BEIJING -- On Dec 3, the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee convened a symposium at Zhongnanhai in Beijing to solicit opinions and suggestions on the country's economic performance this year and economic work for the next year from the central committees of eight non-CPC parties, chairperson of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), as well as prominent figures without party affiliation. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the symposium and delivered an important speech. He emphasized that the underlying conditions and fundamental trends sustaining China's long-term economic growth remain unchanged. He noted the need to strengthen confidence, leverage the strengths, rise to challenges, continuously consolidate and expand the positive momentum of steady economic growth, and get the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) off to a good start.

Li Qiang, Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang, who are members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the symposium. Entrusted by the CPC Central Committee, Li Qiang briefed the participants on the performance of this year's economic work and shared considerations regarding economic work for the coming year.

At the symposium, those who delivered remarks included Zheng Jianbang, chairman of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang; Ding Zhongli, chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League; Sun Dongsheng, vice chairman of the Central Committee of the China National Democratic Construction Association; Cai Dafeng, chairman of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy; He Wei, chairman of the Central Committee of the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party; Jiang Zuojun, chairman of the Central Committee of the China Zhi Gong Party; Wu Weihua, chairman of the Central Committee of the Jiusan Society; Su Hui, chairperson of the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League; Gao Yunlong, chairman of the ACFIC; and Gao Hongjun, a representative of personages without party affiliation. They fully endorsed the CPC Central Committee's analysis and judgment of the current economic situation and its planning for next year's economic work. They put forward opinions and suggestions on optimizing industrial layout, increasing high-quality supply, deepening reforms of systems concerning education, science and technology as well as talent, building a unified national market for data factors, expanding domestic demand, advancing high-standard opening up, enhancing people's health and well-being, promoting high-quality employment, and strengthening cultural soft power.

After earnestly listening to their remarks, Xi delivered an important speech. He stated that the participants had fully affirmed the achievements made in this year's economic work and offered opinions and suggestions for next year's economic work, which the CPC Central Committee would carefully study and adopt.

Xi pointed out that in 2025, a truly extraordinary year, the CPC Central Committee united and led the entire Party and people of all ethnic groups to meet challenges head-on and strive forward. By keeping in mind both domestic and international imperatives and implementing more proactive and impactful macro policies, we will successfully fulfill the main economic and social development targets. Over the past five years, we have effectively dealt with various challenges, secured new major achievements in the cause of the Party and the country. With the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) successfully concluding, China has ascended to new heights in economic strength, scientific and technological capabilities, and composite national power.

Xi also noted that throughout 2025, central committees of non-CPC political parties, the ACFIC, and prominent figures without party affiliation, having aligned closely with decisions and policies of the CPC Central Committee, conducted fact-finding missions on initiatives such as integrated development of technological and industrial innovation and expansion of multi-dimensional domestic demand, did a good job in democratic oversight over eco-environmental protection along the Yangtze River, and provided timely proposals and suggestions on addressing pivotal issues concerning social and economic development. All these served as important reference for informed decision-making by the CPC Central Committee. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi extended sincere appreciation to all present at the meeting.

Xi stressed that to do a good job in economic work next year, it is imperative to follow the guidance of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and all plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, fully and faithfully implement the new development philosophy, move faster to forge a new development paradigm, and focus on promoting high-quality development. It is also essential to adhere to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, better coordinate domestic economic work with struggles in the international economic and trade arena, better secure both development and security, implement more proactive and impactful macro policies, and formulate more far-sighted, more targeted and better-coordinated policies. Xi emphasized the need to continuously expand domestic demand, optimize supply, promote new growth drivers and revitalize existing ones, develop new quality productive forces in accordance with local conditions, and further advance the building of a unified national market. It is equally important to prevent and defuse risks in key areas, focus on securing the steady development of employment, enterprises, markets and expectations, promote high-quality economic growth while achieving an appropriate increase in economic output, and ensure that the society is harmonious and stable.

Xi put forward three hopes for the non-CPC political parties, the ACFIC, and prominent figures without party affiliation. First, they should thoroughly study and fully understand the guiding principles of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, accurately grasp and fully comprehend the strategic plans of the CPC Central Committee, and always think, stand, and act along with the CPC. Second, they should take active part in contributing ideas and efforts to the formulation and implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan. In this regard, they are expected to conduct in-depth fact-finding missions on issues such as building a modern industrial system, developing new quality productive forces in light of local conditions, and building a strong domestic market, so as to put forward valuable and weighty opinions and suggestions. Third, they should close ranks to help sustain the momentum of steady economic growth. They are expected to assist the CPC and the government in communicating policies, dispelling doubts and misgivings, and building consensus, and to guide their members and the groups they are in contact with in strengthening confidence and boosting morale, thus fostering a sound atmosphere for development.

Liu Guozhong, Li Ganjie, He Lifeng, Zhang Guoqing, Wu Zhenglong, and leading officials of relevant departments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council attended the meeting.

Non-CPC prominent figures who also attended the meeting included Shao Hong, He Baoxiang, Wang Guangqian, Zhu Yongxin, Yang Zhen, Zhang Endi, Fang Guanghua and Du Yingfen.