Keynote Speech by Chinese Ambassador to Slovenia Kang Yan at the 15th Five-Year Plan Briefing

(February 26, 2026)

Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen，

It is a pleasure to collaborate with the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in hosting today's event. I'm very glad to share with you my view on China's Recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan, especially the opportunities they offer.

Last October, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC)  reviewed and adopted the 'Recommendations of the CPC Central Committee on Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development'. The State Council of China will draft a detailed Outline of the Plan based on these Recommendations. Following review and approval by the National People's Congress, it will be published and put into effect later this March, marking the beginning of a new phase of high-quality development for China.

A Slovenian friend asked me, 'Isn't it a plan for China's domestic economy? Is there anything special?'

In my view, it is quite special! It is a golden key to unlocking China's economic miracle. It is a window into better understanding and anticipating China. It is a treasure map for discerning entrepreneurs to discover valuable business opportunities.

Let me elaborate on these three primary functions.

I. The Golden Key to Unlocking China's Economic Miracle

China started to draft five-year plans over seven decades ago. Under the leadership of the CPC, successive governments have formulated and implemented the five-year plans for national economic and social development in a sustained and sequential manner. Transforming China from a poverty-stricken and backward agricultural nation into the world's second-largest economy, the foremost manufacturing power, and the largest trader in goods. In this process, the five-year plans have served as a strategic blueprint and development milestones.

Can you imagine, in 1953, the per capita steel output of China was barely enough to make a single sickle, and the entire nation's efforts couldn't produce a single automobile! It is in that year, China formulated its first Five-Year Plan, which focused on developing heavy industry and laying the foundations for coal, steel, and power generation. By the end of the 5th Five-Year Plan, China had basically established an independent and relatively comprehensive industrial system.

Following the implementation of reform and opening-up policies in 1978, the 8th Five-Year Plan initially established a socialist market economy, a framework that has continued to this day.

The 10th Five-Year Plan was formulated in response to China's accession to the WTO, during which China's GDP grew at an average annual rate of 8.3%. In the 11th Five-Year Plan period, China's economic output successively surpassed that of the UK, France, Germany and Japan, making itself the world's second-largest economy.

The 13th Five-Year Plan period witnessed the largest-scale poverty alleviation campaign in human history, lifting all 100 million poor rural population out of poverty by the end of 2020.

In the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China's economic output consecutively surpassed RMB 110 trillion, 120 trillion, 130 trillion, and 140 trillion yuan (approximately US$20 trillion). The average annual GDP growth rate reached 5.4%, with an increment exceeding US$5 trillion - equivalent to Germany's GDP in 2025.  

By 2025, China's Global Innovation Index ranking rose to 10th, earning it the title of 'innovation powerhouse'. At the 2025 Spring Festival Gala, humanoid robots "Dance BOT" made a stunning debut. They were capable of executing simple pre-programmed movements. Merely one year later, the humanoid robot "Kung Fu BOT" debuted again at the Gala, having advanced to perform complex martial arts. This intelligent entity, demonstrating stable balance, precise control, and dynamic coordination, astonished audiences both at home and abroad.

The Five-Year Plan is a key governance approach of the CPC. It has 3 prominent features:

First, institutional advantage. As the long-term governing party in China, the CPC adopts a long-term and overall perspective in strategic planning, coordinating resources and mobilizing nationwide efforts to accomplish major objectives.

Second, long-termism. Operating on five-year cycles, it breaks down long-term goals and tasks into phased plans, maintaining strategic stability while adjusting strategies flexibly in line with actual conditions.

Third, a people-centered approach. The formulation of five-year plans is a process that fully reflects public opinion and forges social consensus. For example, the drafting team of the 15th Five-Year Plan collected 3.1 million public suggestions through online platforms, from which over 1,500 were selected and adopted. Following rounds of expert deliberation and public hearings, the wisdom of the people was integrated into national policy, tailored to China's specific conditions.

II. A Window to Better Understand and Anticipate China

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Having outlined the pivotal role of five-year plans, some of you may wonder: amid the sluggish global economy, the headwinds against economic globalization, and the frequent tariff and trade wars, can China's economy still stand out? My answer is yes, for two reasons.

First, characterized by the formulation and implementation of five-year plans, the distinctive Chinese governance model remains unchanged. For China, the five-year plan is not merely a document but an institutional magic that transforms the future into reality. From a 'industrialization take-off' to 'high-quality development', from a 'manufacturing giant' to an 'innovation powerhouse', the five-year plans have closely linked scientific top-level design with the democratic practical innovation, turning grand blueprints into tangible realities step by step.

