The 13th Five-Year Plan sets a target of ‘maintaining medium to high growth,’ and highlights the ideas of innovation, coordination, green development, and opening up to fulfill its goals. Premier Li Keqiang noted in an article he wrote that the new plan’s 5-year period will be crucial for China to build a moderately prosperous society in all aspects. And he explained specific ways to achieve that well-off society.

A society in which all people lead a fairly comfortable life.

The term “well-off society” was first used in the 1970s by late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, the “chief architect” of China’s reform and opening-up drive.

In economic terms, that means the GDP and per capita income of urban and rural residents will need to be doubled by 2020, compared with that of 2010. And, as Premier Li Keqiang calculated, a growth of $17 trillion will be needed.

To achieve that, China must maintain a 6.5 percent annual growth during the 13th five-year period. This will require a transformation in the development mode, an increase in domestic demand, and the support of innovation-based startups.

As Premier Li pointed out, a well-off society also means raising the living standards of people. That calls for more efforts to improve employment, medical services, and living conditions, and to root out poverty.

The plan’s goals also cater to people’s rising cultural demands. Efforts will be made to foster core socialist values like civility, freedom, equality, and the rule of law.

In addition, a tiered and multi-channel cultural system will be developed to improve China’s soft power. Premier Li also expressed the need to improve the environment with green development.

This requires efforts to improve energy efficiency, conserve water resources, and reduce carbon emissions. China also aims to deepen reforms, expand its opening up, and improve its management system.

All of this will contribute to the realization of a fairly comfortable life for all.