development of relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, advance the great cause of reunification of the Motherland, and contribute to the construction of a community of shared destiny for mankind.
In this regard, it is noteworthy that the Plenum emphasized that the PRC
It is necessary to expand openness to the outside world at a high level and strive for new horizons in mutually beneficial cooperation.
Undoubtedly, in the current volatile environment, China requires full openness to global markets, particularly the US and Europe. Amid a protracted global crisis, this, in contrast, requires closed markets and state protectionism. This situation poses a significant threat to China's economy and economic development, as well as global programs such as the Belt and Peace Initiative.
We must systematically expand institutional opening-up, safeguard the multilateral trading system, develop international circulation, and promote reform and development through greater opening-up, thereby sharing opportunities with all countries and striving for common development.
The Plenum adopted a framework program for the development of the PRC over the next 15 years:
The implementation period of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) will be decisive as the country works to strengthen the foundations and advance on all fronts to fundamentally realize socialist modernization by 2035.
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