China and Japan have built deep economic links, while also still having regular diplomatic rows. The latest blow-up came after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in November that the nation’s military forces could potentially be deployed in the event of a Taiwan conflict.
The approved outline for China’s 15th five-year plan highlights efforts to spur domestic consumption, boost technological self-sufficiency and further raise the nation’s industrial competitiveness. The plan will come into effect in 2026.
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s years in power have been marked by deepening economic ties, a shared desire to counter Western influence and growing Chinese dominance in the relationship.
This is the second in an SCMP Plus series annotating different parts of China’s five-year plan recommendations. The focus is on market reforms and opening up.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met a US president for the 17th time since taking office when he held talks with Donald Trump in South Korea on October 30. By contrast, he has had 41 encounters with Russian leader Vladimir Putin as president.
Apple is rapidly advancing its ‘China plus one’ production strategy, with assemblers opening plants in India, Vietnam and Thailand. The shift reduces the iPhone maker’s reliance on China, and lets it take advantage of lower US tariffs and cheaper wages.
China’s 15th five-year plan is likely to build on President Xi Jinping’s push for “new quality productive forces” as the country pivots towards seeking scientific breakthroughs rather than incremental advances in existing technologies.
China’s next five-year plan, charting the country’s social and economic future, will be proposed in October when the ruling Communist Party gathers for the fourth plenum of the 20th Central Committee.