Five-year plans serve as the command center for resource allocation, industrial planning, and regional development, defining the direction of China's development. Take high-speed rail construction as an example: the 10th Five-Year Plan elevated high-speed rail construction to a national strategy, prompting a nationwide shift in policy and resources. During the 11th Five-Year Plan period, large-scale high-speed rail construction commenced. By the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China had largely completed its 'Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal' high-speed rail network. By the end of 2025, the operating mileage of China's high-speed rail exceeded 50,000 kilometers, with an operating speed of over 350 km per hour. The global high-speed rail network spans approximately 71,000 km, and China accounts for over 70% of it.

Similarly, the 12th Five-Year Plan incorporated the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry into the national development strategy, and both the 13th and 14th Five-Year Plans set out specific targets and measures for its development. By the end of 2025, the number of NEVs in China reached 44 million, accounting for 12% of the total number of vehicles in the country.

Second, China's economy possesses a solid foundation, multiple advantages, strong resilience and great potential. The long-term favourable conditions and overall trend remain unchanged. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China achieved historic accomplishments in economic and social development, with its economic strength, scientific and technological capabilities, and comprehensive national strength reaching new heights. Its average annual contribution to global economic growth remained at around 30%, making it the most stable and reliable engine and 'anchor of stability' for the world economy. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China will fully leverage the institutional strengths of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the advantages of its super-large market, its complete industrial system, and its rich talent pool, and transform these into tangible outcomes for high-quality development.

III. The Treasure Map for Business Opportunities

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The Recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan (hereinafter referred to as the 'Recommendations') set out 7 major objectives for China's economic and social development over the next 5 years, and outline 12 strategic tasks and corresponding policy measures. I will not elaborate on each point here; you may refer to the brochures distributed at the venue or visit the relevant website for details. Instead, I would like to draw your attention to 4 key areas which, in my view, harbour great potential for expanding China-Slovenia cooperation.

First, driving industrial transformation through scientific and technological innovation. The Recommendations list the first specific task as 'building a modern industrial system with advanced manufacturing as its backbone', whereas 5 years ago, 'scientific and technological innovation' was in the first place. This adjustment in order suggests that over the next 5 years, we will focus on translating sci-tech strength into tangible industrial competitiveness, driving structural upgrades and high-quality development of China's economy.

The Recommendations advocates pursuing 'intelligent, green, and integrated development' pathways, which means that industries following an environmentally sustainable and high-value-added path will have greater room for development. These could range from cutting-edge semiconductors and artificial intelligence to innovations like eco-friendly paints, high-performance ELAN ski boards from Slovenia, and other products where technology improves daily life.

The Recommendations call for 'accelerating the development of industrial clusters in strategic emerging fields such as new energy, new materials, aviation and aerospace, and the low-altitude economy', while 'proactively positioning industries of the future, such as quantum technology, bio-manufacturing, hydrogen energy, nuclear fusion energy, brain-computer interfaces, embodied intelligence, and sixth-generation mobile communications'. This signals that these new productive forces will receive policy and financial support from the Chinese government, potentially catalyzing markets worth trillions or more. Slovenia is home to many innovative enterprises with impressive performance in many segments of advanced manufacturing. They can identify opportunities for cooperation with China based on their respective strengths.

Second, building a robust domestic market by expanding domestic demand. As it was 5 years ago, the Recommendations still place this in a prominent position, emphasizing the need to vigorously boost consumption, expand the supply of high-quality consumer goods and services, and increase effective investment. International experience shows that once a country's per capita GDP exceeds US$10,000, it will enter a period of rapid consumption upgrading. With China's per capita GDP approaching US$14,000 in 2025, it is precisely in such a period. Consider this: with a population of 1.4 billion and 400 million middle-income individuals, is China not the world's largest consumer market with the greatest growth potential?

The Recommendations state that: 'We should focus on easing market access and integrating various forms of business to boost consumption of services and work hard to build leading brands, upgrading standards, and apply new technologies to expand and upgrade goods consumption'. And it is also said that 'We should combine investment in physical assets with investment in human capital.' This means that China will not only increase imports of high-quality products but also intensify foreign investment in sectors such as health-care, education, cultural and tourism, and  promote cross-sector integration, such as 'culture + tourism,' 'sports + tourism,' and 'health-care + elderly care.' The ultimate goal of economic development is to ensure a better life for all. As the 'service-oriented' consumption model continues to expand, the products and services in these sectors will witness substantial demand.

