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Speakers:

Mr. Mu Hong, a member of the leading Party members group of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), vice chairperson of the 14th CPPCC National Committee, and deputy director in charge of routine work of the Office of the Central Commission for Comprehensively Deepening Reform

Mr. Han Wenxiu, deputy director in charge of routine work of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs and director of the Office of the Central Rural Work Leading Group

Mr. Shen Chunyao, director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee

Mr. Huai Jinpeng, secretary of the leading Party members group of the Ministry of Education and minister of education

Mr. Tang Fangyu, deputy director (ministerial level) of the Policy Research Office of the Central Committee of the CPC

Chairperson:

Mr. Mo Gaoyi, deputy director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and minister of the State Council Information Office of China

Date:

July 19, 2024

Mo Gaoyi:

Ladies and gentlemen, comrades, friends from the media, good morning. Welcome to this press conference held by the Central Committee of the CPC.

The 20th CPC Central Committee convened its third plenary session in Beijing from July 15 to 18. The session is significant as the CPC, unswervingly holding high the banner of reform and opening up, further deepens reform comprehensively with a view to advancing Chinese modernization on the new journey of the new era. All agenda items were successfully completed, and the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization was considered and adopted. Today, we have invited leading officials from relevant departments to brief you on the session's guiding principles and answer your questions.

Today, we have here with us:

Mr. Mu Hong, a member of the leading Party members group of the 14th CPPCC National Committee, vice chairperson of the 14th CPPCC National Committee, and deputy director in charge of routine work of the Office of the Central Commission for Comprehensively Deepening Reform;

Mr. Han Wenxiu, deputy director in charge of routine work of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs and director of the Office of the Central Rural Work Leading Group;

Mr. Shen Chunyao, director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee;

Mr. Huai Jinpeng, secretary of the leading Party members group of the Ministry of Education and minister of education;

and Mr. Tang Fangyu, deputy director (ministerial level) of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee.

Now, I'll give the floor to Mr. Tang Fangyu, who will provide an overview of the session, its theme and the drafting work of related documents.

Tang Fangyu:

Good morning, everyone. I am pleased to brief you about the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee.

As you know, the 20th CPC Central Committee convened its third plenary session in Beijing from July 15 to 18. The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee presided over the meeting. General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered important addresses. Members and alternate members of the Central Committee attended the session. Members of the Standing Committee of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and leading officials from other relevant departments were present at the meeting in a non-voting capacity. Some of our colleagues working at the primary level and a number of experts and scholars who were delegates to the 20th National Party Congress also attended the meeting in a non-voting capacity. At the session, the Central Committee heard and discussed a report on the work of the Political Bureau, presented by Xi Jinping on behalf of the Political Bureau, and considered and adopted the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization. All the agenda items of the session were successfully completed.

At the session, the Central Committee fully affirmed the work of the Political Bureau since the second plenary session of the 20th Central Committee. It was unanimously agreed that in the face of a grave and complex international environment and the arduous tasks of advancing reform and development and ensuring stability at home, the Political Bureau has earnestly implemented the guiding principles of the 20th National Party Congress and the first and second plenary sessions of the 20th Central Committee, and made firm strides in building a modern socialist country in all respects. Our work during the past year and more demonstrates that as long as we are closely united around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, use Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to achieve unity in thinking and action, take concerted and proactive actions, adopt a pragmatic approach and make concrete efforts, we will continue securing new successes in building a modern socialist China in all respects.

The session's most important achievement is the consideration and adoption of the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization. This was made the theme of the session after careful deliberation by the Party Central Committee. First, in the course of advancing Chinese modernization, there are multiple complex contradictories and issues. To overcome these difficulties and hurdles, we must further deepen reform comprehensively to better adapt the relations of production to the productive forces, the superstructure to the economic base, and national governance to social development, hence providing strong impetus and institutional support for Chinese modernization. Second, Chinese modernization is the Party's central task on the new journey of the new era. All the major strategic plans of the Party and the country, including further deepening reform comprehensively, must be designed and implemented to advance Chinese modernization. With further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization as the theme of the session, we have grasped the core and pivotal aspect of our development, which is highly significant.

The drafting of the resolution was conducted under the leadership of the Party Central Committee. General Secretary Xi Jinping was head of the drafting group. He personally steered the process, organized surveys, delivered guidance, and set the directions, playing a decisive role throughout the process. The drafting group meticulously followed General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions. They focused on thoroughly summarizing past experiences and maintaining the correct direction, and worked to ensure that the reforms are well-targeted and effective. Upholding the principle of putting the people first and focusing on systematic integration and comprehensive planning, the group conducted in-depth research, surveys, interviews and themed discussions. Various methods and channels were used to promote democracy and gather a wide range of ideas. Such efforts effectively incorporated insights from both within and outside the Party and helped to build broad consensus on reforms. The drafting process of the resolution was not only about planning and advancing reforms but also about inspiring and motivating everyone involved.

The resolution consists of 60 items in 15 parts and is divided into three major sections. The first section is an overview, highlighting the great significance of and the general requirements for further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. The second section presents a detailed account of comprehensive arrangements for reform across all fields and aspects, with economic structural reform as the spearhead. The third section mainly addresses strengthening the Party's leadership over reform and deepening institutional reforms related to Party building. The resolution puts forward over 300 important reform measures, all of which pertain to systems and mechanisms. Some of these measures are designed to improve and enhance past reform practices, while others are new initiatives driven by practical needs and based on pilot efforts and explorations.

During the session, the attendees fully discussed the draft version of the resolution and spoke highly of it. It has been agreed that the resolution carries forward steps for comprehensively deepening reform since the third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee. It is seen as a new chapter for advancing Chinese modernization on the new journey and another important guiding document in the history of our Party.

That's all for my introduction. Thank you.

Mo Gaoyi:

Thank you, Mr. Tang. Now, let's give the floor to Mr. Mu Hong. He will walk us through the major achievements in comprehensively deepening reform since the beginning of the new era, as well as the overall objectives and principles of further deepening reform comprehensively.

Mu Hong:

Friends from the media, good morning. I will brief you on the major achievements in comprehensively deepening reform since the beginning of the new era, as well as the overall objectives and principles of further deepening reform comprehensively.

