Four things to watch for at the 19th CPC National Congress

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With just one month to go before the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), it was announced on Monday that the CPC is expected to amend its constitution at the quinquennial meeting.

The 19th CPC National Congress, expected to convene on October 18 in Beijing, will review the Party's work since 2012 and draw out guidelines and policies for the next five years. The new leadership of the CPC – China's ruling party – will also be unveiled at the congress.

Why is the meeting important and what are the things to watch?

Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, addresses the opening session of a workshop in preparation for the 19th National Congress of the CPC in Beijing, July 26, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Election of new CPC leadership

The CPC’s senior leadership is reshuffled at the Party's national congress every five years.

The upcoming congress, attended by 2,300 delegates, will elect approximately 200 members to the CPC Central Committee – the Party's highest authority. The new Central Committee will then elect members to the Political Bureau, the Political Bureau Standing Committee and the General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

At the last CPC National Congress in 2012, 25 people were elected to the Political Bureau. Among this group, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli were elected to the Standing Committee, and Xi was elected General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee (from left) Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli arrive to meet the press at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing after the 18th CPC National Congress, November 15, 2012. /Xinhua Photo

Members will also be elected to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

According to the Constitution of the CPC, members of the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee will be decided by the CPC Central Committee as well.

Future reform agenda

The congress will shape China's future until 2022.

It will be a key meeting at a crucial time for the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Xi said at a workshop attended by provincial and ministerial officials in late July, stressing that the meeting comes when China's endeavor to build a moderately prosperous society has entered the decisive stage.

Calling the past five years "extraordinary," Xi said China must accomplish this vision by 2020.

This target is the first of China's two centenary goals: becoming a moderately prosperous society in all respects by 2021, the year of the CPC’s 100th anniversary; and a modern socialist country that is "prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious" by 2049, the 100th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.

CGTN Graphic

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012 and the Third Plenary Session of 18th CPC Central Committee in 2013, China has implemented comprehensive reform in various areas including economy, finance, government functions, urbanization, innovation, ecological improvement and rule of law.

What significant and tough decisions will be made at the congress? Will the world second largest economy keep opening up?

Anti-corruption campaign

China's nationwide fight against corruption has gained momentum since 2012. Hundreds of senior officials have been investigated and about 1.14 million party members and cadres at or below township level have been punished.

The country has also been hunting down corrupt fugitives hiding overseas. By the end of May, China had captured 3,051 fugitives from more than 90 countries and regions through operations such as "Sky Net." By the end of July, it had arrested 43 people on the Interpol's red notice list.

CGTN Graphic

In his speech at the high-level workshop in July, Xi affirmed the accomplishments the Party has made in its self-governance since its 18th National Congress, but warned against complacency and blind optimism. He said the anti-corruption crackdown has purified the political environment, but the campaign still has a long way to go.

The tone-setting speech sent a signal that the anti-graft campaign would remain a top priority at the 19th National Congress and for the years ahead.

Changes to the CPC Constitution

One of the key functions of the CPC National Congress is to revise the Constitution of the Party.

On Monday, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee deliberated a draft amendment to the constitution at a meeting presided over by Xi. The amendments should include key theories and strategic thoughts to be delivered at the congress, a statement issued after the meeting said.

China has adopted an overall approach to promote economic, political, cultural, social and ecological progress since 2012. /Xinhua Photo

According to the statement, the amended constitution should fully represent the latest sinicization of Marxism, new governance concepts, thoughts and strategies of the CPC Central Committee since the last congress.

The CPC must carry on its tradition of keeping pace with the times and promote theoretical innovation on the basis of practice, Xi said in his speech in July.

It is not clear what theoretical innovation will feature in the amended constitution, but according to a previous meeting of Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on August 31, the 19th CPC National Congress will hold high the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, be guided with Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of "Three Represents" and the Scientific Outlook on Development, and thoroughly carry out the essence of Xi's series of important remarks and the new governance concepts, thoughts and strategies of the CPC Central Committee.

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