The Fourth Plenum typically addresses institutional reforms, political control, and long-term governance priorities.
This year, the focus shifted towards economic resilience, technological autonomy, and national security, due to China's domestic slowdown and external turbulence.
The next decade will not be about liberalisation or market experimentation.
The 2025 Fourth Plenum reaffirmed Xi Jinping's centrality and ideological supremacy, embedding his "New Era" socialism into China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).
Author's summary: China's Fourth Plenum shifts focus to economic resilience.