19th CPC National Congress concludes

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The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) elected the 204 members of the new Central Committee before it concluded on Tuesday in Beijing.

Over 2,200 Party delegates also elected alternate members of the CPC Central Committee and a new Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI).

Xi Jinping presided over the closing session.

On the last day of the week-long Congress, delegates reviewed and passed resolutions on the report of the previous Central Committee and a work report of the previous CCDI.

Xinhua Photo

Review of the report of the 18th CPC Central Committee

Congress delegates said China has made remarkable changes in the past five years, and the country has entered a new era, embarking on a new journey in building socialism with Chinese Characteristics.

The Congress called on Party members and Chinese people to achieve the Chinese Dream: The long-term goal for the country's development, envisioning China as a “modernized socialist country” by 2035 and a country that is "prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful" by 2050.

The Congress stressed China now faces the "new contradiction" between unbalanced and inadequate development and people's ever-growing needs for a better life.

CGTN's commentator Robert L. Kuhn reported from outside the Great Hall of People during the closing session that the "new contradiction" Xi outlined means China's growth has shifted from quantity to quality needs, and from "economic development" to the current principal contradiction.

Kuhn argued that the shift affects China's political landscape. To address the new principal contradiction, it is necessary to shift the political policies to adapt to the new conditions, Kuhn said.

Review of CCDI's work

The Congress said the anti-corruption campaign has gained a crushing momentum in the past five years and will continue to pursue the drive against graft.

Xinhua Photo

The CCDI's work report reaffirmed the Party's zero-tolerance towards corruption.

It urged central and local commissions for discipline inspection to remain true to the Party's original aspiration and keep the Party's mission firmly in mind, work toward a fundamental improvement in the political ecosystem of the Party, with the focus on its leadership, capacity building, full and strict self-governance, conduct and integrity and anti-corruption endeavor, said the resolution.

They were asked to fulfill their duties to exercise oversight, enforce discipline and ensure accountability as required by the Party Constitution, it added.

Xi Jinping Thought inducted in Party Constitution

Delegates at the 19th CPC National Congress also approved an amendment to the CPC Constitution, which enshrined "Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era" as part of the Party's guide to action.

It is the latest achievement at a time the Party is adapting Marxism to China's conditions.

Amendments also include:

- The Party must "make comprehensive efforts" to ensure that "the fight against corruption keeps going".

- Xi Jinping's military thinking and the Party's "absolute" leadership over the armed forces

- Achieve shared growth through discussion and collaboration, and pursuing the Belt and Road Initiative.

While China has become a middle income country with 8,000 US dollars per capita GDP, it is facing economic and social transitions. To avoid the dynamics, Zhang Jianping, a researcher from Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, said the Party has to make clear of the path and priority of the future and the amended Constitution is the beacon.

What happens after the closing session?

On Wednesday morning, the newly-elected CPC Central Committee will elect the members of the Political Bureau, the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau and the General Secretary at its first plenary session.

The top leaders from the Political Bureau will then make their debut before the press scheduled at just before noon.