The resolution begins with the following statement: "The third plenary session of the 11th CPC Central Committee was epoch-making, starting a new period of reform and opening up and socialist modernization. The third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee was also epoch-making, ushering in a new journey of comprehensively deepening reform as well as systematically and holistically designing and advancing reform in the new era, and opening new ground for China's reform and opening up." This is an important assessment made by the Party Central Committee on the major achievements of comprehensively deepening reform since the beginning of the new era.

Since the Party's 18th National Congress, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has brought together the entire Party, the military, and the Chinese people, leading them to break the shackles of stale thinking and tearing down barriers erected by vested interests with great historical initiative, tremendous political courage, and a powerful sense of mission. With the courage to brave uncharted waters, take on tough problems, and navigate potential dangers, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has made resolute efforts to remove institutional obstacles in all areas. This has achieved the transition from explorative reform for breakthroughs in individual sectors and areas to more integrated and comprehensively deepening reform, putting in place foundational institutional frameworks in all sectors. All these efforts have provided an effective institutional guarantee for completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and achieving the Party's first centenary goal, and have taken China on a new journey toward building a modern socialist country in all respects. These achievements are especially evident in the following aspects:

First, the strengths of socialism with Chinese characteristics have been consolidated and developed. Our foundational systems have been increasingly reinforced, basic systems have been continuously improved, and innovations in important systems have yielded fruitful results. Through the development of whole-process people's democracy, the system of institutions through which the people run the country has been improved to be more comprehensive, extensive and well-aligned. Progress has been made in building the system of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics. This includes improvements to systems and mechanisms for sound legislation, strict law enforcement, impartial administration of justice, and widespread observance of the law throughout society. The guiding role of Marxism in the ideological domain has been upheld, and the system of advanced socialist culture has been continuously improved and developed.

Second, a strong impetus has been injected into economic development, driving China's economy toward high-quality development. Reforms to develop the socialist market economy have continued, the modern market system has been improved. Reforms for the market-based allocation of production factors have been advanced. Reforms of state-owned capital and state-owned enterprises have been deepened. The growth of the private sector has been facilitated, and efforts have been made to build systems and mechanisms to support all-around innovation. Reforms of fiscal, taxation and financial systems have been deepened, and systems and mechanisms for integrated urban and rural development have been improved. Efforts to build a new pattern of development have accelerated, alongside initiatives to build new systems that support a higher-standard open economy. The institutional environment has been continuously improved to ensure effective market mechanisms, dynamic market players, and sound macro regulation.

Third, historic, systemic, and holistic transformations have been achieved in many fields, and China's system and capacity for governance have been further modernized. For example, two rounds of large-scale reform in Party and state institutions have been conducted, and the system for these institutions to perform their duties better in light of new circumstances has been continuously improved. Ecological conservation systems have been established, and an institutional framework for ecological conservation has been put in place. This framework ensures tight prevention at the source, strict management in the process, due compensation for damage, and serious punishments for violations to keep our skies blue and our waters clear. The most extensive and far-reaching reform of national defense and the armed forces since the founding of the People's Republic of China has been carried out, realizing a holistic and groundbreaking transformation of the people's armed forces.

Fourth, the people's sense of fulfillment, happiness and security has continued to improve. Institutional innovation in key sectors such as income distribution, employment, education, medical services and social security has been pushed forward, creating the world's largest education, social security and healthcare systems. Systems and mechanisms for targeted poverty alleviation have been established and improved, helping to win the biggest battle against poverty in human history. The centralized, unified, high-performing, and authoritative leadership system for national security has been enhanced. An emergency management mechanism has been established and improved, and a social governance system based on collaboration, participation, and shared benefits has been implemented.

Fifth, the Party has strengthened itself through revolution and grown stronger. The Party's leadership systems have been continuously improved, and the oversight systems of the Party and the state have been enhanced. Systems and mechanisms for taking coordinated steps to ensure that officials do not have the audacity, opportunity or desire to be corrupt have been established and improved. These measures have ensured the Party Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership and guaranteed that the Party fulfills its core role in providing overall leadership and coordinating the efforts of all sides.

We owe these historic achievements to the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and to the sound guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Since the third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, General Secretary Xi Jinping has personally taken charge, made plans and promoted the comprehensive deepening of reform. Aiming to promote innovation in reform through theoretical innovation, he has systematically elaborated on the mission, direction, objectives, strategies, driving forces and approaches of reform, and put forward a series of new ideas, viewpoints, and conclusions on comprehensively deepening reform, scientifically answering major theoretical and practical questions such as what banner to hold and what path to take in the new era, as well as why and how to comprehensively deepen reform. All these demonstrate the charm of truth and the strength of practice in guiding new practices and leading new changes, providing powerful theoretical tools for further deepening reform comprehensively.

At a new historical starting point, the resolution makes it clear that the overall objectives of further deepening reform comprehensively are to continue improving and developing the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and modernize China’s system and capacity for governance. By 2035, we will have finished building a high-standard socialist market economy in all respects, further improved the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, generally modernized our system and capacity for governance, and basically realized socialist modernization. All of this will lay a solid foundation for building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects by the middle of this century. These overall objectives build on the overall objectives of comprehensively deepening reform proposed at the third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, and are well aligned with the strategic plans made at the 20th CPC National Congress, so as to set the goals and the direction for further deepening reform comprehensively.

The resolution states that, in order to further deepen reform comprehensively, we must earnestly implement the major principles of upholding the Party's overall leadership, taking a people-centered approach, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, taking institution building as our main task, exercising law-based governance on all fronts, and applying systems thinking. These six principles encapsulate the core essence of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions on comprehensively deepening reform, representing a scientific conclusion drawn from the valuable experience we have gained from our efforts to deepen reform comprehensively since the launch of reform and opening up, particularly in the new era, which we must strictly adhere to over the long term. Thank you.

Mo Gaoyi:

Thank you, Mr. Mu. Now, I would like to invite Mr. Han Wenxiu to introduce the reform efforts in the areas of the economy and people’s wellbeing. 

Han Wenxiu:

Good morning, everyone. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that, to further deepen reform comprehensively, we should regard economic structural reform as the spearhead and greater social fairness and justice and improvements in the people's wellbeing as our ultimate objectives. Approved at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, the resolution insists that high-quality development is the primary task in building China into a modern socialist country in all respects, and makes comprehensive arrangements for reforms in areas of the economy and people’s wellbeing, which carry significant weight. I would like to give my introduction from seven aspects.

