CPC congress report was a team effort

The report presented to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China was a team effort, harnessing suggestions from CPC members nationwide, and undergoing multiple revisions. It was delivered by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, over nearly three and a half hours at the opening of the Party congress on Oct 18 and indicated the direction of China’s future development.

The report was drafted under the guidance of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, with Xi heading the draft team. In January, he announced the drafting team and called for the “correct thinking method, scientific analysis of the domestic and international situation, and profound study of the development of the Party and the country.”

He said the drafting should follow such principles as “cor- rect political direction, emancipating the mind, keeping abreast of the times, upholding strategic thinking, and proceeding from reality”.

This summer, Xi asked the draft team to objectively summarize CPC development and theoretical and practical innovations.

He reiterated efforts “in new thoughts and measures and making scientific and accurate conclusions based on history and reality, theories and practices, and domestic and international situations”.

In mid-July, Xi presided over two meetings of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and one of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to review the draft.

In February, the drafting team dispatched groups to conduct research and investigations on 60 symposiums nationwide, and to the end of March, 80 study groups conducted more than 1,500 symposiums and seminars at 1,817 grassroots units.

With over 21,000 people taking part in the discussions, 80 research reports were completed.

Sixty-five papers by 25 Chinese think tanks also contributed.

On Aug 30, Xi presided over a symposium and listened to opinions from central committees of nonCommunist parties, heads of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and people without party affiliations.

At the congress, Xi joined a panel discussion with delegates from Guizhou province on Oct 19, talking with delegates, taking notes and listening to their opinions on the report.

Xi said that the report has pointed out the direction for the cause of the Party and the country, and it is also the guideline for the Party to unite and lead people of all ethnic groups to adhere to and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

The report underwent two rounds of discussions by delegates and nonvoting delegates during the congress and was revised accordingly.

It resonates strongly inside and outside the Party and at home and abroad.

It was passed at the congress on Tuesday.