The process of drafting the report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has demonstrated the Party's insistence on hearing the people, taking advice from the people and reflecting the common wishes of the people as its purpose is to answer important questions concerning China's future.

With a word count of over 30,000 Chinese characters, the report contains three chapters, 15 sections and some 300 new ideas. Many are now familiar with the report's content, but how exactly was it made?

Read more: Full text of the report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China

Democracy must be given full play. Investigation and research must be strengthened; opinions must be sought widely, and wisdom from across the society must be collected, Xi Jinping said at the very beginning of the months-long process.

The theme of the report must not only be in the same vein as the reports to the 18th and the 19th CPC National Congresses, but it must also reflect the new requirements for the new era, the new journey and the new stage, Xi said, adding that it must seize the historical position of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the central task of building a modern socialist country in all respects, the goal of realizing national rejuvenation and the spirit of struggle and unity.

In late January, the Party's Central Committee issued a notice to all CPC branches, directing them to discuss and offer insights on the report's topics. In the meantime, opinions were also sought from people outside the Party.

In mid-February, a drafting group was created, signaling the official launch of the drafting work.

Study and research

Under the command of the CPC Central Committee, 54 work units were assigned key research tasks. They researched 26 topics and produced 80 reports with a total of 1.327 million words.

In an in-depth study that lasted three months, 64 research groups went to various provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities to conduct field research in 179 batches. Twenty-five research groups conducted written research on 465 units, and 10 research groups commissioned 252 units to conduct special research. Cumulatively, the research groups held a total of 1,501 symposiums and 18 video symposiums, with a total attendance of more than 19,000. Other than that, the groups also conducted 1,847 interviews.

Online opinions

Online opinions were collected from mid-April to mid-May. It was the first time the CPC solicited opinions on work related to the CPC National Congress from the public. 

This was realized in accordance with Xi's instructions. Prior to the project's launch, he had personally reviewed relevant work arrangements, made specific assignments and charted a clear course for the undertaking.

Netizens from across society responded actively to the project, submitting over 8.5 million comments featuring advice on topics such as achieving carbon neutrality, promoting the development of high-quality education and perfecting the mechanism of poverty alleviation. 

After being rigorously combed through and summarized, the submissions were condensed into 1,675 pieces of constructive, representative advice, which were then issued to teams tasked with drafting respective sections for reference.

Frank discussions

Frank discussions among CPC cadres were encouraged. Xi chaired five symposiums from early June to late August, listening to the Party cadres in charge of 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, as well as major units of the People's Liberation Army and relevant departments of the Central Military Commission.

Written opinions

By early September, 108 departments had submitted written opinions based on consultation with more than 4,700 people. Meanwhile, people outside the Party had submitted 10 written files.

Departments across China put forward a total of 1,570 revision opinions. Among the 1,435 non-repeated opinions, 173 were principal amendment opinions, and 1,262 were specific amendment opinions.

Revisions and delivery

Up until the seventh plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, the drafting group had made 260 revisions based on 269 opinions. 

Improvements and revisions were again made to the draft report after the drafting group heard opinions from members of the seventh plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee that began on October 9.

On October 16, at the opening session of the 20th National Congress of the CPC, copies of the report were presented to over 2,300 delegates and specially invited delegates.

(Cover: CPC officials listen to what people have to say about the anti-corruption work mentioned in the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, October 20, 2022. /CFP)