By Tong Defa, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana
The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was held from October 20 to 23, 2025. The meeting outlined the Recommendations for Formulating China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), setting the direction for the country’s economic and social development over the next five years. The new plan continues China’s long-term approach to modernization, supporting economic growth, social stability, and practical development goals.
I. Policy Consistency: Stability in a Volatile Global Environment
Long-term planning has been central to China’s development model. From the first Five-Year Plan to the fourteenth, the CPC has focused on modernization and steady reform. This has helped build a strong industrial base, a large domestic market, and a resilient economic structure.
The global economic landscape remains complex. However, China’s fundamentals remain sound. The economy continues to demonstrate resilience, supported by industrial capacity, skilled manpower, and growing domestic demand. The plenary session reaffirmed confidence in China’s development path and emphasized continuity in policy direction—offering stability at a time when many regions face uncertainty.
II. Scientific and Technological Innovation as a Core Driver
The new Five-Year Plan places high-quality development at the center, with science and technology playing a leading role. It includes measures to strengthen innovation capacity, support emerging industries, and advance digital transformation. The plan also encourages stronger integration between research institutions and industry, and promotes green development across sectors.
Key areas of focus include Artificial Intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and new digital infrastructure. The plan also highlights the need to improve education, upgrade workforce skills, and balance investment in technology with investment in human capital. The objective is to foster productivity and support long-term growth rooted in practical innovation.
III. High-Standard Opening Up and International Cooperation
The new plan reaffirms China’s commitment to opening up and cooperation. China intends to expand market access, especially in services, and deepen participation in international trade and investment agreements. The country will also continue to support a rules-based multilateral trading system.
Cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative will continue, with emphasis on improving connectivity, trade facilitation, and people-to-people cooperation. The approach remains focused on mutual benefit, shared development, and practical outcomes.
IV. Conclusion: Strengthening China–Ghana Cooperation
This year marks 65 years of diplomatic relations between China and Ghana. In October, President John Dramani Mahama attended the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women in Beijing and met with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. Both sides reaffirmed cooperation based on mutual respect and shared development.
China will provide a 200 million RMB (approximately 30 million USD) grant to Ghana. The two countries also agreed in principle on early harvest arrangements under the economic partnership framework, and Ghana will be among the first to benefit from zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent of tariff lines offered to African partners.
The Chinese path to modernization is rooted in national conditions but open to cooperation. Guided by the outcomes of the plenary session and the new Five-Year Plan, China will continue to deepen cooperation with Ghana and other partners, working toward shared progress.
