Chinese Premier Chairs State Council Executive Meeting on Budget and Five-Year Plans

BEIJING, June 11 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang chaired a significant State Council executive meeting on Thursday that addressed critical economic and developmental priorities for China, including fiscal accountability measures and strategic planning for the next five years. The meeting comprehensively reviewed the rectification of issues identified during the audit of the 2025 central budget execution and related fiscal revenues and expenditures. Officials are required to develop categorized problem lists with corresponding rectification measures to ensure thorough and effective corrections across all government departments. The Premier emphasized the need to strengthen budget management systems and deepen fiscal and tax system reforms to improve the effectiveness of science-based fiscal governance. A major focus of the meeting was the implementation of initiatives proposed at the National Science and Technology Conference. Members were directed to efficiently execute major national scientific and technological tasks while improving mechanisms for diversified investment. The meeting determined that enhanced coordination in cultivating, attracting, and retaining talent must be strengthened to support China innovation capabilities and technological self-reliance. In an important policy development, the meeting reviewed and officially approved the 15th Five-Year Plan for Education Development covering 2026 to 2030. This comprehensive plan calls for building a high-level teaching workforce, expanding high-standard educational opening up, and comprehensively improving the quality and accessibility of public education services. The plan emphasizes better coordination and allocation of educational resources across all regions to ensure equitable educational opportunities nationwide. The State Council also reviewed and approved the 15th Five-Year Plan for Building a Beautiful China, outlining environmental protection and sustainability objectives. The plan calls for improving the national ecosystem through coordinated approaches, actively responding to climate change challenges, and accelerating the development of green production methods and sustainable lifestyles. This initiative demonstrates China continued commitment to environmental stewardship and ecological civilization building. Additionally, the meeting discussed and approved in principle a draft revision of the Road Traffic Safety Law. The decision was made to submit the comprehensive legal amendment to the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress for further deliberation and potential adoption. The revision aims to enhance road safety standards and modernize traffic regulations to address contemporary transportation challenges. These decisions reflect the Chinese government focus on fiscal discipline, technological advancement, educational development, environmental sustainability, and legal modernization as core priorities for national development in the current five-year period.