First, we will build a high-standard socialist market economy. The resolution stresses that we must better leverage the role of the market, foster a fairer and more dynamic market environment, and unleash the internal driving forces and creativity of our society as a whole. We will work unswervingly both to consolidate and develop the public sector and to encourage, support, and guide the development of the non-public sector, thus enabling entities under different forms of ownership to complement each other and develop side by side. On the one hand, we will deepen reform of state-owned capital and state-owned enterprises (SOEs); work to allow state-owned capital and enterprises to get stronger, do better, and grow bigger; and enhance their core functions, and increase their core competitiveness. We will conduct the accounting work of the added value of the state-owned economy, and build SOEs into a cradle of original technological innovations. We will also encourage industries, such as energy and railways, to promote independent operation in sectors of natural monopoly and advance market-oriented reform in competitive areas. On the other hand, we will create an enabling environment and provide more opportunities for the development of the non-public sector. We will improve the long-term mechanisms for private enterprises to participate in major national projects, support private enterprises with distinctive strengths in leading the development of major national technologies, and regulate administrative inspections involving private enterprises. The most favorable business environment relies on the rule of law. We will formulate and issue a law on promoting the non-public sector. The resolution emphasizes encouraging entrepreneurship, and moving faster to help more Chinese companies become world-class, which is a common requirement for all forms of business entities.

Accelerating the development of a high-standard market system is a major reform task. The resolution has identified three key reform measures. First, it aims to build a unified national market. This includes establishing a unified urban-rural construction land market, building a nationwide integrated technology and data market, developing a standardized and information-sharing platform for bidding and public resource transactions, implementing cohesive circulation rules and standards, and forming an integrated national electricity market. Second, it aims to advance reforms for the market-based allocation of production factors by improving the systems and rules governing labor, capital, land, knowledge, technology, management and data. Third, it seeks to refine the systems underpinning the market economy. This includes improving mechanisms for property rights protection, information disclosure, market access, bankruptcy exit, and credit supervision. The market economy is essentially a law-based economy. The resolution emphasizes preventing and rectifying the use of administrative means or criminal law to interfere with economic disputes. It also stresses that the violations of property rights and legitimate interests across all forms of ownership are subject to equal responsibility, penalties and legal consequences.

Second, we will improve the institutions and mechanisms for promoting high-quality development. General Secretary Xi Jinping has creatively proposed the development of new quality productive forces in light of local conditions. This represents a significant theoretical and practical innovation that will inject new momentum into high-quality development. The resolution calls for accelerating the formation of production relations that are more compatible with new quality productive forces, enhancing mechanisms for optimizing and upgrading traditional industries, refining policies and governance systems for strategic industries, establishing mechanisms to boost funding in future industries, and improving policy frameworks for digital industrialization and industrial digitization. It aims to encourage the concentration of advanced production factors toward developing new quality productive forces and significantly increase total factor productivity. The resolution emphasizes the need to fully integrate the real economy with the digital economy, develop the modern services sector, modernize infrastructure, and enhance the resilience and security of industrial and supply chains. All of these are intrinsic requirements for achieving high-quality development.

Third, we will improve macroeconomic governance. The resolution calls for building planning and implementation mechanisms for national strategies, improving national economic and social development planning system, while also deepening the reform of fiscal, taxation and financial systems and enhancing the consistency of macro policy orientation. It calls for the establishment of new mechanisms for cross-regional cooperation and development. Addressing the financial difficulties of local governments and grassroots levels, the resolution proposes improving the fiscal relationship between central and local governments. This includes boosting local financial autonomy, expanding local tax sources, enhancing the alignment of financial resources and responsibilities at the municipal and county levels, appropriately increasing central responsibilities, raising the proportion of central fiscal expenditure, and prohibiting unjustified demands for local governments to provide matching funds. Additionally, research should be conducted into tax systems that are compatible with new business formats. After more than 40 years of rapid development, our country's social wealth has continuously accumulated. The resolution calls for exploring the implementation of national balance sheet management to optimize the adjustment of various asset structures.

Fourth, we will improve the institutions and mechanisms for promoting integrated urban-rural development. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that we must pursue integrated urban-rural development for the rural revitalization strategy to be successful. Focusing on promoting people-centered new urbanization, the resolution proposes implementing a system where basic public services are provided based on household registration at the place of permanent residence, and accelerating the process of granting urban residency to rural migrants. In order to continuously consolidate and expand the achievements of poverty alleviation, and strengthen agriculture, benefit farmers, and enrich rural areas, the resolution proposes improving the regular mechanism to prevent rural populations from falling back into poverty, establishing a tiered and categorized support system for low-income rural populations and underdeveloped areas, coordinating the establishment of a trans-provincial compensation mechanism between grain-producing and grain-consuming regions, improving the funding mechanism for rural revitalization, and fostering new industries and new business formats in rural areas.

Fifth, we will promote high-standard opening up. The resolution calls for proactively aligning with high-standard international economic and trade rules, steadily expanding institutional opening up, and developing new mechanisms for a higher-standard open economy. It proposes expanding unilateral openness to the least developed countries and increasing independent opening up. It also calls for the orderly expansion of the openness of goods, services, capital and labor markets. Additionally, the resolution proposes improving systems to provide more convenience for people from overseas to live, seek medical services and make payments in China. The resolution also calls for coordinating the advancement of major landmark projects and "small yet impactful" livelihood projects, promoting high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and turning China's vast market into an excellent opportunity for the world.

Sixth, we will refine the systems to ensure and improve the people's well-being. The resolution emphasizes that reforms should focus on what the people care about and expect. It stresses improving mechanisms for promoting high-quality and full employment, enhancing social security systems for flexible workers, migrant workers and those in new employment forms, promoting the expansion and distribution of high-quality medical resources, advancing the development of a childrearing-friendly society, and refining policies and mechanisms for the development of elderly care services and industries. Effectively implementing these measures will undoubtedly further enhance the public's sense of gain, happiness and security.

