Chinese Communist Party to Hold 20th Central Committee 4th Plenary Session in October to Discuss Five-Year Plan

The Communist Party of China has decided to convene a plenary session of its highest decision-making body, the Central Committee, in October.

Xi Jinping, President of China. Photo by Xinhua News Agency

According to the state-run Xinhua News Agency on July 30, the Communist Party of China held a meeting of the Politburo, presided over by General Secretary (President) Xi Jinping, and decided to convene the 4th Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee (the 20th 4th Plenary Session) in Beijing in October.

The Politburo announced that this 4th Plenary Session will address the formulation of China's 15th Five-Year Plan. China will complete its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021?2025) this year.

The Communist Party of China holds a National Congress every five years. General Secretary Xi Jinping began his term at the 18th National Congress in 2012 and secured a third consecutive term at the 20th National Congress in 2022. The next, the 21st National Congress, will be held in 2027.

At the National Congress, the Central Committee?referred to as the "CPC Central" or "Party Central" and consisting of 205 members?is formed. Unlike the National Congress, which is held every five years and is not permanent, the Central Committee is a permanent top decision-making body that oversees all government affairs, including diplomacy, national defense, economy, and society.

In China, the Central Committee convenes at least one plenary session each year, commonly referred to as a "Plenary Session" (Zhongquanhui). These sessions typically discuss the country's major policy directions and high-level appointments in the party, government, and military.

The Communist Party of China held the 3rd Plenary Session from July 15 to 18 last year, focusing on key economic issues.