Learn about the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee in 3 minutes

The fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee is being held in Beijing from October 20 to 23, 2025. "The 20th," "the fourth" — what exactly do these numbers mean? And what weight do this series of meetings carry for China? "The 20th" refers to the ordinal number of the Central Committee of the CPC. The Central Committee, together with the National Congress of the CPC that elects it, forms the Party's highest leadership body. And the Communist Party of China, as is well known, is the ruling party of the country. During its five-year term, the Central Committee typically convenes seven plenary sessions, sequentially referred to as the first through the seventh plenary sessions. While each session focuses on a different theme, the institutionalization of these plenary sessions helps ensure that policy-making remains scientific and consistent, while exercising democratic centralism. This year marks the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan period, and next year China will officially launch the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–30). Therefore, the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee will set the tone, direction, and momentum for China's next stage of economic development.