Xi Jinping is working on changing the administrative culture.
On the sidelines of the fifth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.
Decisions were made regarding the 15th Five-Year Plan
By: Nabاz Mustafa
The primary significance of Monday’s meeting, led by Chinese President Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, during the 5th Plenary Session of the 20th Central Commission regarding the 15th Five-Year Plan, is the Party’s intent to conduct an "internal surgery" before entering 2026. This aims to ensure that China’s administrative machinery is fully prepared to confront international challenges and achieve the economic goals set for the end of this decade.
Xi Jinping is working toward a shift in administrative culture, aiming to transform the "punishment system" into a "prevention system." The concept of "deeper understanding" implies that officials should not refrain from corruption merely out of fear of punishment, but rather that the system should be designed to eliminate the very opportunity for corruption. This will lead to the emergence of a new class of managers who are more efficient in executing the complex tasks of the 15th Plan. Consequently, all strategic sectors are being oriented toward:
Providing Political Stability for Economic Plans:
China's five-year plans are not merely economic roadmaps; they are expressions of the Party’s political vision. Xi Jinping recognizes that the success of the 15th Plan requires absolute consensus within the Party and the government. Consolidating power within a "systematic" framework means reducing internal political obstacles and ensuring that Beijing’s decisions are implemented at the provincial and local levels without deviation.
Safeguarding Capital and Preventing Waste:
The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) comes at a critical juncture as China seeks to establish "high-quality development." Corruption in large-scale infrastructure and technology projects leads to the waste of billions of dollars. By tightening oversight, China aims to ensure that the massive budgets allocated for innovation, green technology, and advanced industries directly serve economic growth rather than the pockets of officials.
Improving the Investment Environment and Strengthening Confidence:
One of the objectives of the upcoming plan is to attract qualitative investment and bolster private sector confidence. Combating corruption through an "institutional" approach signals to markets that China is building a more transparent and legalistic system. This will encourage domestic and international companies to participate in the 2026-2030 economic plans with greater confidence.
Therefore, the focus on strategic sectors represents a new inspection and oversight campaign. It emphasizes the sectors that form the backbone of the 15th Plan, such as: Energy to reach environmental targets; Finance to prevent banking and financial crises; and Technology to achieve independence from Western pressures. Any corruption in these fields would lead to the total failure of the country’s five-year plan.