China's overall economic construction objectives were clearly stated in the Three Step Development  Strategy set out in  1987:  

Step One--to double the 1980 GNP and ensure that the people have enough food and clothing -- was attained by the end of the 1980s;

Step Two--to quadruple the 1980 GNP by the end of the 20th century --was achieved in 1995 ahead of schedule;

Step Three--to increase per-capita GNP to the level of the medium-developed countries by the mid-21st century--at which point, the Chinese people will be fairly well-off and modernization will be basically realized.