China’s third plenum sees Communist Party double down on economic, tech, military power

More than 22,000-word resolution document lists wide range of measures for next five years backed by party Central Committee at key conclave

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Aims endorsed by the Communist Party’s third plenum include building a “self-controlled industrial and supply chain” with a focus on integrated chips, industrial master machines, medical equipment and advanced materials. Photo: Xinhua

Wendy Wuin Beijing,William Zhengin Hong KongandVictoria Belain Hong Kong

Published: 10:33pm, 21 Jul 2024Updated: 10:43pm, 21 Jul 2024

China will focus on boosting its economic, technological and defence capabilities to tackle growing conflicts with the US-led West, the full text of decisions from a key party conclave has revealed.

The more than 22,000-word resolution document lists a wide range of measures for the next five years approved by the Central Committee of the ruling Communist Party, which met for its key third plenum last week.

The measures aim to strengthen China’s economic resilience, deepen the tech talent pool and narrow the rural-urban gap as part of efforts to find new growth engines and address demographic challenges, according to the document released by state news agency Xinhua on Sunday.

National security also gets greater prominence, with pledges to keep key industrial chains safe and boost strategic military deterrence.

The goals have to be accomplished by 2029, the 80th anniversary of the People’s Republic. The coming five years will also be a decisive period for the party’s target of building a modern socialist China by 2035, giving it a strong position in the great power rivalry with the United States and other geopolitical hostilities.

President Xi Jinping said the measures aimed to meet China’s “urgent need” to counter major risks and challenges, according to a separate Xinhua article on decisions made at the plenum.