China's Fourth Plenum: A Shift in Focus
The Fourth Plenum, a significant event in China's political landscape, typically addresses institutional reforms, political control, and long-term governance priorities.
However, this year's plenum took a different turn, focusing on economic resilience, technological autonomy, and national security, reflecting the country's domestic slowdown and turbulent external environment.
The next decade will not be about liberalisation or market experimentation.
The 2025 Fourth Plenum reaffirmed Xi Jinping's centrality and ideological supremacy within the Party, embedding the tenets of his "New Era" socialism into the blueprint for China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).
This shift in focus signals a move towards a fortress economy, with an emphasis on control and self-sufficiency.
Author's Summary
China's Fourth Plenum prioritizes economic resilience and national security, marking a shift away from liberalization.