On November 21, H.E. Chu Maoming, Chinese Ambassador to Dominica, published a signed article titled China’s 15th Five-Year Plan Brings New Opportunities for Dominica in Dominica’s mainstream newspaper The Chronicle. In the article, Ambassador Chu introduced the outcomes of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and looked ahead to the bright prospects for China–Dominica cooperation during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.Full Text：
On October 23, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) concluded successfully in Beijing. This important session provides the top-level design and strategic blueprint for China’s economic and social development over the next five years, while also demonstrating the broad opportunities China is offering to the world—especially to Global South partners such as Dominica. Earlier this month, I shared relevant information at a press briefing held at the Chinese Embassy. I would like to take this opportunity to revisit some of the key highlights.
Medium-to-Long-Term Planning Ensures Stable and Effective Governance
The term “15th Five-Year Plan” is undoubtedly the keyword of this plenary session. In China, we develop and implement medium-to-long-term national development plans in five-year cycles. This approach represents an important governance experience that the CPC stands ready to share with the world.
To begin with, Five-Year Plans ensure policy continuity. China’s Five-Year Plans consistently focus on advancing socialist modernization, maintaining both conceptual continuity and the flexibility to adapt to new circumstances. This strategic consistency and policy stability have enabled China to achieve two remarkable miracles: rapid economic growth and long-term social stability.
Five-Year Plans also enable China to mobilize resources for major undertakings. A vivid example is China’s victory in poverty alleviation in 2021, supported by the 13th Five-Year Plan. Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with my President H.E. Xi Jinping at its core, China allocated over 222 billion USD in targeted poverty alleviation funds over five years and dispatched 2.9 million officials to the front lines. This institutional advantage—setting clear goals and concentrating resources to achieve them—was key to the success.
Moreover, Five-Year Plans have made China a “stabilizing anchor” for the global economy. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China’s GDP exceeded 18 trillion USD, and its contribution to global economic growth remained around 30 percent. China has a proven track record of setting its goals responsibly and delivering on its commitments. At a time when unilateralism, protectionism, and power politics are on the rise—and the international economic order is facing serious challenges—the stability embodied in the 15th Five-Year Plan will provide much-needed certainty for a turbulent world.
Opening Up to Share the Benefits of Chinese Modernization
The session underscored that opening up and cooperation for mutual benefit are integral to Chinese modernization. China will continue to expand opening up at the institutional level and share opportunities with the rest of the world and promote common development. Today, the Global South accounts for more than 40 percent of the global economy and contributes 80 percent of global growth, becoming a key driving force for world development. As a natural member of the Global South, China will continue working to advance unity and revitalization among developing countries so that development outcomes are shared more equitably.
Over the next five years, China will strengthen strategic alignment with Belt and Road partner countries, advance both major signature projects and “small and beautiful” public wellbeing projects, and deepen practical cooperation across all sectors. As a good example of South-South cooperation, China and Dominica have achieved fruitful outcomes under the Belt and Road framework. Last month, President Xi met with Dominican President H.E. Sylvanie Burton. President Xi affirmed the solid achievements of bilateral cooperation and reiterated that China will continue supporting Dominica in enhancing capabilities in climate action and disaster prevention and mitigation, strengthen cooperation in such areas as infrastructure, clean energy, healthcare, agriculture and empowerment of women, and enhance people-to-people exchanges in culture, education and tourism.
Recently, I witnessed the official opening of the Ocean Oasis Hotel, constructed by a Chinese company—another milestone injecting fresh momentum into Dominica’s economic development. I also joined the Chinese Medical Team in organizing free medical consultations and health lectures for local girls—a touching moment that filled me with hope for their promising futures. At present, China is working to accelerate major cooperation projects, including the new international airport and the post-hurricane reconstruction of six schools, while guiding the Chinese agricultural mission, medical teams, and Confucius Classroom to continue serving the Dominican people with dedication.
Deepening practical cooperation is essential for elevating China–Dominica relations to new heights, and constitutes a natural part of the 15th Five-Year Plan. I firmly believe that China’s further opening-up will allow the fruits of Chinese modernization to benefit even more Global South partners—including Dominica.
Green Development Supports Climate Resilience
The plenary session emphasized that green development is a defining feature of Chinese modernization. China has announced that we are actively and prudently working towards our goals on carbon peak and carbon neutrality. We will make the world’s biggest cut in carbon emission intensity and move from carbon peak to carbon neutrality in the shortest time frame ever seen in history. In September, President Xi announced China’s Nationally Determined Contributions in his remarks at the United Nations Climate Summit, and noted that we have the resolve and confidence to deliver on our commitments. He called on all countries to step up actions to realize the beautiful vision of harmony between man and nature, and preserve planet Earth.
Climate change is a core concern for Dominica as a small island developing state, and it also profoundly affects China. China has more than 18,000 kilometers of coastline, home to major economic hubs and dense populations. Rising sea levels would have severe consequences. For both countries, climate resilience and disaster risk reduction are essential areas of cooperation.
Across our ongoing collaboration—from the international airport and school reconstruction projects to community river defense walls construction—climate resilience remains a core consideration. Over the past two years, President Xi has emphasized in meetings with President Burton and Prime Minister Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit that China attaches importance to the issues of Small Island Developing States related to climate change, and will continue supporting Dominica in enhancing capabilities in climate action and disaster prevention and mitigation. At the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China–CELAC Forum, both sides included climate change cooperation, environmental protection, and disaster risk management in the China–CELAC Joint Action Plan (2025–2027). Under the guidance of our leaders and the China-CELAC Forum framework, China–Dominica cooperation in climate resilience and disaster prevention is set to reach new heights.
As the 15th Five-Year Plan is expected to be reviewed and adopted by China’s National People’s Congress next year, its implementation will open new chapters in China’s development and international cooperation. Looking to the promising future of our bilateral relations, China stands ready to work closely with Dominica to seize this important opportunity, deepen cooperation across all sectors, and jointly build a community of shared future for humanity.