Seventh, we will deepen reforms in ecological conservation. Chinese modernization is the modernization of harmony between humanity and nature. The resolution emphasizes the need to accelerate the improvement and implementation of mechanisms and systems that embody the principle that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," while calling for establishing mechanisms to realize the value of ecological products. The resolution also underscores the planning and construction of a new energy system, and developing a carbon accounting and verification system, a product carbon labeling and certification system, and a product carbon footprint management system. These measures aim to better promote green, low-carbon, and circular development. In summary, the resolution has outlined substantial, practical, and highly valuable reforms in the economic and livelihood sectors. We must ensure these reforms are effectively implemented. Thank you!

Mo Gaoyi:

Thank you, Mr. Han Wenxiu. Now please, Mr. Huai Jinpeng, introduce the reforms in the fields of education, science and technology, talent, and innovation.

Huai Jinpeng:

Ladies and gentlemen from the media, I will brief you on reforms in the areas of education, science and technology, talent, and innovation.

The 20th CPC National Congress highlighted that innovation remains at the heart of China's modernization drive, emphasizing that education, science and technology, and human resources are the foundational and strategic pillars for building a modern socialist country in all respects. It clearly set the goal for China to become a leading country in education, science and technology, and talent by 2035. The third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee further proposed supporting all-around innovation, making coordinated efforts to promote integrated reform of institutions and mechanisms pertaining to education, science and technology, and human resources, and improving the new system for mobilizing resources nationwide to make key technological breakthroughs. These efforts will help boost the overall performance of China's innovation system. This series of new arrangements and instructions fully reflects the profound insights of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core into the nature and laws of innovation.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, our Party has thoroughly implemented the strategy for invigorating China through science and education, the workforce development strategy, and the innovation-driven development strategy. We have promoted the integrated advancement of education, scientific and technological innovation, and talent cultivation, continuously strengthening support for modernization drive. I would like to briefly introduce three points in this regard: First, China has built the world's largest education system, with the prevalence of education at all levels reaching or exceeding the average level of middle- and high-income countries. The gross enrollment rate in higher education institutions has surpassed 60%, entering a universally recognized stage of high popularization. Second, the average years of education received by the new workforce has exceeded 14 years, and the population with higher education has reached 250 million. China has the world's largest number of professionals involved in research and development. Third, China's total R&D expenditure ranks second in the world. It has continuously strengthened basic research and original innovation, achieved major breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, and further unleashed the vitality of innovation entities and talents. China has joined the ranks of the world's innovators.

You know, in the contemporary era, science and technology is the primary productive force, talent is the primary resource, and innovation is the primary driver of growth. Technological innovation relies on talent, and talent cultivation depends on education. The transformations unseen in a century are accelerating across the world and a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation is well under way. The international competition for high-quality talent and the leading position in science and technology has become unprecedentedly intense. This urgently requires us to follow the path of nurturing talent at home and achieve greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology. For this purpose, the resolution of the plenary session made important arrangements for deepening the integrated reform of institutions and mechanisms pertaining to education, science and technology, and human resources.

First, it is to deepen comprehensive reform in education. Developing a large country in education into a leading one in this respect means systemic improvement and qualitative change. The resolution emphasizes accelerating the development of a high-quality education system, coordinating the reform in educational methods, school operation models, management systems, and support mechanisms. It focuses on cultivating a new generation of young people who can shoulder the mission of realizing national rejuvenation, improving the mechanism of fostering virtue through education, exploring new grounds in integrating the political education curriculum across all levels, from elementary schools to universities, and perfecting a comprehensive education system that encompasses sound moral grounding, intellectual ability, physical vigor, aesthetic sensibility, and work skills. With an eye on cultivating top-notch and innovative talents, the resolution urges to promote the reforms in universities and colleges with a category-based approach, establishing a discipline adjustment mechanism and talent nurturing models driven by scientific and technological development and national strategic needs. Adhering to the principle that we must have better teachers first if we are to strengthen education, we shall enhance teachers' capabilities to impart knowledge and educate students, and establish a long-term mechanism for fostering professional ethics and conduct of teachers. By effectively utilizing world-class educational resources and innovative factors, we shall promote the high-level opening up of education.

Second, it is to deepen structural scientific and technological reform. Adhering to the strategic guidance of "setting our sights on the global frontiers of science and technology, national economic development, the major needs of the country, and the health and safety of the people," our focus is on igniting the scientific and technological creativity. The resolution emphasizes the need to optimize the organizational mechanisms for major scientific and technological innovations, to strengthen building our country's strength in strategic science and technology, and to step up coordinated efforts to secure breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields. It calls for improving the management of science and technology initiatives, strengthening the forward-looking and pioneering planning in basic research fields, interdisciplinary frontier areas, and key areas. With an eye on the comprehensive integration of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, the resolution reinforces the principal role of enterprises and promotes closer enterprise-led collaboration between industries, universities, and research institutes. It asks us to deepen the reform of the mechanism for applying scientific and technological achievements and build a technology finance system that is compatible with scientific and technological innovation.

Third, it is to deepen institutional reforms for talent development. Focusing on accelerating the formation of effective mechanisms for talent nurturing, utilization, evaluation, services, support, and incentives, the resolution emphasizes the adoption of more active, open, and effective policies on talent, and the improvement of mechanisms for nurturing talent on our own. We need to speed up efforts to build a contingent of personnel with expertise of strategic importance, cultivate science strategists, first-class scientists and innovation teams, as well as outstanding engineers, master craftsmen, and highly-skilled workers, thereby enhancing the quality of talents in various fields. We must strengthen talent incentive mechanisms, continue to empower employers and free up more space for talents, and develop a personnel evaluation system based on innovation capability, quality, effectiveness, and contribution, creating a favorable environment for talent development.

In conclusion, by further deepening reforms, we aim to accelerate building China into a leading country in education, science and technology, and talent, and to create a multiplier effect that drives high-quality development, and provides support and paves the way for Chinese modernization.

That's all for my introduction. Thank you, everyone!

Mo Gaoyi:

Thank you, Mr. Huai Jinpeng. Now, I would like to invite Mr. Shen Chunyao to introduce the reforms in the areas of democracy and the rule of law.

Shen Chunyao:

Next, I will provide a brief introduction to the important arrangements regarding democracy and law-based governance as outlined in the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee.

In the new journey of further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization, we must broadly mobilize and effectively organize the people under the leadership of the Party to actively participate in reform and opening up, and pursue Chinese modernization as masters of their own country, and to strive in unity to build a great country and move toward national rejuvenation. It is essential and integral to our efforts to further deepen reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization under the new circumstances.

