Back to homepage

ICES Webinar | China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and Its Implications for EU–China Relations

Hosted by the Institute for China-Europe Studies (ICES)

roundtable

Date: Friday, April 10, 2026
Time: 10:00-11:20, CEST; 16:00-17:20, SGT & BJT.

ICES was pleased to welcome:

  • Dr Ceren ERGENC, Research Fellow, the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS)
  • Dr Daniel BALAZS, Research Fellow, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
  • Dr Duncan FREEMAN, Independent Researcher; Lecturer, Brussels Management School (ICHEC)
  • Dr WANG Dan, China Director, Eurasia Group
  • The event was moderated by YANG Li, Executive Director, ICES
    •

    As China just formally approved its 15th Five-Year Plan (5YP) in March, countries around the world have taken notice of the goals announced by Beijing, as they will have major influences for international trade and geoeconomics. ICES was proud to host a webinar that looked at the highlights of the 5YP, the rationale behind the choices made, and what it will mean for EU-China relations, thanks to the insights of specialised academics.

    Dr Wang underlined how future macroeconomic policies in China will be monitored to align with the targets of the 5YP, namely upgrading supply chains, supporting advanced technologies, and boosting high-end manufacturing. The goal is to become a leader in future industries, including nuclear fusion, 6G, or robotics. While this offers a high degree of certainty for markets, it also creates a new risk of overcapacity in those sectors.

    Dr Ergenc put the emphasis on the chemicals and materials sectors that China is bound to dominate in the coming years, especially biotech, and on the impact this will have on European economies, as well as what Europe could do in response, both in terms of defensive de-risking and active investment.

    Dr Balazs highlighted the emphasis on domestic consumption, import-export balance, and market openness in the 5YP as deliberate attempts by the Chinese government to reassure its international partners, who are typically worried about these specific points.

    Dr Freeman, however, suggested that these frictions are unlikely to go away easily, since Europe’s recent shift on supply chain security is bound to clash with China’s own declared intent to secure its supply chains.

    Overall, the speakers agreed that the implementation of these policy plans will be the true litmus test of the EU-China relationship, as several elements of the 5YP could be both reassuring and concerning for Europe at the moment.

    We extend our sincere thanks to the speakers for their insightful contributions and sometimes lively debate and to our engaged audience for their participation.

    If you were unable to follow the discussion live, we invite you to watch the full recording via:
    https://youtu.be/nqyqvK_UlWQ