Take the snow-and-ice economy for instance. According to the China Snow and Ice Economy Development Report (2025), China's snow and ice economy has achieved leapfrog development in recent years, with its market scale continuously expanding. Between 2016 and 2024, the industry grew at an average annual rate of more than 21%, and it is projected to surpass US$145 billion in 2025. China's winter tourism market has exceeded 300 million visitor arrivals for three consecutive seasons. Slovenia, as the leading country for winter sports under the China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) cooperation framework, possesses distinct advantages in snow and ice economy. Both sides have great potential for cooperation in this sector.

Similarly, the silver economy presents opportunities. By 2025, China's population aged 60 and above has exceeded 24%. According to Chinese data, the size of China's silver economy market is expected to reach US$1.2 trillion in 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of 18.6%. Slovenia, where the proportion of the elderly population has also exceeded 20%, has rich experience in addressing population ageing. Both sides can engage in exchanges and cooperation in this regard.

Third, accelerating the comprehensive green transformation of economic development. Green development is a distinctive feature of Chinese-style modernization. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China will advance the building of a Beautiful China through multiple measures, guided by the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. This means that China will continue to deepen pollution control and enhance ecosystems; increase the share of new energy supply and promote high-quality development of clean energy sources such as wind, solar, hydro and nuclear power; and swiftly adopt eco-friendly production and lifestyles.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China established the world's largest clean power generation system, with the installed capacity of new energy power generation historically surpass that of thermal power. One out of every 3 kilowatt-hours of electricity consumed in China is green power and this proportion will further increase in the future. China's circular economy is developing rapidly, with more than 20% of raw materials in its annual steel production coming from the recycling of scrap steel. Slovenia is a leader in green transition within the EU. Cooperation between China and Slovenia in areas such as circular economy, clean energy, and energy storage technology holds great potential.

Fourth, expanding high-standard openingup. The Recommendations note that China will continue to expand opening up at the institutional level, open wider to the outside world, promote the innovative development of trade, expand two-way investment cooperation, and pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

This means,(1)China will actively align with high-standard international economic and trade rules, expand market access and open up more areas, in particular in the service sector, such as education, culture, and health-care, just as I mentioned earlier. Moreover, China has introduced unilateral visa-free access for multiple countries, making it more convenient for foreign friends to visit China and experience the real, vibrant, and rapidly developing China.

(2)China will optimize and upgrade trade in goods, expand trade in intermediate goods and green trade, and promote balanced development of imports and exports. The pharmaceutical industry is a pillar industry of Slovenia, with pharmaceutical raw materials and intermediates accounting for the largest share of trade between China and Slovenia. In 2025, the total value of China's innovative drug outbound licensing transactions exceeded US$130 billion, accounting for 49% of the global total. This presents greater opportunities for China-Slovenia cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector.

(3)China will improve its foreign investment service and support system, fully implement national treatment, and create a transparent, stable and predictable institutional environment. At present, China is working to reduce the negative list for foreign investment access, and all restrictions on foreign investment in the manufacturing sector have been "cleared". China and Slovenia have their own advantages in the fields of new energy vehicles and traditional automobile manufacturing, and the two sides can promote the integration of industrial and supply chains through complementary advantages.

(4)China will also strengthen strategic alignment with Belt and Road partner countries, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, enhance the development of the China-Europe Railway Express, and refine the multi-dimensional connectivity network. The southern corridor of the China-Europe Railway Express has been put into operation. The Port of Koper is Slovenia's sole and largest container cargo port, serving as the shortest maritime gateway for Central and Eastern European countries. There is room for China and Slovenia to explore cooperation in port construction, logistics transshipment, and the development of a China-Europe land-sea express line.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

China's development is inseparable from the world, and the world's development is also inseparable from China. As China advances its own modernization, it firmly upholds world peace and development, demonstrating through its own path that development does not have to come at the cost of confrontation, nor does rise necessitate the pursuit of hegemony.

According to KPMG's 2025 China Outlook for Multinational Enterprises, released at the end of 2025, multinational enterprises operating in China have greater confidence in the Chinese economy than in the global economy. 75% of surveyed enterprises maintained or increased their investment in mainland China in 2025, and 94% intend to continue investing in the Chinese market. I am confident that the official launch and implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan will bring greater confidence and opportunities to both China and the world. To partner with China is to partner with opportunities; To invest in China is to invest in the future. 

As the ancient Chinese saying goes: 'I hear, I forget. I see, I remember. I do, I understand.' I sincerely hope that today's presentation can offer you a new perspective, help you better understand China and strengthen your confidence in its economic resilience, vitality and potential, and thus seize the opportunities brought by China's development, and achieve mutual benefit, win-win results and common development.

Thank you all!