CaliToday (/2025): China's Communist Party concluded a pivotal four-day meeting on Thursday, laying out an ambitious blueprint for the 15th Five-Year Plan that aims for a "substantial leap" in economic, technological, and military power by 2035.
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| General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping. |
But in a concurrent and dramatic show of internal power, the plenum also confirmed the expulsion of a sweeping list of senior military generals and political leaders—including two top members of the Central Military Commission in one of the most significant political purges in recent years.
The 4th Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, which concluded on October 23, effectively set China’s course for the next decade. The meeting, attended by 168 full Central Committee members, 147 alternate members, and other senior officials, was a powerful display of President Xi Jinping's twin priorities: cementing China’s path toward global preeminence while ruthlessly consolidating his own control.
The 2035 Ambition: A "Substantial Leap"
After hearing and discussing a report delivered by General Secretary Xi Jinping, the plenum formally adopted the "Recommendations... on Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan."
The communiqué praised the "major achievements" of the current 14th Five-Year Plan, stating that China's "economic strength, scientific and technological strength, and comprehensive national strength have reached a new level."
The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) was defined as a "crucial period" for the comprehensive advancement of "socialist modernization." The plenum set key goals for this period, including:
High-Quality Development: Achieving clear results in shifting from rapid growth to sustainable, high-quality growth.
Tech Self-Reliance: A powerful enhancement of "scientific and technological self-reliance and self-improvement."
Deeper Reform: Gaining "new breakthroughs" in comprehensively deepening reforms.
Social and Quality of Life: A significant improvement in social civilization and a continuous rise in the quality of life for the people.
This plan serves as the foundation for a more profound, long-term goal. The communiqué states that by striving for another five years on this basis, China aims to achieve a "substantial leap" in economic power, technological might, defense strength, and international influence by the year 2035.
The ultimate benchmark: ensuring China’s per capita GDP reaches the level of a "medium-developed country," a move that would fundamentally reshape the global economic order.
A 'Shocking' Purge of the Top Brass
Simultaneously, the plenum served as the final judgment for a large number of high-ranking officials felled by Xi's anti-corruption and loyalty campaign.
The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) presented investigation reports on numerous political figures, including Tang Renjian (former Minister of Agriculture) and Jin Xiangjun (Governor of Tianjin).
Most stunningly, the plenum confirmed a massive clean-out of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) leadership. The Central Military Commission (CMC) itself delivered a report on "serious violations of discipline and law" by a slate of top generals.
The plenum retroactively confirmed the Politburo's earlier decision to expel:
General He Weidong (former CMC Vice Chairman)
General Miao Hua (former CMC member and head of the CMC's Political Work Department)
General He Hongjun
General Wang Xiubin
General Lin Xiangyang
General Qin Shutong
General Yuan Huazhi
General Wang Chunning
General Zhang Fengzhong
The confirmation of the expulsions of He Weidong and Miao Hua both of whom sat on the 7-member Central Military Commission, the PLA's highest command body represents an unprecedented shake-up of China's military elite under Xi.
The plenum also confirmed the expulsions of the political figures Tang Renjian, Jin Xiangjun, Li Shisong, Yang Fasen, and Zhu Zhisong.
Reshuffling the Deck
With multiple vacancies now confirmed, the plenum moved to fill the gaps.
In a major promotion, Zhang Shengmin was appointed as a new Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC).
Furthermore, 11 alternate members of the Central Committee including Yu Huiwen, Ma Hancheng, Wang Jian, and Wang Xi—were promoted to full members, backfilling the seats left vacant by the purged officials.
The 4th Plenum has concluded by sending an unmistakable message: China is on an ambitious, unwavering path to becoming a dominant global power, and Xi Jinping will tolerate no dissent or corruption that could threaten that "great rejuvenation" project.