Earth Science News
TRADE WARS
China vows to boost consumption, national security after key meet
China vows to boost consumption, national security after key meet
By Isabel KUA and Peter CATTERALL
Beijing (AFP) Oct 23, 2025

China's ruling Communist Party said Thursday the country has to "vigorously boost consumption" and "consolidate national security" in the next five years, state media reported, as a key gathering concluded in Beijing.

The four days of closed-door meetings began on Monday and involved high-ranking officials discussing long-term strategies for the 15th Five-Year Plan, which starts next year.

The talks come at an uncertain time for the world's second-largest economy, beset by sluggish domestic spending, a protracted crisis in the property sector and a turbulent trade war with the United States.

As the gathering ended on Thursday, leaders vowed to strive for "rapid economic development".

"Efforts must be made to vigorously boost consumption, expand effective investment, and resolutely eliminate bottlenecks," said a readout published by state news agency Xinhua.

China's economy has failed to fully rebound post-pandemic, with official data on Monday showing that it expanded 4.8 percent year-on-year in the third quarter, the slowest growth since the same period last year.

"In terms of boosting consumption, it's no surprise that it now carries greater weight as a driver of domestic demand," said Yue Su from the Economist Intelligence Unit.

"We can... expect investment to focus more on consumption-related sectors and activities, such as improved urban planning, public services, and elderly care," she added.

Observers were closely watching this week's gathering of the Central Committee -- an elite body with around 200 members and 170 alternates -- for signs of the government's core policy objectives.

The next five-year plan, which like its predecessors will encompass political, economic, social and environmental goals, provide a roadmap through to 2030 and should be approved in March.

"What stands out is first and foremost continuity," said the National University of Singapore's Bert Hofman of the readout.

"New development pattern, high quality growth, technological self-sufficiency -- all were prominent in the 14th Plan."

He noted though there were some "important nuances".

For example, "in the section on domestic demand: before the focus was on supply creating demand, now it starts with demand creating supply".

- 'Good at fighting' -

China's leaders also vowed on Thursday to solidify national security, according to Xinhua.

The country must "dare to fight and be good at fighting, and bravely face major tests of high winds and waves and even perilous situations", the readout said, without specifying details.

As China's military might has grown over the last few decades, tensions with the United States and others in the Asia-Pacific region have risen.

China insists self-ruled Taiwan is part of its territory, and has threatened to seize the democratic island by force.

Several countries are ensnared in longstanding territorial disputes with Beijing in the contested South China Sea.

The military has been the subject of a sweeping graft purge recently, with nine top army officials expelled for having "seriously violated" discipline last week.

On Thursday, Zhang Shengmin, a general in Beijing's secretive Rocket Force, was named as the replacement vice chair of the powerful Central Military Commission, one of the country's top military posts.

- Going green -

Leaders also vowed to strengthen environmental efforts.

China is the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases but is also a global renewable energy powerhouse.

"We must continue to deepen pollution prevention... accelerate the development of a new energy system, actively and steadily advance and achieve carbon peak and accelerate the formation of a green production and lifestyles," the readout said.

Beijing issued in September its first ever absolute targets for cutting planet-warming gases.

By 2035, China will reduce economy-wide emissions 7-10 percent relative to the year of the country's peak emissions, believed to be 2025.

Related Links
Global Trade News

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
TRADE WARS
China posts lacklustre Q3 economic data as key Beijing conclave starts
Beijing (AFP) Oct 20, 2025
China's economy grew at its slowest pace in a year last quarter, official data showed Monday, as high-ranking leaders kicked off a closely watched meeting in Beijing focused on long-term policy planning. The data was released just hours before state media announced the start of the four-day conclave, where top brass from the ruling Communist Party are expected to discuss strategies to address sluggish household spending and persisting woes in the vast property sector. It also comes ahead of in-p ... read more

TRADE WARS
Divine deterrence could support modern sustainability goals

Unexploded bombs pose 'enormous' risks in Gaza, NGO warns

Survivors in flood-hit Mexico need food, fear more landslides

Lebanon, Syria commit to new path for strong partnership

TRADE WARS
MIT engineers solve the sticky-cell problem in bioreactors and other industries

In Simandou mountains, Guinea prepares to cash in on iron ore

Australia-US deal to challenge China rare earths reign; EU, China to hold talks on rare earth exports

Gold-based platform enables direct visualization of nanoscale binding forces

TRADE WARS
Aussie PM meets Trump with critical minerals on offer

Manta rays may dive over a kilometer deep to chart ocean routes

Rain in the Sahara? UIC researchers predict a wetter future for the desert

Hotter climate drives more intense rainfall across Japan

TRADE WARS
Antarctic marine viruses under scrutiny as researchers map unknowns of polar ecosystems

Scientists probe Tajik glacier for clues to climate resistance

UK spearheads polar climate change research as US draws back

Patagonian ice sheet followed its own climatic rhythm

TRADE WARS
Biochar and rewetting combine to curb farm emissions without yield loss

China says 'no winners' in trade war after cooking oil threat

Sweden to establish emergency grain stocks in north

Brazil hopes COP30 in Amazon can unite world for climate action

TRADE WARS
Shake truck helps Californians prepare for massive quake

Indonesia volcano erupts, belching ash into night sky

At least 14 miners killed in Venezuela floods

At least 64 dead, 65 missing in Mexico floods; Spain's Valencia region on red alert for torrential rain

TRADE WARS
Army colonel set to be sworn in as Madagascar president

African Data Drive launches to guide sustainable development across the continent

Crowds flock for an audience with Madagascar's new military leader

Burkina frees three journalists, two others held

TRADE WARS
Jane Goodall's final wish: blast Trump, Musk and Putin to space

World-renowned chimpanzee expert Jane Goodall dies at 91

Morocco High Atlas whistle language strives for survival

Oldest practice of smoke-dried mummification traced to Asia Pacific hunter gatherers

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.