The annual sessions of China's national legislature and top political advisory body concluded in Beijing this week with President Xi Jinping urging greater efforts to secure a strong start for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).

The outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development, which was approved Thursday by lawmakers at the closing meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), sets a slew of goals, with high-quality development high on the agenda. Key indicators span areas including economic development, innovation, public well-being, green transition, and security. Many of the indicators focus on people's livelihoods, sending a clear signal that development is ultimately meant to benefit the people.

On March 4, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's top political advisory body, in Beijing, along with other leaders and about 2,000 political advisors from across the country.

On March 5, Xi and other Party and state leaders attended the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 14th NPC, the country's national legislature, alongside nearly 3,000 deputies.

During the meeting, Xi and other lawmakers examined the draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan for national economic and social development in addition to reviewing and discussing the Government Work Report and other regular agenda.

On the afternoon of March 5, Xi took part in a discussion with deputies from the delegation of Jiangsu Province -- an economic powerhouse in east China.

Xi said the formulation and implementation of five-year plans constitutes a national institutional arrangement and an important experience for the Party in governing the country and managing state affairs. It is essential not only to create plans but also to ensure their implementation and strengthen execution.

At the meeting, Xi expressed high hopes for the development of Jiangsu, an economically prosperous province.

"A provincial economic powerhouse can only support the stability of the national economy as a whole when it maintains a solid development foundation and a strong capacity to withstand external shocks," he said.

To fulfill the development goals set in the 15th Five-Year Plan, China must navigate a more complex environment and resolve more deep-seated contradictions, Xi said, adding that Jiangsu and other major economic provinces, which are at the forefront of reform and opening up, should take the lead in studying new situations and solving new problems.

Xi pointed out that developing new quality productive forces is crucial for promoting high-quality development and enhancing economic competitiveness. Given Jiangsu's strong foundation in this area, he urged the province to strive to be a front-runner.

Jiangsu must continue exerting efforts to enhance economic resilience and explore effective pathways to advance common prosperity for all, he said.

Xi also stressed that the ever-improving effectiveness of the Party's self-governance is a basic guarantee for economic and social development.

"Efforts should be made in conscientiously organizing study sessions to help Party officials understand what good governance means and how to perform their duties well. It is imperative to adopt an integrated approach to strengthening Party spirit, improving Party conduct, and enforcing Party discipline, while advancing efforts to improve conduct, enforce discipline, and combat corruption in a coordinated manner. Through tangible outcomes in exercising full and rigorous self-governance, the Party shall earn the people's trust and support and muster sufficient power to advance the development of its undertakings," he said.

On March 6, Xi attended a joint group meeting in Beijing with national political advisors from the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, the Jiusan Society, the sector of medicine and health, and the sector of welfare and social security.

He emphasized the importance of unswervingly following the path of health development with Chinese characteristics to ensure decisive progress in advancing the Healthy China Initiative during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

"Building a Healthy China by 2035 is a strategic decision made by the CPC Central Committee, and the 15th Five-Year Plan period is critical to achieving this goal. It is necessary to coordinate planning and accelerate implementation, striving to secure decisive progress," Xi said.

Xi said that it is essential to proceed from China's actual conditions to advance the Healthy China Initiative.

He also underscored the need to deepen reform to improve the mechanisms for coordinated development and governance of medical services, medical insurance, and pharmaceuticals. He called for promoting the application of scientific and technological innovation achievements, and harnessing digital and intelligent technologies to improve the health of the entire nation.

On March 7, Xi attended a plenary meeting of the delegation of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force in Beijing.

He stressed fully leveraging the unique strengths of enhancing political loyalty in the military, and called for concerted efforts to advance the modernization of national defense and the armed forces in a steady and sustained manner.

Xi said the military must uphold, apply and develop its political faith to realize the centenary goal of the People's Liberation Army and advance the modernization of national defense and the armed forces during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

The military must unswervingly uphold and strengthen the Party's absolute leadership, fully leverage its unique political strengths, and unite efforts to ensure steady and sustained progress in modernization, Xi said.

On Wednesday morning, the 14th CPPCC National Committee concluded its fourth session in Beijing.

The meeting called for rallying more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, pulling together with one mind, forging ahead with determination, and striving unremittingly toward building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects.

On Thursday afternoon, the 14th NPC concluded its fourth session in Beijing.

During the meeting, lawmakers approved the Government Work Report and the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan for national economic and social development. They also passed the Ecological and Environmental Code, the Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law, and the National Development Planning Law.

"All great achievements are the result of continuous struggle, and all great undertakings need to be advanced by forging ahead into the future," Xi has said.