The third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee set the overall objectives of further deepening reform comprehensively, which include advancing whole-process people's democracy, upholding the unity between the Party leadership, the running of the country by the people and law-based governance. The objectives also include improving the institutions through which the people run the country, promoting extensive, multilevel, and institutionalized development of consultative democracy, and promoting socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics, thereby advancing the socialist rule of law in our country to a higher level. Developing whole-process people's democracy means always ensuring the principal position of the people on the path forward, fully leveraging the people's motivation, initiative, and creativity, rallying everyone’s wisdom and strength, and better translating our country's institutional strengths into effective governance.

The plenary session stressed that developing whole-process people's democracy is integral to Chinese modernization. It made important arrangements for "advancing whole-process people's democracy" and put forward reform tasks to strengthen the institutions through which the people run the country, improve the mechanisms for consultative democracy, enhance the institutions of democracy at the primary level, and build a broad united front. The overall requirement is: We must firmly stay on the path of socialist political advancement with Chinese characteristics and uphold and improve our country's foundational, basic, and important political systems. We must diversify the forms of democracy at all levels and ensure that the principle of the people running the country is manifested in concrete and visible ways in all aspects of China's political and social activities.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has incorporated exercising law-based governance on all fronts into the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy and has advanced it with unprecedented determination, measures and efforts, achieving historic accomplishments. The third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee underscored that the rule of law provides an important guarantee for Chinese modernization. It is necessary to exercise law-based governance and deepen reforms to advance Chinese modernization on the track of the rule of law. This entails ensuring the unity of reform and the rule of law, having a legal basis for major reforms, and promptly codifying reform achievements into laws. The plenary session made important arrangements for "promoting socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics." It emphasized focusing on developing the system of the rule of law to systematically advance the rule of law in China. This entails forming a complete set of legal norms, efficient enforcement measures, rigorous oversight mechanisms, effective legal protections, and a complete body of internal Party regulations at a higher level.

On the new journey, to better leverage the role of the rule of law in consolidating foundations, stabilizing expectations, and delivering long-term benefits, we must ensure full implementation of the Constitution and uphold its authority, coordinate the reforms to promote sound legislation, law enforcement, administration of justice, and observance of the law, and improve the mechanisms for ensuring that all are equal before the law, so as to promote socialist rule of law, safeguard social fairness and justice, and see that all work of the state is carried out under the rule of law. The plenary session has outlined reform tasks and requirements in the field of the rule of law, focusing on deepening reforms in legislation, advancing law-based government administration, improving the institutions and mechanisms for impartial law enforcement and administration of justice, refining the mechanisms for building a law-based society, and strengthening the rule of law in foreign-related affairs.

In exercising law-based governance and promoting socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics, we must follow the following important principles: First, adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law and firmly grasp the correct political direction for advancing the rule of law in China. Second, adhere to the Party's overall leadership in advancing the rule of law in China and ensure that the Party's lines, principles, policies, decisions and plans are fully and effectively implemented through the rule of law. Third, the people's principal position in exercising law-based governance on all fronts should be ensured, and a people-centered approach should be taken in all aspects and throughout the whole process of advancing the rule of law in China. Fourth, adhere to the status of the Constitution as the fundamental law of China, strengthen its implementation, fulfill its mission, and safeguard its authority. Fifth, adhere to the unity of promoting reform under the rule of law and perfecting the rule of law in the process of reform, and handle the relationship between reform and the rule of law well. This is all I can provide for now. Thank you.

Mo Gaoyi:

Thank you, Mr. Shen. Now, let's invite Mr. Tang to introduce the arrangements for upholding the Party's leadership in further deepening reform across the board and deepening institutional reforms related to Party building.

Tang Fangyu:

Okay, I will introduce this issue.

China's success hinges on the Party. To further deepen reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization, it is imperative that we continuously enhance the Party's capacity for leadership and strengthen and improve Party building.

Given the extreme importance of the Party's leadership and Party building, the resolution incorporates the Party's leadership and Party building as key components throughout its summary of experiences, explanation of significance, articulation of principles, and deployment of measures. The resolution emphasizes that we must acquire a deep understanding of the decisive significance of establishing Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and establishing the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; be more conscious of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership; stay confident in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics; and uphold Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and uphold the Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership. It emphasizes that we must maintain keen awareness of the need to use the Party's own transformation to steer social transformation, thereby enabling our Party to remain the strong leadership core in building socialism with Chinese characteristics. It also emphasizes that we must focus on enhancing the Party's capacity for leadership and long-term governance, innovating and improving its leadership and governance approach, deepening institutional reforms related to Party building, and refining the systems for exercising full and rigorous self-governance.

The resolution dedicates one entire section to the Party's leadership and deepening institutional reforms related to Party building, primarily focusing on three aspects:

The first aspect is to uphold the Party Central Committee's centralized, unified leadership over the endeavor to further deepen reform across the board. The resolution emphasizes the Party Central Committee's leadership in designing reform on an overall basis, arranging and coordinating reforms of different sectors, and pushing forward reforms as a whole, and encourages various regions and departments to innovate with their own realities and create replicable and generalizable new experiences. It proposes to effectively implement the Party's mass line in the new era, fully incorporating social expectations, the wisdom of the masses, expert opinions, and grassroots experience into the design of reform. It proposes to set the reform agenda around solving prominent issues, optimize the mechanism for generating key reform plans, and discover problems and correct deviations promptly.

The second aspect is to deepen institutional reforms related to Party building. The resolution emphasizes the need to focus on mobilizing the enthusiasm, initiative and creativity of the whole Party to carry out reform and promote development. It calls for better arming all Party members with the Party's new theories, deepening reforms to the system for managing officials and personnel, following the right approach to selecting and appointing officials, and comprehensively improving officials' capacity for advancing the modernization drive. It emphasizes the need for officials to have a correct understanding of what it means to perform well, with a focus on addressing issues of misconduct, inaction, timidity and incompetence among officials. It emphasizes the need to apply the "three distinctions" -- the distinction between errors caused by lack of experience in pilot reforms and deliberate violations of discipline and law; the distinction between errors made in conducting experiments that are not explicitly restricted by higher-level authorities and arbitrary violations of discipline and law despite higher-level authorities' explicit prohibition; and the distinction between unwitting errors made in pursuing development and violations of discipline and law for personal gains – so as to encourage officials to exhibit pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit at work. It also proposes to strengthen the political and organizational functions of Party organizations, explore practical ways to enhance Party building in new types of economic and social organizations and among groups in new forms of employment, and improve the mechanisms for educating and managing Party members and maximizing their contributions.

