The Chinese Two Sessions have chalked out new strategies for innovation-driven development, which are equally useful for the further expansion of the BRI during 2025 and beyond.
During the Two Sessions, Chinese policymakers pinpointed new drivers of innovation-driven development for the BRI, consisting of digitalization, e-commerce, green technologies, quantum technologies, hybrid agriculture, EVs and lithium batteries.
These innovations aim to transform member countries’ economies, communities and states through economic globalization, international cooperation and modernization.
It is pertinent to mention that emerging geopolitics and Donald Trump’s thundering tariffs are going to change the landscape of the international trading system and economy.
As a result, further expansion of the BRI is essential to mitigate the serious socio-economic, geopolitical and geo-strategic repercussions of America First, economic protectionism, decoupling and delinking.
It seems that China’s new five-year plan is a model of stability, sustainability and adaptability, offering insights for global development.
This plan would also be instrumental in further strengthening the BRI during 2025 and beyond.
China’s 2025 successful Two Sessions have highlighted several key development priorities, mainly economic growth and domestic consumption, setting a GDP growth target of around 5% for 2025.
It emphasizes the need to boost domestic consumption to counter external economic pressures.
Therefore, China’s strong economic conditions serve as a guarantor for the BRI’s expansion and development.
Moreover, technological self-reliance has become one of the key strategic priorities of the BRI, signaling a positive outlook for its modernization, qualitative industrialization, human capital development, green transformation and, most importantly, immense social development through science.
The Chinese Government is focusing on achieving technological independence by investing heavily in research and development, particularly in fields like artificial intelligence, semiconductors and biotechnology, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign technology and enhance China’s position in global tech industries.
This would be a giant step toward technological revolution among the BRI countries.
Other priorities of the Five-Year Plan include defence modernization, social policies to encourage higher birth rates and address the challenges of an aging population and commitments to environmental sustainability.
These diversified social development policies are steering the BRI in the right direction, reducing poverty, unemployment, fostering community development, empowering women and revitalizing the silver economy in China and all member countries.
Reflecting China’s strategic approach to economic resilience, technological advancement, military strength, social stability and environmental responsibility, the strategy presents a long-term vision with flexible execution, allowing for mid-course adjustments to adapt to evolving technological, geopolitical and economic realities.
Evidently, there is consistency in policy implementation.
The five-year plan model provides policy continuity, avoiding short-term political shifts that disrupt long-term development goals often faced in other systems with frequent leadership changes.
This consistency ensures that infrastructure, innovation and industrial policies remain stable, encouraging investment in long-term projects.
Furthermore, the five-year plan model assumes relative stability, particularly in the face of global shocks, such as trade wars and geopolitical tensions, which require agile policymaking and coordinated responses.
This approach serves as an antidote to ongoing economic coercion, trade sanctions and political exploitation of the Global South, particularly targeting the BRI member countries.
The plan promotes balanced economic and social development.
Unlike economic models that focus purely on GDP growth, China’s five-year plan integrates social welfare, poverty alleviation, green energy and technological self-reliance.
This approach has driven China’s rapid industrialization while addressing environmental and social concerns.
Additionally, in an uncertain world, it exemplifies long-term planning for the country as well as for the BRI community.
China’s model highlights the value of structured, long-term planning in an era of global economic instability.
Countries facing deindustrialization, energy transitions and technological shifts can benefit from a more strategic approach to policymaking.
Frankly speaking, China’s five-year plan model combines stability with adaptability, offering valuable insights for global development.
While not universally applicable, its focus on long-term strategic goals, infrastructure investment and technological innovation provides a useful framework for countries seeking sustainable economic growth amid uncertainty.
Over the past year, China has made significant strides in developing new quality productive forces, focusing on technological innovation and sustainable development.
Noteworthy breakthroughs include advancements in artificial intelligence (AI).
Chinese AI company Deep-Seek has emerged as a leader in this space.
This rapid progress underscores China’s commitment to AI innovation and its potential to influence global technology markets.
Moreover, green energy investments are creating new opportunities for all.
Chinese firms have heavily invested in clean energy technologies, particularly in battery materials and solar products.
This surge positions China at the forefront of global decarbonization efforts, despite geopolitical tensions.
Humanoid robotics development has become a hot topic, with China successfully developing humanoid robots for industrial applications, especially in the electric vehicle sector.
These developments highlight China’s strategic focus on integrating advanced technologies to drive economic growth and enhance its position in global markets, which would be a valuable addition to the future development of the BRI.
In summary, China’s 5 percent GDP growth target for 2025 has become a symbol of hope, accelerating productivity, global economic participation, manufacturing capacity and global governance.
Undoubtedly, China’s development model shares common priorities, including industrialization, infrastructure development, digital transformation, renewable energy and employment-driven growth.
Given China’s success in balancing innovation-driven growth with large-scale job creation, there is significant potential for deeper China-BRI collaboration in several key areas.
The formation of industrial zones and special economic zones (SEZs) is expected to increase due to China’s dynamic, innovative, diversified and supportive five-year plan.
It is hoped that the BRI expansion in Latin America, Africa, Central Asia, South Asia and the Middle East will rise, creating numerous mutually beneficial propositions.
It is suggested that Chinese policymakers promote scientific or innovation-driven economic zones in manufacturing, logistics and technology.
It is a positive sign that China is already present and actively assisting all BRI countries through funds, technologies and expertise.
Expanding collaboration on railways, ports and smart cities will enhance the logistics capabilities of BRI member countries, further strengthened by China’s five-year plan.
The author submits that investment in renewable energy grids and water management should be initiated as soon as possible across all BRI countries.
It is recommended that China’s experience in infrastructure, SEZs, digital transformation and renewable energy be aligned with the future expansion of the BRI.
This alignment would accelerate the path toward sustainable industrialization and economic diversification, leveraging the strategic geographic location of BRI countries around the globe.
China is undoubtedly the real champion of a just and fair global governance through its immense contribution to economic, technological, diplomatic and geopolitical dynamics.
As China continues to deepen its global engagement, its approach is evolving from export-driven growth to high-tech leadership, infrastructure diplomacy and strategic influence in global governance, all of which should be integral to BRI development in 2025 and beyond.
