Esteemed Deputies,

The period covered by the 12th Five-Year Plan came to a close in 2015. During the past five years, impressive achievements were made in China’s development. Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, we have found ourselves in a complicated international environment, and we have faced the challenging tasks of carrying out reform and development and maintaining stability at home. However, under the guidance of the CPC Central Committee headed by General Secretary Xi Jinping, we have continued our commitment to the general principle of making progress while working to keep performance stable, deepened reform and opening up, and adopted a series of major measures that should deliver both immediate and long-term benefits. As a result, we successfully fulfilled all the main tasks and targets set out in the 12th Five-Year Plan.

First, a high rate of economic development was maintained.

During this period, China’s GDP grew at an average annual rate of 7.8%. This growth enabled China to comfortably maintain its position as the world’s second-largest economy, and become the largest trading nation in terms of goods as well as a major outbound investor.

Second, milestone progress was achieved in structural adjustments.

Service industries have grown to be the largest economic sector, information technology has been further integrated into industrialization, and overall agricultural production capacity has notably improved. Consumption has become a major driver of growth. Over half of China’s population now resides in urban areas. Energy consumption per unit of GDPhas dropped by 18.2%, and the emissions of major pollutants have been cut by over 12%.

Third, across-the-board improvements were made in infrastructure.

The length of railways in service reached 121,000 kilometers, of which more than 19,000 kilometers are high-speed rail lines—more than 60% of the world’s total. The length of expressways open to traffic exceeded 120,000 kilometers, the eastern and middle routes of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project were put into operation, and the world’s largest 4G mobile network was built in China.

Fourth, significant breakthroughs were made in scientific and technological innovation.

Original achievements were made in quantum communications, neutrino oscillation, and iron-based high-temperature superconductivity through basic research. World-class advances were made in manned spaceflight, the lunar exploration program, and deep-water exploration.

Fifth, living standards improved significantly.

Personal income increased faster than economic growth, and the urban-rural income gap was narrowed. Over 64 million urban jobs were created. Government subsidies were used to build 40.13 million housing units in urban areas, providing new homes for around 100 million people. The number of rural residents living in poverty was cut by more than 100 million, and over 300 million rural residents gained access to safe drinking water.

Sixth, notable achievements were made in social development.

Significant progress was made in ensuring equal access to education, and the quality of education markedly improved. Basic health insurance was expanded to achieve complete coverage, and participation in basic pension plans exceeded 80% of the whole population. China’s soft power continued to grow. The rule of law was advanced in all respects. Significant achievements were made in the military revolution with Chinese characteristics. Over the past five years, China’s economic strength, scientific and technological capabilities, defense capabilities, and international influence have all been strengthened considerably.

The achievements attained during the period of the 12th Five-Year Plan fully demonstrate the strength of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the creativity of the Chinese people. The Chinese people can derive great confidence and a strengthened sense of unity from these achievements, drawing on them to forge ahead on this new leg of the journey toward realizing the Two Centenary Goals* .

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*To finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects by the time the CPC celebrates its centenary in 2021 and to turn the People’s Republic of China into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, and harmonious by the time it celebrates its centenary in 2049.