Democratic process of planning

It has taken nine key steps to work out and finalize the guidelines for China's progress over the next five years

China has promulgated five-year plans since 1953, and the five-year guidelines have become a comprehensive and guiding road map for national economic and social development and a strategic blueprint for modernization with Chinese characteristics. The Chinese economy has maintained high growth rates, in part, thanks to the five-year plans.

China is not alone in achieving fast economic growth by implementing five-year plans. Of the top 20 countries that enjoyed the fastest economic growth from 1980-2005, 13 implemented five-year or four-year plans. Of the top 10, eight had five-year plans.