Beijing, China – On Thursday, October 23, 2025, China’s dominant Communist Party declared a renewed and intensified focus on achieving self-reliance in science and technology. This strategic shift comes in response to a global landscape marked by increasingly “profound and complex” changes and a noticeable surge in “uncertainty,” signaling a critical pivot in the nation’s long-term development strategy.
This significant declaration was made public through an official communiqué, concluding a pivotal four-day meeting where the party meticulously outlined its ambitious objectives for the country’s upcoming five-year economic plan.
Coinciding with the conclusion of the fourth plenum, the Communist Party also revealed a key leadership change within its military ranks. A new appointment was announced for the nation’s second-highest-ranking general.
Specifically, the Communist Party’s Central Committee promoted Zhang Shengmin to the esteemed role of vice chair of the Central Military Commission. This promotion follows the earlier expulsion of his predecessor from the party. General Zhang Shengmin, already a distinguished member of the commission, is noted for his current leadership within the People’s Liberation Army’s elite Rocket Force.