What can we expect from the Third Plenum?

Expectations that detailed new policies will be unveiled at the upcoming Third Plenum are likely to be disappointed. But the key gauge of success should instead be whether the leadership presents a coherent and comprehensive plan for economic restructuring that can provide clear direction to Party and government officials over the years ahead. By contrast, a piecemeal approach would signal that the leadership has been unable to agree on a framework for how reform should progress.