The concept of a “harmonious society” has also been incorporated in the PRC’s
Twelfth Five Year Plan which covers the period 2011–2015. In October 2010, the
Central Committee of the Communist Party approved the guiding principles of
the plan and it was approved by the National People’s Congress in March 2011.
According to President Hu Jintao, an important feature of the new development
plan is the concept of “inclusive growth,” acknowledging that the country’s rapid
growth during the past 30 years has lifted millions of its people out of poverty, but
resulted in the issue of increasing income and wealth disparity. The new development
plan also emphasizes “higher quality growth,” acknowledging the question
of sustainability as the PRC grapples with challenges such as pollution, intensive
energy use, and resource depletion.