China's NDRC Briefs US Multinationals on 15th Five-Year Plan Priorities

China's National Development and Reform Commission held a high-level roundtable in Beijing with representatives from over 60 American multinational corporations and major business chambers. The session focused on early policy directions for China's upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan, measures to attract foreign capital, and the implementation of domestic equipment renewal and consumption-boosting initiatives. Chinese officials reiterated that bilateral trade remains mutually beneficial and pledged continuous policy support to maintain a predictable environment for foreign investors.

As geopolitical friction and economic headwinds complicate cross-border business planning, direct high-level dialogue between China's top economic planning agency and American executives signals Beijing's intent to stabilize foreign business sentiment. By walking multinational leaders through upcoming medium-term policy priorities, macroeconomic regulators are seeking to preserve supply chain ties and reassure global investors that China remains committed to institutional opening-up.

China's top economic planner convened a high-level dialogue with American multinational executives in Beijing on September 10, presenting policy frameworks for the forthcoming 15th Five-Year Plan period and affirming continued institutional support for overseas capital. The roundtable, themed around embracing the 15th Five-Year Plan and pursuing common development, was organized by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). NDRC Vice Chairman Zhou Haibing and Beijing Executive Vice Mayor Xia Linmao addressed the gathering, which brought together nearly 100 representatives from the American Chamber of Commerce in China, the US-China Business Council, and more than 60 U.S. multinationals. During the meeting, Chinese officials emphasized that economic and trade relations between China and the United States remain mutually beneficial in essence, arguing that enhanced commercial cooperation serves both countries and the global economy. The NDRC stated that China will persist with high-standard opening-up during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, promising robust policy safeguards for foreign businesses operating in the country. Planners urged American corporations to serve as bilateral bridges and pursue practical commercial opportunities in the Chinese market. Officials from various specialized NDRC departments delivered targeted briefings on macroeconomic considerations shaping the draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan. Specific sessions focused on inbound foreign investment policies, recent progress under the 'Two New' framework—referring to large-scale equipment upgrades and consumer goods trade-in incentives—and broader demand-side measures aimed at boosting household consumption. Officials from the Beijing Municipal Development and Reform Commission also presented an overview of the capital city's economic development and local investment environment. Corporate participants represented a diverse range of critical industries, including modern agriculture, consumer electronics, high technology, biomedicine, industrial manufacturing, and power and energy. Attendees held discussions with regulatory officials covering market conditions and operating priorities. The session saw participation from multiple core NDRC bodies, including the departments of planning, foreign capital, resource conservation and environmental protection, employment, international cooperation, and the International Cooperation Center.