China concluded its Fourth Plenum with decisions on the key directions of the next Five-Year-Plan. The “proposal” for the 15th FYP (2026–2030), based on the Plenum’s decisions, was released shortly after the meeting (October 28, 2025). This proposal will be elaborated and expanded by government agencies, leading to the final 15th FYP which will be formally adopted by the legislature in March 2026. The FYP will present China’s economic and social plan for the next half-decade.
The FYP directions are consistent with the policy developments of previous years as expected. But now they are even emphasized more strongly. Most fundamentally, “high-quality development” is even more highlighted and at the center – with the aim of “significant achievements” in the next five years.
In our Deep Dive, we highlight the below major directions most relevant to German companies:
- Advanced manufacturing becomes even more central
- Achieving tech self-reliance through innovation
- Expanding livelihood-focused consumption
- Established foreign companies in focus
What it means for German companies:
China now even more boldly re-emphasizes its development directions. This might be a good point in time for another evaluation of companies’ China strategies and risk management approaches. The policy directions still create ample space for business opportunities, while German companies should have potential challenging effects even more on their radar.
