As 2025 marks the final year of the Chinese mainland’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025), everyday voices across cities and countryside paint a vivid picture of progress—and hopes for the next chapter. CGTN Digital journalist Pablo Chen hit the streets, capturing stories that show how policy translates into real-world impact.
Visible Gains in Daily Life
In a bustling market in Shanghai, shop owner Wang Li notes smoother logistics and rising foot traffic. 'Over the past five years, I’ve seen new transport links cut delivery time in half,' she says. Meanwhile, in rural Sichuan, farmer Zhang Hua highlights upgraded irrigation systems that promise higher crop yields and more stable incomes.
Aspirations for the Next Five Years
Across demographics, people share a common theme: building on this momentum. University student Amina from Guangzhou hopes for more green spaces and digital classrooms. 'I want to see cleaner air and smarter campuses,' she says. For Li Jun, a healthcare worker in Chengdu, the goal is simple. 'Better community clinics and faster services—our families deserve top-tier care.'
From upgraded infrastructure to better services, these firsthand accounts underline how the plan has shaped everyday life—and fuel optimism for the years ahead. As the Chinese mainland charts its next course, citizens everywhere are ready to voice their expectations and shape the path forward.
Reference(s):
Voxpop: How China continues to deliver a better life for people
cgtn.com
