Latest news with #15thFive-YearPlan
Malaysia Sun
16 hours ago
- Business
- Malaysia Sun
China strengthens disability support systems in 14th Five-Year Plan period
BEIJING, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Millions of people living with disabilities have seen their lives improve as China made major strides in accessibility, inclusion and support during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025). At a press conference held in Beijing on Tuesday, senior officials from the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF) outlined the major achievements in disability support during the period and shared new goals for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). "The enrollment rate of children and adolescents with disabilities in compulsory education in China has reached 97 percent, with over 30,000 disabled students entering universities each year," said Cheng Kai, chairman of the CDPF, at the press conference. The next five-year plan is set to prioritize high-quality development in the disability sector, according to the press conference. LEARNING AND EARNING According to Cheng, China's education system for individuals with disabilities has undergone further improvement. Currently, 75,800 students with disabilities study in secondary vocational schools nationwide, while 59,800 attend regular high schools. Li Dongmei, vice chair of the federation, noted that a special campaign was launched to equip school campuses with assistive devices, benefiting nearly 100,000 students with disabilities. Standardized textbooks have been developed for special schools, as well as sign-language textbooks for nine subjects. Financially, in 2025, the per capita subsidy for students with disabilities receiving compulsory education was increased to more than 7,000 yuan (about 980 U.S. dollars) per year. Those whose families have financial difficulties are eligible to receive 12 years of free education from primary school to senior high school. With stronger educational and financial support, individuals with disabilities are better equipped to enter the workforce. The annual net income of families with disabled members in China grew at an average rate of 6.9 percent per year from 2020 to 2023, roughly matching the pace of the country's GDP growth, according to Cheng. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, more than 400,000 persons with disabilities were newly employed every year, Li said. The employment rate of the disabled population grew by nearly 5 percentage points. BETTER ACCESS, BETTER CARE The participation rate of persons with disabilities in China's basic medical insurance has remained above 95 percent. Meanwhile, over 90 percent of persons with disabilities in China are covered by basic pension insurance for both urban and rural residents, said Cheng. By June 2025, living allowances for the disabled in financial difficulty and nursing subsidies for the severely disabled had benefited 11.88 million and 16.4 million, respectively. A total of 10.5 million persons with disabilities are covered by the country's subsistence allowance system, Cheng added. Public services have also been enhanced to improve the lives of persons with disabilities. A nationwide campaign for barrier-free home renovations benefited 1.28 million households with severely disabled members during the period, surpassing the original target of 1.1 million, Cheng said. China is also exploring the use of advanced technologies such as smart bionic hands and guide robots to improve the well-being of persons with disabilities, ensuring that scientific and technological progress benefits this community. Zhou Changkui, chairperson of the Board of Executive Directors of the CDPF, said that the federation and some other governmental departments have jointly issued a guiding document to promote the use of technology in supporting persons with disabilities. It is also collaborating with universities, research institutes and high-tech companies to boost the development of relevant technologies and industries. TOWARD A FAIRER, SMARTER FUTURE As China charts a path for the 15th Five-Year Plan, the emphasis on high-quality development in the disability sector remains central, with a focus on stronger support systems and innovation-driven solutions. A key focus will be improving livelihood security for persons with disabilities. Efforts will include refining basic, inclusive, and guaranteed social protection systems, as well as better support for persons with disabilities in rural areas, said Zhou. Public services will also see significant upgrades. Zhou noted that long-term care for the severely disabled and rehabilitation programs for children with autism will be expanded in the 15th Five-Year Plan period. Zhou said that to safeguard equal rights, China will revise and step up enforcement of key disability-related laws. Enhanced legal services and stronger judicial protections will help ensure that persons with disabilities can fully enjoy fairness and justice. Moreover, during the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan period, China will continue to promote the application of artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies to serve persons with disabilities, and ensure that advanced technologies better meet their needs, according to Zhou. The plan will also highlight cultural and spiritual wellbeing. Community-based sports and cultural programs will be expanded, while greater support will be extended to persons with disabilities in artistic creation and cultural industries. As Zhou emphasized, achieving a better life for people living with disabilities means enriching both body and spirit.
