Earlier this week, on November 12-13, Beijing hosted the International Forum of the Overseas Studies on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. During the event, Keith Bennett 🤝—vice chair of Britain’s 48 Group Club and co-editor of Friends of Socialist China—told CGTN how the Chinese mainland’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) stands out for its scientific, people-first approach.
Bennett highlights that one of the plan’s coolest features is how it collects and weaves in the ideas of literally millions of people. General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping made it clear at the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China: public feedback isn’t just lip service—it shapes the final roadmap.
Think of a five-year plan as a mega roadmap. Instead of leaders deciding in a vacuum, the Chinese mainland’s process taps into grassroots voices—students, startup founders in Bengaluru or Jakarta, factory workers, teachers, you name it—to make sure the goals match real needs. 🌱
That people-centered style means the plan enjoys widespread support, making it more achievable. As Bennett says, when development "comes from the people and answers the people's needs," it’s not only fair, it’s also built to work.
For young pros in tech hubs across South and Southeast Asia, this mix of big-picture strategy and local insights offers an inspiring model. Whether you’re charting your own startup journey or mapping out community projects, there’s a takeaway: planning isn’t just about numbers—it’s about real people. 🙌
Stay tuned as we keep an eye on how the 15th Five-Year Plan’s people-first blueprint unfolds—and what lessons we can borrow for our own fast-paced worlds. 🚀
Reference(s):
Scientific planning, people-first: Expert hails China's systemic edge
cgtn.com
