China Pivots to 'Hard Tech Plus': Six Key Future Industries Identified in New Five-Year Plan Focus

2026 marks the start of China's 15th Five-Year Plan. The five-year plan cycle has long determined China's economic and industrial direction. On the evening of January 30th, the first collective study session of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China, the country's top policymaking body, commenced at the Huirong Hall in Zhongnanhai.The top Chinese leadership at the study session was not significantly focused on broad economic aid or geopolitical issues. Instead, they focused directly on the central concept of the plan, which states: 'Developing and implementing future-oriented industries in the coming days.'The first policy meeting of the year...