Premier Li Qiang Concludes Guangdong Inspection, Emphasizing Innovation and 15th Five-Year Plan Preparations

Premier Li Qiang Concludes Guangdong Inspection

Chinese Premier Li Qiang concluded a three-day inspection tour of Guangdong Province from January 3 to January 5, 2026. During his visit, the Premier underscored the critical importance of innovation-driven development, further reform and opening-up, and laying a solid foundation for the nation's upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).

Li Qiang urged Guangdong, a key economic powerhouse in southern China, to maintain its leading role in national economic development by strengthening its advantages in innovation and spearheading reform efforts.

Focus on Innovation and High-Quality Development

A central theme of Premier Li's inspection was the emphasis on technological innovation as 'key to winning the future'. He called for reinforcing the principal role of enterprises in innovation and enhancing support through policy, funding, and talent development. The Premier highlighted the strategic importance of leveraging the strengths of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to gather innovative resources and achieve breakthroughs in emerging fields and core technologies.

During his visit to Shenzhen, Li Qiang was briefed on the progress of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone. He also toured the Shekou Cruise Homeport, a helicopter base, and the Robot Valley, a robotics innovation hub, to gain insights into the development of China's low-altitude economy. The Premier stressed that 'the vitality of science and technology lies in their application', advocating for improved industrial ecosystems, expanded application scenarios, effective business models, and accelerated upgrading of new technologies.

Deepening Reform and Preparing for the 15th Five-Year Plan

In addition to innovation, Premier Li emphasized the need for Guangdong to deepen reform and opening-up. He called for expanding high-standard opening-up, better integrating infrastructure connectivity with rules and standards connectivity, and coordinating the planning and construction of major projects. In Foshan City, Li Qiang visited the Foshan International Land Port to understand cross-border e-commerce and bonded logistics operations. He also inspected the facilities of major home appliance manufacturer Midea and the new energy vehicle exhibition of BYD Company.

The Premier urged Guangdong to take 'timely and decisive actions to ensure a strong start to the nation's 15th five-year planning period (2026–2030)'. He encouraged enterprises to 'seize the opportunity and drive bold innovation to inject strong momentum into the economy's steady and improving trajectory'. Li Qiang also called for studying new consumer demands arising from economic development and improved living standards, accelerating the research and development of high-quality products, and fostering a virtuous cycle between demand and supply.