The presidium of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, held its first meeting on Wednesday in Beijing.
Zhao Leji, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over the meeting.
The meeting elected the executive chairpersons for the presidium, and also elected seven deputy secretary-generals and a spokesman for the session.
Attendees to the presidium meeting also set the schedule for the NPC session, among other matters. The 14th NPC will be in session for eight days this year from March 5 to 12.
It was decided that the deadline for submitting motions would be 12:00 on March 8.
During the session, the secretariat of the NPC session will study the motions submitted by delegations and deputies, put forward suggestions on handling them, and report them to the presidium.
The presidium was elected by deputies to the 14th NPC at a preparatory meeting that took place earlier on the same day.
Presidium of NPC annual session holds 1st meeting to set session schedule
Presidium of NPC annual session holds 1st meeting to set session schedule
China's 15th Five-Year Plan proposal sends a strong signal of the country's commitment to upholding openness and cooperation, which will promote further development for the country and the world, said officials and scholars around the world.
The draft 15th Five-Year Plan, the blueprint that will guide the world's second-largest economy from 2026 to 2030, is central to steer China to move toward modernization amid technological disruption, demographic shifts and an increasingly fractured global order, according to the scholars.
"China's 15th Five-Year Plan is not a rigid model; it is more like benchmarks for growth targets and focal points. Chinese economists and economic decision-makers are not just focusing on qualitative growth, but also on innovative development. We're witnessing new transportation methods, robotics and artificial intelligence," said Andrey Denisov, first deputy chair of Russia's Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs and former Russian Ambassador to China.
"The 15th Five-Year Plan is of great importance to China's development. The country is poised to make remarkable advancements in various sectors, including artificial intelligence, high-end manufacturing and infrastructure construction. Given the shifting global context and China's transition towards high-quality development, I am confident that this plan will herald a new era for China's development," said Kamel Mansari, news director of the French-language daily Le Jeune Independent.
Scholars also noted that China's commitment to high-quality development and high-level opening-up will promote win-win results and benefit the world.
"China has emerged as a key partner for most countries worldwide, and a preferred partner due to its closeness and integration with global communities, as well as its strong humanitarian perspective. The Chinese economy has not only benefited itself; it has helped many economies worldwide flourish through its partnerships," said Dirgham Muhammad Ali, an Iraqi economic expert.
China's National People's Congress (NPC) is scheduled to open in Beijing on Wednesday, with lawmakers set to approve the 15th Five-Year Plan.
15th Five-Year Plan to guide China's development, benefit world: scholars
