The opening meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2026. [Photo/Xinhua]

China is looking to build on the progress made during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) as it prepares for the next stage of development under the 15th Five-Year Plan.

Lawmakers and experts say the country has made steady advances in areas ranging from technological innovation and industrial upgrading to environmental protection and social welfare, laying a solid foundation for future growth.

Patrol unmanned aerial vehicles are displayed at an exhibition hall of United Aircraft Group in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong province, June 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

New quality productive forces

China has made steady progress in fostering new quality productive forces in the 14th Five-Year Plan period, and the new five-year plan calls for major breakthroughs in this area to build a modernized economy.

Xu Guanju, a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC) and chairman of Transfar Group, said the foundation of new quality productive forces lies in a strong real economy.

"New quality productive forces are not something built in the air. Their foundation lies in a solid real economy," Xu said.

He noted that the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries should not mean abandoning their core businesses or blindly switching to new sectors. Instead, companies should move toward high-end, intelligent and green development within their areas of expertise.

Xu added that traditional industries should be guided to invest more in technological upgrading so they can better support emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence and biomanufacturing, enabling traditional manufacturing to become an important carrier of new quality productive forces.

Investment structure optimization

Investment remains a crucial driver of both current demand and future supply.

China has made notable progress in expanding effective investment over the past five years.

Yuan Guohua, a national lawmaker and chairman of Shanghai State-owned Capital Investment Co., Ltd., said authorities have taken multiple measures to stabilize investment in traditional sectors while cultivating new growth drivers.

Yuan said the 15th Five-Year Plan highlights combining investment in physical assets with investment in people.

"This reflects an upgrade in China's investment philosophy, direction and priorities," Yuan said, adding that this approach is of great significance for strengthening development momentum and expanding domestic demand.

A staff member introduces a humanoid robot at the tech company DIGIT in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong province, March 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Innovation momentum

Scientific and technological innovation has also accelerated.

China's research and development (R&D) expenditure reached 3.93 trillion yuan (about $540 billion) in 2025, with average annual growth of 10% during the past five-year period.

The country's ranking in the Global Innovation Index rose from 14th place in 2020 to 10th in 2024, marking its first entry into the top 10.

A number of landmark breakthroughs have also been achieved. These include the successful launch of the Tianhe core module of China's space station, the Chang'e-6 mission returning the world's first far-side lunar samples, the debut of the homegrown superconducting quantum computer Origin Wukong, and the commissioning of the Fujian, China's first aircraft carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults.

The 15th Five-Year Plan sets the goal of substantially improving scientific and technological self-reliance and strength.

Liu Hongtao, an NPC deputy and general manager of PetroChina Coalbed Methane Co., Ltd, said that he expects more key technological bottlenecks to be overcome in the next five years.

"With sustained efforts, China will gain stronger confidence in technological innovation and stronger momentum for development," Liu said.

Improving livelihoods

China also made solid progress in improving people's livelihoods.

Per capita disposable income grew by an average of 5.4% annually during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, while the achievements of poverty alleviation were consolidated and expanded

The new plan aims to further improve people's quality of life.

Pan Shuang, a national lawmaker and director of the Commerce Department of Liaoning province, said more efforts are needed to increase household incomes and improve the social security system.

She also called for greater support in healthcare, education, childcare and elderly care to boost people's consumption capacity.

A ranger interacts with Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkeys at the popular science education base in Pingwu County, Mianyang City of southwest China's Sichuan province, May 21, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Green transition

China has also made notable progress in ecological protection during the 14th Five-Year Plan period.

The country has accelerated its green transition, with installed capacity of non-fossil energy power generation surpassing that of fossil fuels.

Average PM2.5 concentration in cities at or above the prefectural level has fallen to 28 micrograms per cubic meter, while more than 90% of surface water has reached Grade III (fairly good quality) or above.

During the fourth session of the 14th NPC, a draft environmental code was also submitted for deliberation.

Jia Yu, a national lawmaker and president of the Shanghai High People's Court, described the environmental code as "an encyclopedia of ecological conservation."

He said the draft code marks a new stage in China's ecological protection characterized by greater rule of law and more systematic protection, adding that it is of far-reaching significance for advancing Chinese modernization featuring harmony between humanity and nature.

The draft code will also help advance the goals set out in the 15th Five-Year Plan of making major new strides in advancing the Beautiful China Initiative and ensuring that eco-friendly ways of work and life become a societal norm.