On the Plan | AIA CIO says China's 15th Five-Year Plan 'very encouraging'

China's 15th Five-Year Plan is "very encouraging" as it places strong emphasis on high-quality growth, sustainable development and people's well-being, said Mark Konyn, chief investment officer of AIA Group, in an exclusive interview with People's Daily Online at the China Development Forum 2026 in Beijing on March 22. He noted that innovation and sustainability had been identified as key pillars for driving the economy forward.

Konyn also highlighted China's global role, saying the country is playing a major part in supporting the world economy and global growth. Against a backdrop of geopolitical conflicts, he said the key message he took away was one of collaboration, cooperation and healthy competition that could make everyone better off.

"So clearly we're very positive about the outlook for the Chinese economy," he said, adding that the 15th Five-Year Plan had set out the framework for how the group would invest over the long term. He stressed that AIA remains deeply committed to the Chinese market.