Core Insights - The article discusses China's economic outlook and key macro themes for the upcoming "15th Five-Year Plan" (2026-2030), highlighting the importance of nominal GDP growth and various strategic focuses for sustainable economic development [5][6]. Group 1: Economic Growth Targets - China is expected to achieve most of the goals set in the "14th Five-Year Plan" by the end of 2025, with an implicit GDP growth target of 5.0-5.5% for the current plan and a potential slight reduction to 4.5-5.0% for the upcoming plan [5][6]. - The nominal GDP growth is crucial for achieving long-term goals, including raising per capita GDP to $14,000 by 2025 and doubling the actual GDP size compared to 2020 [5][6]. Group 2: High-Quality Growth and Innovation - The focus on "high-quality growth" and "new productivity" driven by innovation and total factor productivity growth is expected to be a primary task for the next decade [7]. - R&D spending is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate exceeding 7%, increasing its share of GDP from 2.7% in 2024 to 3.2% by 2030 [7]. Group 3: Consumption and Domestic Demand - The "15th Five-Year Plan" is anticipated to place greater emphasis on boosting consumption to achieve more sustainable and balanced economic growth [8]. - Potential measures include increasing household income, enhancing social security systems, and improving the quality of consumption, with a goal to raise consumption's share of GDP from 56.6% in 2024 to 58-60% by 2030 [8]. Group 4: Social Investment and Welfare - The government is expected to reiterate the theme of "investing in people," focusing on new urbanization, vocational training, and increased fiscal spending on education, healthcare, and social security [9]. Group 5: Market Integration and Anti-Competition Measures - The new plan may enhance policies against "involution" and promote the establishment of a "national unified market," aiming to curb disorderly local government investments and stimulate local consumption [10]. Group 6: Opening Up and Global Integration - The "15th Five-Year Plan" is likely to further open up the service sector to foreign investment, particularly in telecommunications, healthcare, and finance [11]. - There will be increased policy support for Chinese companies to expand globally, especially in competitive emerging industries like new energy vehicles and e-commerce [11]. Group 7: Carbon Emission Reduction Goals - The new plan may set ambitious carbon emission reduction targets, aiming for a 24% decrease in carbon emissions per unit of GDP from 2026 to 2030 [12]. - It is expected to establish a target for non-fossil energy to account for 25% of total energy consumption by 2030, up from approximately 20% in 2024 [12]. Group 8: Fiscal and Tax Reforms - The government is likely to accelerate fiscal reforms, including the introduction of more direct taxes and adjustments to the distribution of tax revenues between central and local governments [13][14]. - Proposed reforms may include shifting consumption tax collection from production to consumption and creating a new "local additional tax" to allow local governments to set their own rates [14].

Tax Policy Changes - The Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration announced that from August 8, 2025, interest income from newly issued government bonds, local government bonds, and financial bonds will be subject to VAT[3] - Interest income from bonds issued before this date will continue to be exempt from VAT until maturity[3] Estimated Tax Revenue - The estimated VAT revenue from interest income for the year is approximately 14.4 billion RMB[6] - Assuming 15 trillion RMB in new bond issuance from August to December 2025 at an average coupon rate of 1.75%, the taxable interest amount is estimated to be around 262.5 billion RMB, leading to a VAT revenue of about 14.4 billion RMB[6] Impact on Bond Yields - The introduction of VAT on new bonds is expected to push up the issuance yields, with a potential increase of 6-10 basis points for new 10-year bonds[13] - The tax burden will be shared between investors and issuers, limiting the actual increase in yields[13] Market Dynamics - Following the announcement, the yield on 10-year government bonds initially rose but then fell by 1 basis point, indicating strong buying interest in existing bonds[14] - The tax changes may narrow the yield gap between government bonds and credit bonds, potentially shifting some investment towards the credit bond market[14] Fiscal Policy Objectives - The tax reform aims to enhance fiscal revenue capacity and alleviate fiscal pressure, as the government debt-to-GDP ratio has risen significantly from 37.9% in 2019 to 65.3% in Q2 2023[18] - The reform is part of a broader effort to streamline the tax system and remove outdated tax exemptions, promoting a more modern tax structure[18]