The fourth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), scheduled from October 28 to 31 in Beijing, will not only discuss how to improve the socialist system with Chinese characteristics but also draw a blueprint for the modernization of the country's governance capacity. 

Before the curtain rises, CGTN analyzed the most frequently asked questions below.   

What are the plenary sessions? 

The plenary sessions refer to a meeting system for the CPC Central Committee to make significant decisions for the direction of the Party and the country.

The National Congress of the CPC, which serves a five-year term, elects its central committee, which serves as the highest authority of the Party when its national congress is not in session. 

The central committee convenes at least one plenary session each year, as stated in the Party Constitution. Since the 14th CPC National Congress in 1992, each committee has held seven sessions during its five-year term. 

Why do the sessions matter? 

The sessions are a key step in realizing the ambitious blueprint drawn up by the CPC National Congress.

The 19th CPC Central Committee held its first plenary session on October 25, 2017, at the occasion of which the new Political Bureau and the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau were elected. 

Many significant arrangements involving turning points in the country's development have been made at third plenary sessions. For example, the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee in 1978 unveiled the country's plan for reform and opening-up.

Fourth plenary sessions, usually a year after the third, serve as a link between sessions, usually carrying out the decisions made at the third sessions and discussing mechanisms to help achieve the goals of the five-year term.

What is the focus of the fourth session? 

This year's key Party meeting will study several important issues on upholding and improving the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics as well as promoting the modernization of the national governance system, according to a statement released after a CPC Central Committee Political Bureau meeting on October 24. 

As at other plenary sessions of the CPC Central Committee, members will also hear a work report of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee since the previous plenary meeting in February 2018.

Topics of the past three fourth plenary sessions focused on building the Party's governance capacity, anti-corruption issues within the Party and the development of the rule of law. 

What have the first, second and third sessions achieved? 

The 19th CPC Central Committee held its first plenary session on October 25, 2017 and elected Xi Jinping as general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

Taking place on January 18-19, 2018, the second session proposed lists of officials for the administrative branches of government and deliberation on amendments to China's Constitution.

And the third session concluded on February 28, 2018 in Beijing, announcing that it had reviewed and adopted a structural reform plan of the Party and state institutions by the CPC Central Committee.