Doha, Qatar, 12 Nov. 2025

In a media briefing today, Cao Xiaolin, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the State of Qatar, commended Qatar for the successful hosting of the Second World Summit for Social Development. He stated that the adoption of the Doha Political Declaration at the Summit represents a significant contribution to promoting global social development and enhancing the shared well-being of humanity. The event, he added, also showcased Qatar’s outstanding organizational capabilities and its unwavering commitment to advancing the cause of global social progress.

Ambassador Xiaolin noted that Han Zheng, Vice President of China, represented the country at the Second World Summit for Social Development. In his address, Vice President Han emphasized that the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, along with the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), and the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) — all proposed by President Xi Jinping — have provided a comprehensive framework for promoting global social development.

Ambassador Xiaolin outlined key outcomes of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), during which the Recommendations for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development were adopted. He highlighted the opportunities the new Plan presents for the world, particularly for strengthening China-Qatar relations.

Ambassador Cao noted that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, China and Qatar have enjoyed an 11-year “golden period” of partnership. Bilateral relations now stand at their highest level in history, characterized by deep mutual trust and cooperation across multiple sectors. China and Qatar have consistently supported each other on issues of core interest, with Qatar firmly upholding the one-China principle, and China expressing strong support for Qatar’s sovereignty and security in international forums.

Economic collaboration has flourished, with China maintaining its position as Qatar’s largest trading partner and top export destination for five consecutive years. Bilateral trade rose from USD 10.6 billion in 2014 to USD 24.22 billion in 2024, a growth of 128%. Major joint projects have advanced under the Belt and Road framework, including Qatar’s 800MW Al Kharsaah Solar Power Plant and the Water Strategic Mega Reservoirs project. Chinese companies also hold equity in Qatar’s North Field Expansion Project and have built QC-Max LNG vessels—the largest in the world—strengthening energy cooperation.

People-to-people exchanges are thriving, with 97,000 Chinese tourists visiting Qatar in 2024—a 77% year-on-year increase. The first giant pandas in the Middle East, “Suhail” and “Thuraya,” symbolize the growing friendship between both nations. Air connectivity has expanded, with 67 weekly flights linking Chinese cities to Doha.

Ambassador Cao emphasized that China’s 15th Five-Year Plan aims to achieve the level of a moderately developed economy by 2035, focusing on high-quality growth, technological innovation, sustainable development, and cultural advancement. Key priorities include breakthroughs in advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, green energy, and national security, alongside improving public welfare and ecological protection under the “Beautiful China” initiative.

He stressed that the Plan aligns closely with Qatar’s National Vision 2030 in areas such as sustainable growth, innovation, and improving livelihoods. Looking ahead, China and Qatar will work to implement the consensus reached by their Heads of State, synergize development strategies, and deepen comprehensive cooperation. The 15th Five-Year Plan, Ambassador Cao concluded, will act as a powerful catalyst for ushering in a new golden era of China-Qatar strategic partnership and shared prosperity.

Talking on the significance of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), Chinese envoy said that the plan represents China’s roadmap for the next phase of its national development, linking the achievements of the 14th Five-Year Plan with the long-term goal of basically realizing socialist modernization by 2035. Similar to Qatar’s National Vision 2030, China’s five-year plans serve as strategic blueprints guiding economic and social progress under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Since the launch of the first plan in 1953, China has implemented 14 consecutive five-year plans. Through consistent and pragmatic planning, the country has transformed from an underdeveloped agrarian economy into the world’s second-largest economy, accounting for over 17% of global output. These plans have embodied the strengths of socialism with Chinese characteristics and served as a cornerstone of China’s rapid growth and long-term stability.

The 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025) has seen China’s GDP surpass 130 trillion yuan, with projections of reaching 140 trillion yuan by the end of 2025. Over this period, China has contributed nearly 30% to global economic growth. Innovation-driven development has yielded breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, quantum technology, robotics, 6G, and clean energy, positioning China among the world’s top ten most innovative economies. At the same time, China achieved the historic goal of eradicating absolute poverty, lifting nearly 99 million people out of poverty and fulfilling the UN 2030 poverty reduction target a decade early.

As the bridge between the 14th and 16th Five-Year Plans, the 15th Five-Year Plan focuses on high-quality development and modernization across all sectors. Its main objectives include:

• Economic Transformation: Strengthening advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and digital industries while fostering emerging technologies such as biomanufacturing, hydrogen energy, and embodied AI.
• Scientific Self-Reliance: Advancing innovation capacity and achieving breakthroughs in core technologies, integrated circuits, and advanced materials under the nationwide “AI Plus” initiative.
• Deepened Reform and Openness: Enhancing governance systems and expanding high-standard institutional opening-up.
• Cultural Advancement: Enriching public cultural life and enhancing China’s international soft power.
• Improved Livelihoods: Promoting employment, improving public welfare, and advancing common prosperity.
• Green Development: Implementing the “Beautiful China” initiative to build a clean, low-carbon, and sustainable economy.
• Enhanced Security: Strengthening national security and public safety under the “Peaceful China” initiative.

Despite global uncertainties, China remains confident in its resilience, vast market, and human capital. Through the 15th Five-Year Plan, China aims to translate its vision into concrete progress, continuing its path toward modernization, shared prosperity, and greater contributions to global development.

In conclusion, Ambassador Cao Xiaolin noted that the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has charted the course for China’s development over the next five years and set the direction for advancing the Chinese path to modernization. He emphasized that the new blueprint reflects China’s steadfast commitment, as a responsible major country, to promoting mutually beneficial cooperation with the international community.

Looking ahead, he affirmed that China, as a confident and open nation, will continue to share development opportunities, champion an equal and orderly multipolar world, advance inclusive and sustainable globalization, and work with all partners to build a community with a shared future for humanity.