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
China sets its sights on export boost
China will intensify efforts to advance high-quality trade development, deepen international cooperation and bolster innovation to further boost exports during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period, the country's top commerce official said on Friday. Speaking at a news conference in Beijing, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said these measures will foster an open, cooperative and mutually beneficial global trading landscape that promotes shared development. Wang said that despite external pressures, China further cemented its position as a major global trading nation, with notable progress in high-quality development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25). The country's foreign trade reached $6.16 trillion in 2024, up 32.4 percent from 2020, maintaining its position as the world's largest trading nation for the eighth consecutive year, according to the Ministry of Commerce. "Chinese exporters have shown remarkable resilience, actively adapting to changes and driving transformation," he said, adding that they are accelerating product upgrades, especially by enhancing technological content, while also expanding into new markets and channels, and exploring innovative business models. The commerce minister said that China's foreign trade-related production and supply chains have become more complete, flexible and efficient, reinforcing the country's ability to navigate external uncertainties and laying a solid foundation for sustained and high-quality trade growth. Noting that any attempt to forcibly "decouple" economic and trade ties between China and the United States is destined to fail, Wang said the bilateral economic relationship has endured fluctuations, with cooperation remaining anchored in economic fundamentals and reflecting the shared interests and expectations of people in both countries. As economic globalization has encountered mounting challenges and unilateralism and protectionism have continued to rise in recent years, China International Trade Representative Li Chenggang said that the world's economic order and governance system have come under significant strain. In response, China has reaffirmed its commitment to the multilateral trading system and has worked to expand its network of high-standard free trade agreements, advancing both multilateral and regional cooperation in parallel, said Li, who is also vice-minister of commerce. "In addition to completing negotiations on the Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area agreement earlier this year, China has also incorporated rules on emerging sectors such as the digital and green economy into its trade negotiations," he added. Reflecting China's broader commitment to high-standard opening-up, foreign investment has also played a key role in supporting the country's economic development. China utilized a total of $708.73 billion in foreign investment during the 14th Five-Year Plan period by the end of June this year, reaching the target set in the national commerce development plan six months ahead of schedule. Ling Ji, vice-minister of commerce and deputy China international trade representative, said that foreign-invested companies have contributed one-third of China's foreign trade and one-quarter of its industrial added value, while creating over 30 million jobs, making a significant contribution to the country's economic development. In a renewed push to draw more global capital, China on Friday introduced 12 targeted measures to encourage foreign companies to reinvest in the Chinese market and boost the effective use of foreign investment. The new policy, jointly issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and six other government bodies, said that China will support eligible foreign-invested companies reinvesting profits domestically through flexible land use, tax incentives, streamlined procedures, financial support and improved services to encourage high-quality foreign reinvestment projects. Jiangsu Mobis Automotive Parts Co Ltd, an automobile lamp and airbag manufacturer and subsidiary of South Korea's Hyundai Mobis Co in Yancheng, Jiangsu province, has strengthened its earning capacity since joining the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program in 2024, with support from the local government. The AEO program, promoted by the World Customs Organization, fosters partnerships between customs authorities and businesses to enhance supply chain security and streamline global trade through simplified procedures. "Since joining the program, we have expanded to become a global supplier of components to more automakers in Japan and Southeast Asia," said Zheng Yinyin, a manager at the company's foreign trade unit. The company, which employs more than 1,000 people, saw its exports soar 44.5 percent year-on-year to 430 million yuan ($60 million) between January and June, data from Nanjing Customs showed. - China Daily/ANN
Asia News Network
2 days ago
- Business
- Asia News Network
China's 15th five-year plan to see enhanced innovation, deepened international cooperation
