China's Vice-Premier elaborates highlights of the 13th Five-Year Plan

Development during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) should uphold the five principles of innovation, coordination, green development, opening-up and sharing, according to Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli.

The five principles are the main themes in the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020), which was adopted at the Fifth Session of the 18th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Zhang said in an article published in People's Daily on Nov 9.

The proposal sets a target of “maintaining medium-high level growth,” highlighting the ideas of innovation, coordination, green development, opening-up and sharing to fulfill its goals. New technology, industries and business models will prosper through innovation and stimulation of entrepreneurship, according to the proposal.

In his article, Zhang said that green technology, biotechnology, information technology, smart manufacturing, high-end equipment and new energy will be supported.

The government will support research in fundamental sciences, which could lead to breakthroughs in sectors such as information technology and aerospace science, Zhang said.

The government will pay attention to the balance of regional development to make sure that the less-developed regions in middle, western and northeastern China will be boosted, according to the vice-premier.

The income of rural residents should be raised in the process of urbanization, and the government will expand the reform of hukou (household registration) system so that farmers can get better public services in social security, healthcare, and education, Zhang said.

The government will also pay attention to environment protection to pursue sustainable development, especially at a time when the country's natural resources are limited, pollution remains serious, and the ecological system is deteriorating, Zhang said.

The government will continue to boost opening-up and participate more in global governance and trade. Coastal areas should be encouraged to engage in more global trade, and more high-tech manufacturing bases and cross-border economic cooperation zones should be established, Zhang said.

China's development is being gradually integrated and interwoven with the rest of the world, while the world's development also goes along with the Chinese people's dream for a better future, Zhang said.

The government will also try its best to ensure social justice, improve people's livelihoods and achieve the goal of overall well-being, the vice-premier said.