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Global Impact | Promises abound of deepened reform, but what did China’s third plenum tell us?

  • In this week’s issue of the Global Impact newsletter, we look back at the conclusion of China’s third plenum

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Top leaders attend the third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee in Beijing. Photo: AP
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The communique released summarising China’s third plenum – one of several gatherings of the Communist Party’s elite Central Committee – was seen as seeking a delicate balance between growth and security in the face of mounting uncertainties.

It was released at the end of the four-day session, typically an occasion for the party elite to hammer out long-term strategies.

Analysts said the outcome was in line with expectations as it provided a continuation of existing policy tweaks, although nothing that hinted at China heading towards a different direction.

“China’s leadership has promised to continue comprehensively deepening reform in a wide range of areas. But there are few signs that the just-concluded third plenum marks a major change in the direction of policymaking,” said Julian Evans-Pritchard, head of China economics at Capital Economics.

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“And there still appears to be a tension between policies aimed at boosting economic security and expanding the supply side of the economy, and those aimed at giving market forces a greater role and rebalancing growth toward consumption.”

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China’s Communist Party wraps up policy meeting amid growing uncertainties

China’s Communist Party wraps up policy meeting amid growing uncertainties
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