July 21, 2025 BEIJING – China will intensify efforts to advance high-quality trade development, deepen international cooperation and bolster innovation to further boost exports during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period, the country's top commerce official said on Friday. Speaking at a news conference in Beijing, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said these measures will foster an open, cooperative and mutually beneficial global trading landscape that promotes shared development. Wang said that despite external pressures, China further cemented its position as a major global trading nation, with notable progress in high-quality development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25). The country's foreign trade reached $6.16 trillion in 2024, up 32.4 percent from 2020, maintaining its position as the world's largest trading nation for the eighth consecutive year, according to the Ministry of Commerce. 'Chinese exporters have shown remarkable resilience, actively adapting to changes and driving transformation,' he said, adding that they are accelerating product upgrades, especially by enhancing technological content, while also expanding into new markets and channels, and exploring innovative business models. The commerce minister said that China's foreign trade-related production and supply chains have become more complete, flexible and efficient, reinforcing the country's ability to navigate external uncertainties and laying a solid foundation for sustained and high-quality trade growth. Noting that any attempt to forcibly 'decouple' economic and trade ties between China and the United States is destined to fail, Wang said the bilateral economic relationship has endured fluctuations, with cooperation remaining anchored in economic fundamentals and reflecting the shared interests and expectations of people in both countries. As economic globalization has encountered mounting challenges and unilateralism and protectionism have continued to rise in recent years, China International Trade Representative Li Chenggang said that the world's economic order and governance system have come under significant strain. In response, China has reaffirmed its commitment to the multilateral trading system and has worked to expand its network of high-standard free trade agreements, advancing both multilateral and regional cooperation in parallel, said Li, who is also vice-minister of commerce. 'In addition to completing negotiations on the Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area agreement earlier this year, China has also incorporated rules on emerging sectors such as the digital and green economy into its trade negotiations,' he added. Reflecting China's broader commitment to high-standard opening-up, foreign investment has also played a key role in supporting the country's economic development. China utilized a total of $708.73 billion in foreign investment during the 14th Five-Year Plan period by the end of June this year, reaching the target set in the national commerce development plan six months ahead of schedule. Ling Ji, vice-minister of commerce and deputy China international trade representative, said that foreign-invested companies have contributed one-third of China's foreign trade and one-quarter of its industrial added value, while creating over 30 million jobs, making a significant contribution to the country's economic development. In a renewed push to draw more global capital, China on Friday introduced 12 targeted measures to encourage foreign companies to reinvest in the Chinese market and boost the effective use of foreign investment. The new policy, jointly issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and six other government bodies, said that China will support eligible foreign-invested companies reinvesting profits domestically through flexible land use, tax incentives, streamlined procedures, financial support and improved services to encourage high-quality foreign reinvestment projects. Jiangsu Mobis Automotive Parts Co Ltd, an automobile lamp and airbag manufacturer and subsidiary of South Korea's Hyundai Mobis Co in Yancheng, Jiangsu province, has strengthened its earning capacity since joining the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program in 2024, with support from the local government. The AEO program, promoted by the World Customs Organization, fosters partnerships between customs authorities and businesses to enhance supply chain security and streamline global trade through simplified procedures. 'Since joining the program, we have expanded to become a global supplier of components to more automakers in Japan and Southeast Asia,' said Zheng Yinyin, a manager at the company's foreign trade unit. The company, which employs more than 1,000 people, saw its exports soar 44.5 percent year-on-year to 430 million yuan ($60 million) between January and June, data from Nanjing Customs showed.
AllAfrica
27-06-2025
- Business
- AllAfrica
Trump's Iran gamble brings respite, not resolution
Subscribe now with a one-month trial for only $1, then enjoy the first year at an exclusive rate of just $99. Israel-Iran war poised to reignite with little warning Nile Bowie analyzes the aftermath of the Israel-Iran war, arguing that the conflict has likely catalyzed Tehran to shift toward nuclear deterrence amid contradictory US intelligence assessments of the strikes' impact on Iran's nuclear infrastructure. Ukraine's bargaining power fades as NATO recalibrates James Davis assesses the deepening fatigue among Western nations toward Ukraine's war effort. The June NATO summit marked the first time since 2022 that Ukraine was not central to the communiqué, and Russia was not explicitly condemned. Germany sets record deficit in €850 billion debt push Diego Faßnacht unpacks Germany's record-breaking 2025–2029 federal budget, which signals a historic shift from fiscal orthodoxy toward aggressive deficit spending under new Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil. The long-term viability of Germany's fiscal pivot remains uncertain. Moore's Law with Chinese characteristics Scott Foster analyzes how China's forthcoming 15th Five-Year Plan is set to elevate the semiconductor industry as a national priority. Drawing on insights from Ye Tianchun, a leading industry figure, Foster outlines Beijing's comprehensive planning and strategic resilience.