The third aspect is to intensify efforts to improve conduct, build integrity, and combat corruption. The resolution emphasizes the improvement of mechanisms to conduct concrete, targeted, and regular political oversight. It underscores the need to steadfastly implement the central Party leadership's eight-point decision on improving work conduct, resolutely oppose pointless formalities and bureaucratism, and effectively reduce burdens at the grassroots level. It emphasizes deepening the implementation of "four forms" of discipline supervision and enforcement, comprehensively leveraging the Party's discipline's educational, constraining, safeguarding and motivating functions. The resolution aims to perfect an integrated mechanism that ensures officials do not have the audacity, opportunity or desire to be corrupt, focusing on eradicating the breeding grounds and conditions for corruption. It also stresses the improvement of the Party and state oversight mechanisms, ensuring that leadership and oversight responsibilities for strict self-governance are properly assumed. It also highlights the need to strengthen the management of false accusations, among other aspects.

The above plans of the resolution fully reflect the determination and alertness to exercise full and rigorous self-governance. We firmly believe that, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, further comprehensive deepening of reforms will surely advance at a swift and steady pace, and Chinese modernization will indeed press ahead.

That's all for my introduction. Thank you!

Mo Gaoyi:

Thank you, Mr. Tang. Now, we will enter the Q&A session. Before asking your questions, please state the name of your news organization.

CCTV:

Further deepening reform comprehensively is a systematic project involving all aspects of economic and social development. This plenary session emphasized that reforms should be both focused and integrated. How will coordination be promoted to ensure that various reform measures are well-coordinated and integrated and form synergy in advancing Chinese modernization? Thank you.

Mo Gaoyi:

Let's invite Mr. Mu to answer this question.

Mu Hong:

Thank you for your question. Applying systems thinking is essential for comprehensively deepening reforms and is a crucial method for advancing them. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has coordinated a strategy of national rejuvenation amid global changes of a magnitude not seen in a century, applying the new development philosophy on all fronts and implementing the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy in a coordinated way to plan and advance reform. Addressing the characteristics of comprehensively deepening reforms in the new era, General Secretary Xi Jinping has particularly emphasized enhancing reforms more systematically, holistically and coordinately to increase their overall effectiveness. A distinct feature of the resolution from this plenary session is its greater emphasis on integrating our reforms. It focuses on the goals, tasks and major issues of advancing Chinese modernization, strengthening overall planning and systematic layout for reforms, introducing a series of major reform measures, and ensuring that reforms are more focused, coordinated and efficient.

General Secretary Xi Jinping made arrangements in his important speech at the plenary session regarding coordinating and promoting reforms to ensure that various reform measures are well-coordinated. Under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee, we will perfect the top-down reform promotion mechanism that has been established. The implementation will focus on three main aspects. First, we will promptly refine and categorize the major reform measures proposed in the resolution, scientifically formulate reform task lists, roadmaps and timelines, and reasonably arrange the priorities, sequences, pace and timing of reforms. Second, we will vigorously promote the coordinated advancement of reforms. The focus is on clarifying the division of reform tasks, responsible entities, and collaborating units. This ensures that each party fulfills its duties and responsibilities while aligning with the overall objectives, actively cooperating, ensuring smooth coordination and collaboration, and forming synergy. We must manage major relationships well and establish strong coordination and promotion mechanisms for challenging reforms with intricate interest relationships. Additionally, we need to intensify supervision and effectiveness evaluation, ensuring that reforms are implemented with a persistent spirit. Third, we will integrate top-level design with grassroots exploration. By fully relying on the people and under the premise of clarifying reform principles and ensuring security, we will encourage and support local grassroots organizations to free their minds, boldly experiment and pioneer, and carry out innovation in light of local conditions. We will respect the pioneering spirit of the grassroots and the masses. We will also advance the timely replication, promotion, consolidation and enhancement of successful experiences.

Thank you.

The Paper:

We have observed that, for some time, China's economy has maintained sound and steady growth according to macroeconomic data. However, there exists a certain "temperature difference" between macroeconomic data and microeconomic entities. In the process of further deepening reform comprehensively, what measures can be taken in macroeconomic policies and institutional reforms to bridge this "temperature difference" and achieve a virtuous economic circle? Thank you.

Mo Gaoyi: 

Let's invite Mr. Han to answer this question.

Han Wenxiu: 

China is currently achieving economic recovery and growth while making steady progress in pursuing high-quality development. Major macroeconomic indicators are staying in line with projected targets. However, challenges still exist, such as insufficient effective demand, operational difficulties for some businesses, and fiscal difficulties in certain regions. These challenges indicate that the economic recovery is not yet strong enough. There is also a divergence among different regions, industries and enterprises. Moving forward, it is essential to promote a sustained economic recovery and growth, achieving more balanced and inclusive development that is beneficial to all. Accomplishing these goals relies on strong policy support and effective reforms.

Macroeconomic policies need to be implemented more forcefully and effectively. A proactive fiscal policy should be better leveraged by speeding up the issuance and use of special bonds. This policy should also ensure timely and adequate expenditure at the primary level to guarantee that basic living needs are met, salaries are paid, and governments function smoothly. Furthermore, it is crucial to maximize the leveraging effect of fiscal funds on economic growth and structural adjustment. A prudent monetary policy should be flexible, appropriate, targeted and effective. It should maintain reasonable and adequate liquidity while actively developing technology finance, green finance, inclusive finance, pension finance, and digital finance. These measures will provide an endless source of strength to the real economy. Following the decisions and arrangements, we will implement large-scale equipment renewal and consumer goods trade-in programs. These programs will be supported through more financial investments and policy support. The goal is to provide tangible benefits to businesses and consumers. We will combine long-term growth potential with short-term stability in growth by leveraging ultra-long special treasury bonds. These bonds will be used to enhance major national strategies and build up security capacity in key areas. Both economic and non-economic policies should be evaluated for consistency in macro policy orientation. This approach will create a strong synergy for promoting high-quality development.

