Highlights of Xi's report to 19th CPC National Congress

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Xi Jinping, on behalf of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), delivered a report to the 19th CPC National Congress, which opened on Wednesday morning at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

The opening session began with the national anthem and the observation of a minute's silence in remembrance of late Party leaders and martyrs.

In his report titled "Secure a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and strive for the great success of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era," Xi highlighted the Party's achievements in the past five years and laid out future visions.

Achievements over the past five years

The country's GDP rose from 54 trillion yuan to 80 trillion yuan (12.1 trillion US dollars) over the past five years, Xi said, adding that over 60 million people were lifted out of poverty during the same period.

"In the past five years, we have implemented the five-sphere integrated plan and the four-pronged comprehensive strategy," he noted, adding that "on all fronts, new advances have been made for the cause of the Party and the country."

Socialism with Chinese characteristics in 'new era'

Thanks to decades of hard work, Xi said socialism with Chinese characteristics has crossed the threshold into a new era.

“This is a new historic juncture in China’s development,” he stated.

"The Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era builds on and further enriches Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents and the Scientific Outlook on Development," Xi said, calling on all Party members to develop a good grasp of the essence and rich implications of the Thought and faithfully apply it in all their works.

'Principal contradiction' evolves

The principal contradiction facing Chinese society has also evolved in the new era, Xi said.

"What we now face is the contradiction between unbalanced and inadequate development and the people's ever-growing needs for a better life," he said.

Two-stage development plan

A Fuxing bullet train traveling to Beijing from Shanghai. /Reuters Photo

Xi outlined a two-stage development plan for the period between 2020 and the middle of this century.

During the first stage, from 2020 to 2035, the CPC will build on the foundation created by the moderately prosperous society to ensure that socialist modernization is basically realized.

In the second stage, from 2035 to mid-21st century, the CPC will work hard to develop China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful.

Fight against corruption continues

Some of China’s “100 most wanted economic fugitives”. /File Photo

Xi called for a clean environment free of corruption.

The CPC will work for the adoption of national anti-corruption legislation and create a corruption reporting platform that covers both disciplinary inspection commissions and supervision agencies, he said.

"We will continue to see that there are no no-go zones, no ground is left unturned, and no tolerance is shown for corruption," Xi said.

China will never seek hegemony

On international relations and global governance, Xi reaffirmed China's commitment to strengthening friendship and cooperation with other countries, saying making new and greater contributions for mankind is the Party's abiding mission.

China will never seek hegemony or engage in expansion "no matter what stage of development it reaches," Xi stressed.

"China stands for democracy in international relations and the equality of all countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor," Xi said.

China’s socialist democracy 'the most effective'

Xi stressed that China’s socialist democracy is the broadest, most genuine and most effective democracy to safeguard the fundamental interests of the people.

“The essence of the people’s democracy is that the people get to discuss their own affairs,” Xi said, adding that the consultative democracy is an important way of effecting Party leadership.

The CPC will set up a central leading group for advancing law-based governance in all areas, according to the report.

To build a strong armed forces

Soldiers attend a military parade at Zhurihe military training base to mark the 90th birthday of the PLA, July 30, 2017./CGTN Photo

As China has reached a new historical starting point in strengthening national defense, Xi called for a powerful and modernized army, navy, air force, rocket force, and strategic support force in the new era.

He said the modernization of the national defense and the forces will be basically completed by 2035, adding that by the mid-21st century, the armed forces will be fully transformed into world-class forces.

The 19th CPC National Congress opens at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. /CGTN Photo

More than 2,300 delegates are attending the event.

The CPC National Congress will lay out a blueprint for the future of the Party and the country over the coming five years.

Stay tuned to CGTN for the latest news and updates on the event.

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