China Reform Development Xinhua News
China’s Reform Agenda: Upholding Party Leadership for People-Centered Progress
Table of Contents
The Enduring Foundation: CPC Leadership at the Core of Reform
China’s ongoing reform efforts are built upon a bedrock principle: the unwavering centrality of the Communist Party of China (CPC). this has been a defining characteristic of China’s reform playbook since the late 1970s, with the overall leadership of the CPC consistently identified as the crucial determinant of success for the nation’s reform agenda. As President Xi Jinping has emphatically stated,”No matter what we reform,or how far the reform goes,the Party’s leadership must be upheld.”
To solidify this foundational leadership, recent initiatives have focused on reinforcing the Party’s institutional mechanisms. in late June, Xi chaired a critically important meeting that reviewed and approved new regulations governing the formation and operation of the Party’s decision-making and coordination bodies. These bodies have proven instrumental in ensuring the CPC’s guiding hand across a broad spectrum of reform areas, from economic policy to social progress. As these institutional frameworks are strengthened, many major reforms are now being codified into law, transforming proven practices into enduring guidelines for national governance.
A People-Centered Approach: Addressing the Needs of the Chinese People
A hallmark of China’s reform beliefs is its steadfast commitment to a people-centered approach. Progress is not merely measured by economic growth or governance efficiency,but by its tangible impact on the daily lives of the Chinese people. Xi Jinping articulated this principle clearly: “Reform only matters when it serves the people and reform only advances when it relies on the people.” This positions the Party’s reform priorities as a direct response to the evolving needs and aspirations of the populace.
Among Xi’s prominent concerns are critical areas such as urbanization, the reform of the household registration system (Hukou), and the renewal of dilapidated urban neighborhoods. These initiatives reflect a deep engagement with the practical realities faced by citizens.
In January 2025, a visit by Xi to a refurbished residential compound in Shenyang, an old industrial city in Liaoning Province, underscored the importance of these urban renewal projects. This visit, timed just before the Chinese New Year, allowed for a direct assessment of progress on a large-scale renovation initiative. The significance of such neighborhood overhauls extends beyond mere improvements in living conditions; they are integral to supporting sustainable urban development. During his visit, Xi urged reform efforts to sharpen their focus on real-world problems, highlight key areas of impact, and effectively tackle persistent challenges.
Over the past year, China has launched a comprehensive five-year action plan to advance a new type of urbanization, firmly rooted in a people-centered philosophy. this plan outlines 19 initiatives directly impacting everyday life, including deepening reforms of the household registration system to facilitate greater mobility and access to services, enhancing intercity commuting efficiency, and accelerating the renovation of aging urban neighborhoods.
Beyond urbanization, the government has also implemented significant reforms in sectors such as education, elder care, and youth employment, alongside efforts to expand access to affordable childcare.One of the most consequential policy shifts announced last year was the gradual increase in the statutory retirement age, accompanied by the introduction of voluntary and flexible measures designed to address the demographic challenges posed by the country’s aging population.
Observers note that these reforms are effectively addressing the most pressing demands of ordinary citizens, ensuring that the benefits of national development are shared more broadly and equitably across society.