We will firmly promote reforms that can bring tangible benefits to individuals and enterprises. Reform and development should be for the people and by the people. The outcomes of reform and development should be shared among the people. According to the arrangements of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, we will work to provide inclusive public services, meet essential needs, and provide a cushion for those most in need. We will improve mechanisms regarding workers' wage determination, rational wage increases, and secure wage payments. Additionally, we will increase residents' property income through various channels, effectively raise the incomes of low-income groups, and steadily expand the middle-income population. These measures will boost the ability and willingness of residents to consume. We will improve the long-term mechanisms for expanding consumption. We will enhance mechanisms for promoting higher-quality and fuller employment while supporting and regulating the development of new employment forms. We will enhance systems and mechanisms to drive social investment through government investment, forming a market-oriented mechanism that boosts effective investment through endogenous growth capacity. We will improve the systems and mechanisms for promoting equal opportunities. We will ensure that economic entities under all forms of ownership have equal access to factors of production in accordance with the law, compete in the market on an equal footing, and are protected by the law as equals. These measures aim to promote social mobility and encourage people to achieve prosperity through hard work.

We believe that driven by effective policies and reforms, China's economy will become more robust, balanced and sustainable, continuously enhancing individuals and enterprises' sense of gain and benefits. Thank you!

Phoenix TV:

We noticed that among the 2023 national science and technology awards announced last month, around two-thirds of the three major awards were issued to projects led by higher education institutions. Additionally, the two recipients of the top sci-tech awards, academicians Li Deren and Xue Qikun, both work at universities. Looking ahead, how do you plan to boost the sci-tech innovation capabilities of universities and colleges and independently cultivate high-caliber talent through deeper reforms, thereby better supporting major national strategies? Thank you.

Mo Gaoyi:

Mr. Huai, please answer this one. 

Huai Jinpeng:

I appreciate your attention to and recognition of sci-tech innovation at higher education institutions. As we know, universities are where educational resources, science and technology and talent come together. They lead in basic research and foster major sci-tech breakthroughs. I believe universities are among the most valuable assets of a country. In recent years, universities have played an important role in China's innovation system. For example, in the fields of quantum technology, life sciences, material science, and space science, we have achieved many major original innovations. Looking ahead, we will optimize the structure of higher education and encourage universities to enhance talent cultivation, sci-tech innovation, and social services by setting clear targets and making well-organized arrangements. We will strengthen institutional innovation and sci-tech innovation as driving forces, with the aim of providing strong support for rapidly developing world-class hubs for talent and innovation.

First, we will advance university reforms across various categories. Socioeconomic development requires different types of universities and talent. Therefore, we need some universities to develop strengths on all fronts while others excel in a single field. We will clarify the development targets of different types of universities, establish a mechanism for category-based management and appraisal, guide various types of universities to develop and exert advantages in different fields and competitions, and encourage them to pursue excellence and demonstrate uniqueness. We will step up efforts to foster world-class universities and strong disciplines with Chinese characteristics. We will launch an initiative to develop first-class disciplines by leveraging advantages to achieve breakthroughs, establishing a batch of model disciplines, and improving discipline development capabilities through the completion of major tasks.

Second, we will intensify our efforts to cultivate innovation capabilities. Innovative education nurtures innovative talent, and innovative talent builds an innovative nation. We will focus on the requirements of major national strategies and the latest sci-tech developments, adjust the setup of disciplines at higher education institutions in a dynamic manner, optimize talent cultivation approaches, and map out new disciplines and majors to address urgent needs. We will thoroughly implement the national strategic initiative to foster top-notch talent in basic disciplines. We will intensify our focus on developing new disciplines of engineering, medical sciences, agricultural sciences, and liberal arts. We will create first-class core curricula, textbooks, hands-on projects and faculties, allowing sci-tech education to reinforce liberal arts education and vice versa. When students' humanistic qualities improve, their innovative thinking in sci-tech will also be taken to the next level. Thus, we will be able to create a system to cultivate high-quality, top-tier innovative talent on our own.

Third, we will improve higher education institutions' sci-tech innovation mechanisms. We will implement plans to make breakthroughs in basic disciplines and interdisciplinary subjects, improve the organization of basic research, drive the integration of science and technology with education through major tasks, and guide the interaction and integration of different disciplines, with the aim to produce more original and disruptive sci-tech innovations. Specifically, we will enhance the cultivation of young sci-tech talent. Through long-term, stable support and long-term appraisal, we will guide and support dedicated and highly innovative young university teachers to make advanced scientific explorations and blaze trails in new frontier areas. We will strengthen the application of universities' sci-tech achievements by building regional technology transfer and transformation centers on campuses, speeding up the planning and development of advanced research institutes, promoting cooperation between universities and enterprises, supporting universities in realizing high-level sci-tech achievements, and enhancing the transformation of these achievements. The efforts will continuously boost the development of new quality productive forces.

That's all I'll say for now. Thank you!

Xinhua News Agency:

A strong rule of law enables a prosperous and powerful nation. How do you view the role of the rule of law in further deepening reform comprehensively and advancing Chinese modernization? How can we align reforms with the rule of law, ensure that major reforms have a legal basis, and promptly translate reform outcomes into legal rules? Thank you.

Mo Gaoyi:

Mr. Shen, please answer these two questions.

Shen Chunyao:

Reform and the rule of law reinforce each other and go hand in hand. Reform means "breaking" and "changing", while the rule of law indicates "establishing" and "stabilizing". The two, which seem to be contradictory, actually form a dialectical unity of "breaking" and "establishing", and "changing" and "stabilizing". Historically, reforms and new policies have been closely linked to legislation and rules-making. China's reform and opening-up practices also demonstrate that the realization of the rule of law will not be possible without reform, and the deepening of reform also requires the rule of law.

After the 18th CPC National Congress, the third and fourth plenary sessions of the 18th CPC Central Committee made strategic arrangements for comprehensively deepening reform and exercising law-based governance on all fronts, respectively. The resolutions adopted at these two plenary sessions complement each other well. Reform and the rule of law are often likened to the two wings of a bird or the two wheels of a vehicle. Over the years, we have pursued both in tandem, achieving many important outcomes and gaining valuable experiences. Regarding legislative work, out of the 303 laws currently in effect, 78 were newly enacted after the third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee. This includes the Civil Code, which is of great significance. Of the 303 laws, 334 amendments were made to 147, demonstrating substantial efforts in law amendments. On the new journey, further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization should be organically combined with exercising law-based governance on all fronts. This approach will enhance the vital role of the rule of law.