Straits Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Clean-tech investment could boost China's economy, cut emissions and achieve 2035 development goals, study finds.
Rows of solar panels are seen during installation at a photovoltaic project in Qingdao, in eastern Shandong province. PHOTO: AFP SINGAPORE – China is on the cusp of a clean-energy-led economic revolution that could not only achieve the government's 2035 development goals but also slash air pollution and carbon emissions in a global win for fighting climate change, researchers say. To get there, Beijing needs to enact policies that ramp up investment in renewable energy and green-technology manufacturing and innovation as well as set ambitious emissions reduction targets for the next decade, Helsinki-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (Crea) said in a report published on June 19. Decisions made over the coming months will be key, the authors said. China's clean energy industries could double in value by 2035, adding US$2.1 trillion (S$2.7 trillion) to the economy, if the country and the world's other large markets follow emissions targets aligned with the United Nations Paris Agreement, the planet's main climate pact. China is already the world's top investor in renewable energy. Sustained green investment will make an important contribution to China's target of becoming a 'moderately prosperous' country in a decade, delivering one- fifth of the targeted gross domestic product growth in 2035, the authors said. Achieving a moderately prosperous economy is a key goal for Beijing , and to achieve this would mean doubling China's GDP from 101.6 trillion yuan (S$18. 15 trillion) in 2020 to more than 200 trillion yuan by 2035. 'The next decade will be critical in deciding whether China can seize the economic and strategic advantages of clean energy sectors and lead the world into a new phase of high-quality, innovation-led development,' said Ms Belinda Schaepe, China policy analyst at Crea and a co-author of the report . The government needs to set out ambitious policy targets in China's 15th Five-Year Plan covering 2026 to 2030, and in its climate action plan out to 2035 that it must submit to the United Nations in 2025, she added . The climate plan, called a nationally determined contribution (NDC), is mandatory for all parties to the Paris Agreement . NDCs are submitted every five years and are meant to be more ambitious than the previous one. 'Weak targets, by contrast, risk slowing China's momentum, creating uncertainty, and missing a historic opportunity to lead the global energy transition,' said Ms Schaepe . China needs to submit its NDC by the UN COP30 climate talks in Brazil in November . Beijing has already said the NDC will cover the entire economy and all greenhouse gases, a first for the country. The potential of the clean-energy sector to transform the economy is already apparent. In 2024, the sector, which includes electric vehicles, EV batteries, wind turbines and solar cells and modules, accounted for 10 per cent of GDP and 25 per cent of GDP growth, overtaking the value of real estate sales for the first time. And China is continuing its record-breaking renewable energy investment, adding 124.9 gigawatts (GW) of wind and solar capacity in the first four months of 2025, according to Sydney-based think-tank Climate Energy Finance, based on data from China's National Energy Administration. By April 2025, China had 1,533 GW of wind and solar capacity, far ahead of any other nation, helping to reduce its dependence on polluting coal. In 2024, China's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions declined year-on-year for the first time despite strong electricity demand growth. 'China's unprecedented clean energy expansion was the primary driver in reducing emissions, offsetting the increase in emissions from other industrial sectors,' the authors noted . 'Beyond economic contributions to China's GDP, clean energy sectors could also cut China's emissions by 30 per cent compared with current levels,' they added . This is key because China is also the world's top CO2 polluter and coal consumer and what it decides on energy and economic policy will affect the global pace of climate change for years to come. China's rapid expansion of clean-energy investment and production overseas will also help reduce global emissions growth, while also boosting the economy at home. 'The clean energy sectors stand poised to both lead China's economic prosperity and drive down the country's CO2 emissions,' said co-author Lauri Myllyvirta, lead analyst at Crea. But if momentum in these sectors were to slow, they could instead become a drag on the economy and also curb emissions reductions, he added. David Fogarty is deputy foreign editor at The Straits Times and senior climate writer. He also covers the environment, in areas ranging from biodiversity to plastic pollution. Find out more about climate change and how it could affect you on the ST microsite here.
