China's 15th Five-Year Plan: Timeline and Approval Process

China's 15th Five-Year Plan, covering the period 2026 to 2030, represents the country's comprehensive strategy for economic, technological, social, and environmental development. Since 1953, China has utilized five-year plans to map long-term national strategies, and the 15th edition follows a structured and carefully orchestrated approval timeline that reflects the methodical nature of Chinese policymaking.

The process began in October 2025, during the 5th Plenum of the 20th Central Committee, when the Communist Party of China outlined the general policy recommendations and guiding principles for the upcoming plan. This high-level meeting sets the strategic direction before any detailed targets are drafted, ensuring that the plan's foundation aligns with the Party's long-term vision for the nation's development.

In early 2026, following the Plenum, various government agencies begin the meticulous work of drafting the detailed text of the plan. The National Development and Reform Commission, known as the NDRC, takes the lead as China's top economic planning body, defining economic reforms and specific targets. Key indicators under discussion during this phase include GDP growth trajectories, emissions reduction goals, and research and development expenditure as a percentage of GDP, all of which will shape China's economic landscape for the next half-decade.

The final document receives official approval and is published in its entirety during March 2026, coinciding with the "Two Sessions" – the annual meetings of China's legislature and advisory bodies. The National People's Congress, functioning as China's parliament and legislative organ, formally approves the plan, while the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference provides recommendations throughout the approval process in its advisory capacity.

The March 2026 publication marks the official launch of the 15th Five-Year Plan, providing businesses, investors, and international observers with detailed policy directions and measurable targets that will guide China's development for the next five years.