Three-step development strategy

The three-step strategy developed gradually after the third plenary session of the 11th CPC Central Committee, on the basis of the experience of the Chinese people in pursuing socialist modernization under the leadership of the CPC. Unveiled at the 13th CPC National Congress in October 1987, the strategy envisaged three steps for economic development. It drew upon the concept of the preliminary stage of socialism and Deng Xiaoping’s strategic conclusions on development reached since 1985, and built on the economic development strategy adopted at the 12th CPC National Congress. The underlying assumption was that the major challenge in the preliminary stage of socialism was how to address the inadequate level of development and to satisfy the people’s growing material and cultural needs. Aimed at raising the level of development to improve the people’s wellbeing, the strategy outlined specific targets for each of the three steps.

First, the years from 1981 to the end of the 1980s would see the doubling of the 1980 GDP, thus meeting the most basic needs of the people. Second, GDP would be doubled again between 1991 and the end of the 20th century, enabling the people to enjoy a “moderately prosperous” life. Third, with the process of modernization basically completed, per capita GDP was expected to reach the level of a moderately developed country by the mid-21st century, further improving the people’s wellbeing.

The three-step strategy for economic development combined a forward-looking vision for building a prosperous China with prudent and careful planning. As a major document guiding the CPC in its search for ways to develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, it showed not only the courage and ambition of the Party and the Chinese people but also a pragmatic approach rooted in a deep understanding of the existing conditions. The strategy provided guidance for China’s economic development in the preliminary stage of socialism, on the basis of a careful analysis of the realities during this period of time and what could be done to drive economic development. It clarified our historic mission and goal of economic development, which remain relevant to what the Party, the government and the people are pursuing in a new era.

In order to meet the targets specified in the three-step strategy, further reform and greater openness are imperative. Reform injects dynamism into the economy, inspiring the people to create more wealth. Greater openness allows more competition over projects, financial resources, technology, talent, and market share. Essential to successful implementation of this strategy is improving the ability of political and business leaders to manage change in our modernization process.

“三步走”發展戰略

“三步走”發展戰略是十一屆三中全會以來，在中國共產黨領導全國人民進行社會主義現代化建設的實踐中逐步形成的。1987年10月召開的黨的十三大從社會主義初級階段理論出發，結合鄧小平1985年以來經過反復思考后得出的發展戰略結論，將黨的十二大提出的經濟發展戰略部署作了進一步豐富和發展，確定了經濟建設分“三步走”的發展戰略部署。它以社會主義初級階段的主要矛盾，即人民日益增長的物質文化需要同落后的社會生產之間的矛盾演化為線索，以社會生產的發展水平和相應的人民生活水平為標志，來劃分經濟建設的戰略步驟并確定每一步所要達到的目標。

“三步走”的具體目標為：第一步，1981年到20世紀80年代末，實現國民生產總值比1980年翻一番，解決人民的溫飽問題；第二步，1991年到20世紀末，使國民生產總值再增長一倍，人民生活達到小康水平；第三步，到21世紀中葉，人均國民生產總值達到中等發達國家水平，人民生活比較富裕，基本實現現代化。

“三步走”經濟發展戰略，對中華民族百年圖強的宏偉目標做了積極而穩妥的規劃，既體現了黨和人民勇于進取的雄心壯志，又反映了從實際出發、遵循客觀規律的科學精神，是中國共產黨探索中國特色社會主義建設規律的重大成果。“三步走”經濟發展戰略是中國社會主義初級階段建設的經濟綱領，它從中國社會主義初級階段基本國情和經濟發展內在規律出發，進一步明確了中國經濟建設的歷史任務和奮斗目標，成為新時期黨和政府及全國各族人民奮斗的總目標。

實現“三步走”戰略目標有兩條基本途徑——深化改革和擴大開放。改革突出一個“活”字，激發全社會創造財富的活力；開放突出一個“爭”字，爭項目、爭資金、爭技術、爭人才、爭市場。實現“三步走”戰略目標的一個根本保證是提高領導現代化建設的能力和水平。