Recently, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council issued the “Notice on Matters Related to the New Year’s Day and Spring Festival Period in 2026.” The full text is as follows:

The year 2026 marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan. All regions and departments should be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and its plenary sessions, coordinate all tasks during the New Year’s Day and Spring Festival period, and ensure the people enjoy a joyful, peaceful, and harmonious holiday. With the approval of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council, the relevant matters are hereby notified as follows.

1. Care for the production and livelihood of people in difficulty. Party committees and governments at all levels should conscientiously carry out relief assistance, visits, and condolences, effectively solving practical problems for the people. Distribute relief funds fully and promptly according to regulations; areas with the capacity may issue relief funds in advance or provide additional one-time living subsidies. Strengthen temporary assistance, providing basic living guarantees to people facing sudden and urgent difficulties, and ensure proper winter-spring relief for disaster victims. Enhance visits, condolences, and care for special groups such as the elderly in difficulty, persons with disabilities, and children in distress. Carry out special relief actions like “Delivering Warmth in the Cold Winter.” Implement a winter campaign to address wage arrears, cracking down on illegal acts of withholding migrant workers’ wages according to law. Implement enterprise support policies to resolve issues of overdue payments. Provide employment assistance to those with employment difficulties. Strengthen the protection of labor rights and interests for flexible workers and new employment groups. Show care and concern for grassroots cadres and workers, especially those working in harsh conditions and on the front lines of urgent, difficult, and critical tasks. Conduct in-depth visits and condolences to Party members in difficulty, veteran Party members, retired veteran cadres, Red Army veterans, veterans of the War of Resistance Against Japan, veterans of the Chinese People’s Volunteers, demobilized veterans, retired military cadres, disabled military personnel, and families of martyrs and military personnel.

2. Ensure stable and orderly market supply. Make every effort to ensure the production and transportation of coal, electricity, oil, and gas, guaranteeing stable supply and pricing of energy for people’s livelihoods and ensuring the public stays warm during winter. Implement the joint responsibility of Party and government for food security and the mayor’s responsibility system for the “vegetable basket,” strengthen market monitoring and early warning, leverage the mechanism for ensuring smooth transportation and logistics, and ensure sufficient supply and stable prices of daily necessities such as grains, oils, meat, eggs, milk, fruits, and vegetables. Expand the supply of high-quality goods and services, innovate diverse consumption scenarios, and stimulate holiday consumption potential. Strengthen supervision of food safety in catering services and the quality and safety of agricultural products sold in markets, safeguarding “safety on the tip of the tongue.” Increase supervision over prices and charges in key livelihood areas such as catering, accommodation, and New Year goods, cracking down on illegal acts like price gouging and price fraud. Strengthen supervision of online transactions and regulate promotional activities. Keep complaint and reporting channels open, promptly accepting and handling consumer demands.

3. Enrich the spiritual and cultural life of the people. Carry out themed reporting activities like “New Year Visits to the Grassroots,” promoting the strong voice of the times and inspiring motivation for progress. Organize cultural performances such as Spring Festival galas, and carry out themed activities like “Celebrating the New Year Joyfully” and promotional events like “Intangible Cultural Heritage Celebrates the New Year · Savoring Chinese New Year.” Conduct activities such as “Our Chinese Dream—Culture Enters Ten Thousand Homes” and cultural, scientific, and health initiatives “Going to the Countryside,” providing high-quality cultural products to the grassroots. Carry out military-civilian共建 activities. Enrich tourism products, improve tourism quality and experience, and introduce a series of consumption惠民 measures. Strengthen跨部门 law enforcement cooperation to maintain order in the cultural and tourism markets.

4. Ensure safe and convenient travel for the public. Strengthen dynamic analysis of passenger flow, enhance transportation capacity in key areas, popular routes, and peak periods, coordinate春运 work, and maximize the satisfaction of public travel needs. Implement the policy of exempting tolls for small passenger vehicles during major holidays, strengthen road congestion management and smooth traffic flow, and improve service quality for charging, refueling, dining, and restroom facilities. Strengthen travel保障 for key passenger flows such as migrant workers, students, and tourists, strictly implementing依法优先优待 policies for key groups including military personnel, disabled military personnel in active service and retired, firefighters,

General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China

The General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China serves as the key administrative and operational body for the Party’s highest leadership, ensuring the implementation of decisions and daily operations. Historically, it has played a central role in coordinating Party affairs since the early years of the People’s Republic, adapting to the evolving needs of China’s governance and development under the Party’s leadership. It remains a vital institution in supporting the Party’s work and maintaining its organizational effectiveness.

General Office of the State Council

The General Office of the State Council is the administrative body that supports the work of the State Council, China’s highest executive organ of state power. It was established alongside the State Council under the 1954 Constitution, playing a central role in policy coordination, document drafting, and ensuring the implementation of government decisions.

15th Five-Year Plan

The “15th Five-Year Plan” is not a physical place or cultural site, but rather a key national economic and social development blueprint for the People’s Republic of China. It refers to the strategic roadmap guiding the country’s policies and goals for the period from 2026 to 2030, building upon the previous fourteen such plans initiated in 1953. Its history is part of China’s long-term centralized planning system aimed at modernizing the nation and achieving specific developmental milestones.

Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era

“Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era” is the guiding ideology of contemporary China, established as a key component of the Communist Party of China’s theoretical framework at its 19th National Congress in 2017. It represents a major theoretical innovation for the new era, providing the fundamental guidance for China’s development and rejuvenation on its path toward building a modern socialist country.

20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China

The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, held in Beijing in October 2022, was a significant political event where key policies and leadership for China’s future development were outlined. It reviewed the Party’s work since the previous congress and set strategic goals for building a modern socialist country in all respects.

War of Resistance Against Japan

The War of Resistance Against Japan (1937–1945) was a major conflict in which China fought against Japanese invasion, forming a crucial part of World War II. It began with the Marco Polo Bridge Incident and involved widespread resistance, ultimately ending with Japan’s surrender. This war is deeply remembered in China as a period of immense national sacrifice and unity in defense of sovereignty.

Chinese People’s Volunteers

The Chinese People’s Volunteers (CPV) refers to the military force deployed by China to aid North Korea during the Korean War (1950-1953). It represents a significant chapter in modern Chinese history, marking the country’s first major military engagement abroad following the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Today, the CPV is commemorated in China as a symbol of sacrifice and internationalism, with memorials and museums dedicated to its veterans and history.

Our Chinese Dream—Culture Enters Ten Thousand Homes

“Our Chinese Dream—Culture Enters Ten Thousand Homes” is a nationwide cultural promotion campaign in China, launched to enrich public cultural life by making artistic and educational resources more accessible to communities. It reflects the broader cultural policy goals of fostering social harmony and national pride through grassroots cultural activities.