Cuba participates in the Hongting Forum on the proposed 15th Five-Year Plan in China

Images via the PCC

By Katherin Hormigó Rubio, translated from the Spanish

"The successes of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and the endorsement of the CPC Central Committee's proposal for drafting the 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development (2026-2030) confirm the unity and effective governance of the Communist Party of China (CPC), led by General Secretary Xi Jinping." Alberto Blanco Silva, the Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to China, said this during the Hongting Forum. The event, held in Beijing, was co-organized by the Institute of Party History and Literature of the Central Committee of the CPC and the Xinhua News Agency, and was titled "Understanding the Fourth Plenary Session of the XX Central Committee of the CPC."

The Cuban ambassador emphasized that the global situation is increasingly insecure and fraught with greater uncertainty and dangers due to hegemonism, unchecked unilateralism, power politics, protectionism, and unilateral coercive measures, along with the distortion and politicization of global trade rules. He also pointed out that "socialist China is establishing itself as a stronghold of peace and multilateralism, serving as a stabilizing, balancing, and opportunity-enhancing force globally, and offering hope for the Global South."

China serves as a benchmark, demonstrating that a socialist, sovereign, and independent nation, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, can achieve stable economic growth, high-quality sustainable development, and social stability.Blanco Silva highlighted the Asian nation's economic growth over the past five years, commenting: "Between 2021 and 2024, it was 5.5%, contributing approximately 30% to global economic growth during that time. Almost 100 million rural people have been lifted out of poverty completely."

The Cuban ambassador emphasized the progress achieved by the Asian giant in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, new energy vehicles, aerospace, digitalization, and computerization.

He also emphasized China's economic and scientific-technological prowess, as well as its overall national strength, which has reached an advanced level and is anticipated to continue growing with its full potential and energy over the next five years. In this context, the primary objectives will include innovation, self-reliance in science and technology, a large unified national market, the real economy, building a strong agricultural nation, expanding domestic demand, macroeconomic governance, and opening-up, all under the comprehensive leadership of the Party.

The XV Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) up for debate!

The Hongting Forum was divided into three sessions where other important topics were discussed, including fundamental principles for economic and social development and new horizons for mutually beneficial cooperation, both related to the development of the 15th Five-Year Plan.

The meeting presented the Proposal of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for the elaboration of the XV Five-Year Plan for economic and social development, approved on October 23, 2025 at the Fourth Plenary Session of the XX Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. The report, which is divided into 15 points of analysis, outlines the new model of governance that will set the course towards the goal of "socialist modernization" planned for 2035. Its main areas of focus include:

1. Consolidation of the "new productive forces": Technological innovation, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, clean energy and digitalization of the economy will be its central pillars.

2. Technological self-sufficiency and national security: Confronted with an international climate characterized by rivalry with the United States and existing foreign trade restrictions, Beijing plans to increase investment in research and development to lessen its reliance on critical imports.

3. Domestic consumption and social cohesion: The domestic market will be strengthened, with quality employment policies, balanced urbanization and the development of advanced social services.

4.Sustainability and carbon neutrality: The plan will be instrumental in preparing China for the goal of carbon neutrality by 2060, promoting renewable energy, electrification of transportation, and innovation in energy efficiency

5.Selective international opening: China aims to broaden its influence in the Global South via the Belt and Road Initiative, finalize technology cooperation agreements, and diversify its trade relationships beyond Western countries.

The plan's guidelines aim to strengthen "new productive forces" such as high technology, biotechnology, renewable energies, and digitalization to decrease external reliance and speed up the energy transition. From a geostrategic perspective, this involves enhancing its independence from the US, increasing its influence in the Global South, and positioning itself as an alternative model in reshaping the international order.

At the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, President Xi Jinping emphasized the significance of the CPC's proposal for the 15th Five-Year Plan. He highlighted that "creating long-term and medium-term plans to steer economic and social development is a crucial aspect of the country's governance and the management of administrative affairs by the Party."

At the time, Xi Jinping urged everyone present to fulfill the main task of the plenary session and "reflect conscientiously, deliberate thoroughly and present constructive opinions and suggestions, working together for the success of this plenary session and the correct revision of the text of the proposal."

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