During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China has taken high-quality development as its theme and Chinese-style modernization as its path. It has not only achieved groundbreaking progress in domestic economic and social development, but also injected certainty into a turbulent and transformative world with steady steps and an open attitude. From economic resilience and innovation momentum to green transformation and global governance, China’s development has been deeply integrated into the world, and its own practices have explored new paths for human modernization.
Resilience and contribution to development in a global context
Faced with the complex environment of a once-in-a-century transformation and the pandemic, China’s economy has demonstrated strong resilience. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China’s economic output has successively surpassed the 110 trillion, 120 trillion, and 130 trillion yuan thresholds, with an estimated 140 trillion yuan by 2025, representing a five-year increase of over 35 trillion yuan—equivalent to the size of a medium-sized economy globally. This growth contributes about 30% to world economic expansion, serving as a “stabilizing anchor” and “driving force” for the global economy. From delivering over 150 billion packages (accounting for nearly 80% of the global total) to achieving one-third green electricity consumption in society, China’s domestic demand potential and green transition are reshaping the global supply-demand landscape, offering vast markets for multinational corporations. Saudi Aramco President Nasser remarked: “China is increasingly becoming a’ green oasis of certainty’.”
Innovation drives new advantages in global technology competition
China has led the transformation of development paradigms through innovation, with its R&D investment intensity rising to 2.69%. The country’s global innovation index ranking has jumped from 34th to 10th, making it the first nation to exceed 4 million valid invention patents. Breakthroughs have been achieved in fields such as artificial intelligence, new energy, and semiconductors: the “Chang’ e-6” mission successfully collected samples from the far side of the moon, the C919 large aircraft entered commercial flight, and new energy vehicles led global production and sales. At the 2025 Bay Area Semiconductor Expo, products like ultra-high-speed oscilloscopes were showcased, demonstrating the resilience and vitality of China’s manufacturing. Former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi pointed out that China has become an “important leader” in fields such as solar energy and electric vehicles, transitioning from a follower to a leader. This innovative power not only drives domestic industrial upgrading but also benefits global Southern countries through technology sharing, breaking the blockade of “decoupling and disconnection”.
Green transformation and global ecological governance
China has built the world’s largest and fastest-growing renewable energy system, with its new energy installed capacity historically surpassing thermal power. The water quality of the Yangtze and Yellow River main streams has fully met standards, and the forest coverage rate has increased to over 25%. Guided by the “dual carbon” goals, China has become one of the countries with the fastest decline in energy intensity globally, providing a practical path for the world to address climate change. The Financial Times commented that China’s leading position in green fields such as solar energy, wind energy, and electric vehicles is reshaping the global industrial chain. This model of enhancing “green content” to boost “gold content” offers a reference for developing countries to explore sustainable development.
Open cooperation and sharing of global opportunities
China adheres to high-level opening-up and steadily expands institutional openness: during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, restrictions on foreign investment in manufacturing were “zeroed out”, service sector opening-up pilots were deepened, and cooperation documents on the Belt and Road were signed with over 150 countries. The China-Europe Railway Express has operated more than 110,000 trains, and the cumulative intended transaction volume of platforms such as the China International Import Expo and the China International Consumer Goods Expo exceeded $500 billion. Poland’s former Vice President Rziedek emphasized that China provides substantial assistance to global Southern countries through investment initiatives and technology sharing, refuting the so-called “debt trap” narrative. On the occasion of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, foreign media noted that China is redefining globalization with “high-level openness” and promoting reforms in the multilateral trading system.