A decision of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on some major issues concerning how to uphold and improve the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and advance the modernization of China's system and capacity for governance was made public Tuesday. 
  
The decision was adopted at the fourth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, which was convened from October 28 to 31 in Beijing. 

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The decision noted that the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is a scientific system developed by the Party and the people through their long-term practices and explorations. 
  
All the work and activities of China's governance are carried out in accordance with the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, said the document, noting that the country's system and capacity for governance are the embodiment of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and its enforcement capability. 
  
Highlighting the two miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability in the past 70 years since the founding of New China, it pointed out that the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and China's system for governance are systems of strong vitality and huge strength as proven by practice. 
  
These systems are able to push for the continuous progress of the country with nearly 1.4 billion people and ensure the realization of the two centenary goals toward the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, which has a civilization of more than 5,000 years, it added. 
  
It summarized the notable strengths of China's state and governance systems in 13 aspects, and called for efforts to better turn institutional strength into effective governance. 
  
The upholding and improving the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and advancing the modernization of China's system and capacity for governance should be carried out under the guidance of Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, the Scientific Outlook on Development, and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. 
  
The decision vowed to see that institutions in all fields are notably improved when the CPC marks its centenary before the modernization of China's system and capacity for governance is basically achieved by 2035 and realized in full as New China celebrates its own centenary. 
  
It specified the following tasks and measures: 
  
-- Upholding and improving the system of institutions for Party leadership and improving the Party's capacity to practice scientific, democratic and law-based governance; 
  
-- Upholding and improving the system of institutions through which the people run the country and developing socialist democracy; 
  
-- Upholding and improving the system of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics and improving the Party's capacity for law-based governance and law-based exercising of state power; 
  
-- Upholding and improving the government administration system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. A law-based government administration with well-defined functions and duties shall be built; 
  
-- Upholding and improving China's basic socialist economic system and promoting the high-quality development of the economy; 
  
-- Upholding and improving the system to make advanced socialist culture prosperous and developed to consolidate the common ideological foundation upon which all people are united and work together; 
  
-- Upholding and improving the livelihood system for protecting both urban and rural residents and working to meet people's ever-increasing needs for a better life; 
  
-- Upholding and improving the social governance system based on collaboration, participation and common interests, as well as maintaining social stability and defending national security; 
  
-- Upholding and improving the system for developing an ecological civilization and promoting the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature; 
  
-- Upholding and improving the Party's absolute leadership over the armed forces and ensuring that they will faithfully fulfill their missions in the new era; 
  
-- Upholding and improving the system of "one country, two systems" and advancing the process toward the peaceful reunification of China; 
  
-- Upholding and improving the independent foreign policy of peace and working to build a community with a shared future for humanity; 
  
-- Upholding and improving the Party and state oversight systems and strengthening checks on and oversight over the exercise of power. 
  
Noting that upholding and improving the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and advancing the modernization of China's system and capacity for governance is an important strategic task for the Party, the document stressed that all the goals and tasks set by the session must be fully accomplished under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee. 
  
Party committees, governments and leading officials at all levels should conscientiously strengthen their awareness of the system, take the lead in safeguarding the authority of the system and set an example in implementing the system for the whole Party and the society, said the decision. 
  
The entire Party and Chinese people of all ethnic groups should rally closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, said the document. 
  
It also called for hard work to uphold and improve the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, advance the modernization of China's system and capacity for governance, achieve the two centenary goals and realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. 

An explanatory speech made by Xi Jinping on the CPC Central Committee's decision on some major issues concerning how to uphold and improve the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and advance the modernization of China's system and capacity for governance was made public Tuesday. 
  
Entrusted by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Xi, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, delivered the speech to the fourth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, which convened from October 28 to 31 in Beijing. 
  
The decision was adopted at the session. 
  
Xi explained the background and considerations for focusing on how to uphold and improve the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and advance the modernization of China's system and capacity for governance. 
  
"First, this is a major task for delivering on the two centenary goals," Xi said. 
  
With deepening reform and opening up, the Party has a stronger appreciation of institution building, Xi said, adding the CPC's 15th, 16th and 17th national congresses all put forward clear requirements on the subject. 
  
The Party has placed institution building in a more prominent position since the 18th CPC National Congress, Xi said, adding that the 19th CPC National Congress set the goals for the building of China's system and capacity for governance, with new strides made at the second and third plenary sessions of the 19th CPC Central Committee. 
  
"Second, this is the fundamental requirement for advancing reform and opening up in the new era," Xi said. 
  
The third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee rolled out 336 major reform measures. Notable achievements were made in key areas in the more than five years that followed, with fundamental institutions in major fields basically formed. 
  
Speaking of deepening overall reform in the new era, Xi said the building of systems and capacity for governance must be put into a more prominent position, and institutional reform in all areas must be further deepened. 
  
"Third, this is a strong guarantee for the country's response to risks and challenges and taking initiatives," Xi said. 
  
In a world undergoing changes unseen in a century, the risks and challenges that the country is facing are more severe than ever, Xi said. 
  
The impact of the risks and challenges must be dealt with using the power of the system, Xi noted. 
  
He further elaborated on the process of drafting. 
  
He said a consensus was reached during the drafting that it was of great and far-reaching significance for the fourth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee to focus on the topic of system and governance and made a decision on it, at a time the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China is celebrated. 
  
In more than six months, the drafting group discussed and revised the draft decision on multiple occasions. In September, opinions on the draft were solicited both within and outside the Party. 
  
A total of 1,755 pieces of advice on the revision to the draft decision were put forward to the drafting group, according to Xi. 
  
Xi said the document has been highly acknowledged. 
  
It answered the important question of "what to uphold and strengthen and what to improve and develop," Xi said, adding that it will have a big impact on improving institutions in all fields and turning China's institutional strength into effective governance. 
  
The CPC Central Committee instructed the drafting group to research and take into consideration the opinions and suggestions solicited. 
  
Xi also explained the outline of the document, which is divided into three parts containing 15 chapters. 
  
The first part, which serves as an overview, states the historic achievements and notable strengths of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, as well as the significance and general requirements for upholding and improving the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and advancing the modernization of China's system and capacity for governance. 
  
The second part, containing 13 chapters, elaborates on the different aspects of the fundamental, basic and important institutions that underpin the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. 
  
The third part, which includes a conclusion, states the requirements for Party leadership over upholding and improving the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and advancing the modernization of China's system and capacity for governance, Xi said.