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”发展战略
“三步走”发展战略是十一届三中全会以来，在中国共产党领导全国人民进行社会主义现代化建设的实践中逐步形成的。1987年10月召开的党的十三大从社会主义初级阶段理论出发，结合邓小平1985年以来经过反复思考后得出的发展战略结论，将党的十二大提出的经济发展战略部署作了进一步丰富和发展，确定了经济建设分“三步走”的发展战略部署。它以社会主义初级阶段的主要矛盾，即人民日益增长的物质文化需要同落后的社会生产之间的矛盾演化为线索，以社会生产的发展水平和相应的人民生活水平为标志，来划分经济建设的战略步骤并确定每一步所要达到的目标。
“三步走”的具体目标为：第一步，1981年到20世纪80年代末，实现国民生产总值比1980年翻一番，解决人民的温饱问题；第二步，1991年到20世纪末，使国民生产总值再增长一倍，人民生活达到小康水平；第三步，到21世纪中叶，人均国民生产总值达到中等发达国家水平，人民生活比较富裕，基本实现现代化。
“三步走”经济发展战略，对中华民族百年图强的宏伟目标做了积极而稳妥的规划，既体现了党和人民勇于进取的雄心壮志，又反映了从实际出发、遵循客观规律的科学精神，是中国共产党探索中国特色社会主义建设规律的重大成果。“三步走”经济发展战略是中国社会主义初级阶段建设的经济纲领，它从中国社会主义初级阶段基本国情和经济发展内在规律出发，进一步明确了中国经济建设的历史任务和奋斗目标，成为新时期党和政府及全国各族人民奋斗的总目标。
实现“三步走”战略目标有两条基本途径——深化改革和扩大开放。改革突出一个“活”字，激发全社会创造财富的活力；开放突出一个“争”字，争项目、争资金、争技术、争人才、争市场。实现“三步走”战略目标的一个根本保证是提高领导现代化建设的能力和水平。