Tackling inequality in China will be slow and complex

Significance

The latter was declared complete in time for the Party's centenary this year, in line with political requirements. Whether 'common prosperity' represents a genuine shift or largely continues poverty alleviation under a different name is not yet clear.

Impacts

• Evidence of a firmer commitment to addressing inequality may emerge at the Party Plenum later this year and the Party Congress next year.
• Urban-rural inequality remains high, making urbanisation and rural development directly relevant to common prosperity.
• Philanthropy may become more prominent, but there will not be more space for international NGOs.