China redefining success: No more obsession with GDP – time for the well-being of citizens

In China, a five-month educational run for organization staff was launched, which aims to fundamentally change the way they measure their work. Beijing moves distant from its long-term obsession with GDP growth as the main measurement of success. Instead, the fresh precedence is to be “quality development”, measured by the well-being of citizens, occupation stableness and sustainable development.

This change, implemented just before the key “Two Sessions” and the launch of the 15th five-year plan, signals a deep recalibration of the Chinese improvement model and can affect the careers of thousands of officials.

The campaign, initiated by the General Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist organization of China (KPC), aims to instill “a correct knowing of results” among officials.

As both Hong Kong media (South China Morning Post) and state media (China Daily, Xinhua) report, this is simply a direct consequence to the negative effects of the multi-annual “GDP chase”. This model, although it elevated China to the position of the second planet economy, besides led to:

• huge debts of local governments,
• the creation of unnecessary “image projects” and
• falsifying data, which caused increasing social frustration.

From “mistake” to “correct” knowing of results

The central component of the run is redefining what constitutes the success of an official. In Xinhua's article, widely cited by president Xi Jinping, “misconceptions on political accomplishments” are branded, resulting from “personal or group interests, shortsightedness, desire for fast success, fraud and reckless action”. The consequence of these attitudes is “image projects” and “projects for show” which leave behind “hidden threats and strong public aversion”.

The new, “correct” approach is to focus on people. As China regular emphasizes, recalling Gu Wenchang's historical example – an authoritative from the 1950s who, alternatively of carrying out spectacular projects, over the years afforested a barren island –

The real measurement of success is not “the rewards of gold and silver, but the designation of men”.

In practice, this means that indicators specified as population income growth, public service quality, employment stableness and environmental protection will now be more crucial erstwhile assessing staff.

Political context and first implementation

The run is not random. It begins at a crucial minute – just before the yearly “Two Sessions” on which the 15th five-year plan (2026-2030) is to be approved, and on the eve of the cycle of personnel changes in local and provincial power structures that will precede the 20th legislature of the organization in 2027. As the Malaysian paper The Star notes, the run aims to guarantee that fresh economical plans are implemented in a “more realistic” way and consistent with the fresh improvement philosophy.

The first provinces are already responding to fresh guidelines. According to South China Morning Post,

the authorities in Zhejiang, 1 of the richest provinces of China, informed their officials that the increase in residents' income and the quality of public services would be of greater importance in their yearly assessments.

This is simply a concrete example of how the abstract directive translates into practice.

Skepticism and Challenges

Despite the authoritative momentum of the campaign, any analysts stay skeptical. An anonymous Beijing politician, quoted by SCMP, asks the key question: “What should officials do if GDP growth targets are not completely abolished?”. Changing the mentality rooted in decades is simply a immense challenge. There is simply a fear that without clear, alternate and measurable indicators, many officials may fall into decision-making paralysis, fearing to take any action that could be considered “incorrect”.

Nevertheless, the determination that Beijing is taking to this improvement suggests that it is not just a cosmetic change. Engagement in the run of leading figures in the party, specified as the head of the Cai Qi ideology and Li Xi's anti-corruption chief, demonstrates its advanced rank.

China, after decades of unprecedented growth, seems to realize that its old model is exhausted. Now begins the hard process of redefining success – from the figures in the tables to the real improvement of the quality of life of 1.4 billion citizens.

Source:

• South China Morning Post, “China shifts cadre-appraisal metrics distant from pure GDP growth, reset mindsets”, 27 February 2026.
• The Star, “Why is the Communist organization of China informing cadres about their performance?”, March 2, 2026.
• China Daily, “Tangible boons for people hailed as key”, 28 February 2026.
• table.media, “Cadre assessments: Xi calls for more loyalty and sustainability”, March 1, 2026.

Leszek B. Glass

Email: [email protected]