The resolution outlines important measures, tasks and demands involving the enactment, amendment, repeal, interpretation, codification and related authorization and approval of laws. This raises many requirements for legislative work, and we need to respond through deepening reform in the legislative field. The resolution clearly sets out various important tasks concerning legislation and revision. These include enacting a private sector promotion law, finance law, a law to promote ethnic unity and progress, and a law against cross-border bribery; revising the oversight law and the supervision law; and codifying the ecological environment code. We must fully follow through on the guiding principles of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. We must adapt to changing circumstances and new requirements, focusing on properly handling the relationship between reform and the rule of law. We will promptly formulate laws and regulations needed for deepening reforms. For matters that lack sufficient practice and require preliminary trials to accumulate experience, we shall issue authorization decisions in accordance with the law. Existing legal provisions that do not meet reform and development requirements shall be revised, improved or abolished in accordance with the law. For matters where relevant reform decisions have been clearly made and multiple laws need amending, we can adopt a package amendment approach to deal with them in one attempt. A "decision plus legislation" or "decision plus revision" approach can be adopted for institutional innovation measures that need to be advanced step by step. This means adopting the decision in accordance with the law first, then promptly arranging and advancing relevant legislative work.

That's all from me. Thank you!

CNBC:

How does China plan to balance the slowdown in the real estate sector with supporting new economic growth drivers in the face of rising trade tensions with major trading partners? Thank you.

Mo Gaoyi:

This question goes to Mr. Han.

Han Wenxiu:

China's real estate market is large and interconnected with numerous sectors, exerting a systemic impact on the functioning of the macro economy. Currently, the market is undergoing significant changes in supply and demand dynamics and is in an adjustment phase. We must uphold the principles of seeking progress while maintaining stability, establishing the new before abolishing the old, resolving development-related problems through reform, and accelerating the replacement of old growth drivers with new ones. By doing so, we can provide diverse and strong support for high-quality development. We need to focus our efforts on three key areas:

First, we need to promote the stable and healthy development of the real estate market. Recently, we've observed some positive changes. Looking ahead, we need to make progress in both absorbing existing stock and optimizing new supply. We must further implement and improve new policies for real estate development, ensure the delivery of housing projects, and revitalize existing commercial housing stock and land resources. Going forward, we need to implement the guiding principles of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. This includes speeding up the development of new models for real estate development and eliminating the drawbacks of past models characterized by high debt, high turnover, and high leverage. Efforts will be made to build better housing that meets people's new expectations and better satisfies both essential housing needs and demands for improved living conditions. We also need to establish corresponding foundational systems in financing, fiscal, taxation, land, sales and other sectors to cope with these demands. It's important to note that as China's new urbanization continues to advance, there is still considerable room for high-quality development in the real estate sector.

Second, we need to accelerate the development of emerging and future industries to cultivate new engines for economic growth. In recent years, China has developed several competitive industries, such as high-end equipment, new energy vehicles and photovoltaics. Emerging industries like new-generation information technology, new materials, the low-altitude economy, and new types of energy storage are also thriving. We have nurtured over 140,000 specialized and sophisticated small- and medium-sized enterprises that produce novel and unique products. In accordance with the deployments made at the third plenary session, we should develop new quality productive forces in light of local conditions. This involves cultivating and strengthening emerging industries, making sound plans for future industries, upgrading traditional sectors, and promoting high-end, intelligent and green development in manufacturing. These efforts will help us form a group of emerging pillar industries and steadily foster new growth drivers and new strengths.

Third, we need to expand domestic demand, especially consumer demand, to enhance the internal momentum and reliability of domestic economic flows. Facing the new international environment, we must ensure the stable performance of foreign trade and investment while continuously expanding the room for China's development. At the same time, we should fully tap into the potential of domestic demand, making the best use of China's super-large market. We must fully leverage the foundational role of consumption and the critical role of investment. This approach will help us effectively pursue high-quality economic growth and properly increase China's economic output. China's economy is large, with strong domestic demand and sound internal circulation. As long as we manage our own affairs well, we will ensure the smooth and stable operation of the national economy. Thank you!

Lianhe Zaobao:

In a volatile world, China is facing growing external uncertainties. Will this affect China's reform and opening-up endeavors? Thank you.

Mo Gaoyi:

This question goes to Mr. Mu.

Mu Hong:

Thank you for your question. General Secretary Xi Jinping once said, "Strengthening determination, shoring up confidence and focusing on managing our own affairs well are the keys to meeting all kinds of risks and challenges." The reform and opening-up policy is an important instrument that has enabled China to take great strides to catch up with the times, becoming a vivid banner of the Party and a consensus among the people. In the new era, facing severe and complex domestic and international situations, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has held high the banner of reform and opening up. They have used reform-oriented thinking and methods to solve development problems. The third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee launched the deepening of reform and opening up in the new era, and the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee made strategic arrangements for further deepening reform comprehensively and advancing Chinese modernization. We progress toward our goal step by step, fearless of any risks and unwavering in the face of any disturbances. We fully demonstrate our Party's firm resolution and iron will to carry the reform further to its ultimate triumph. Experience has fully demonstrated our Party's unwavering commitment to advancing reform and opening up has been crucial. This approach allows us to remain sensitive to changes, respond to them with well-judged actions, adjust our approach when necessary, and actively navigate amid change. As a result, we maintain a firm grasp on the future of development and progress.

We should remain committed to the basic state policy of opening up to the outside world. Reform and opening up are coordinated, and promoting reform and development through opening up is a successful practice of China's reform and opening up. At present, momentous changes not seen in a century are accelerating across the world and external uncertainties mount. However, these challenges will not affect China's firm determination and confidence in deepening reforms and expanding opening up. General Secretary Xi Jinping has stressed on many occasions that "China's door will never be closed. It will only open still wider" and that "China will adhere to its fundamental state policy of opening up and stay committed to opening up to promote reform, development and innovation. This will bring about opening up at an even higher level." The resolution makes specialized arrangements for opening up, including expanding institutional opening up, foreign trade structural reform, management systems for inward and outward investment, improving planning for regional opening up, and refining the mechanisms for high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. This makes China's determination to expand high-level opening up even clearer. China is now speeding up the creation of a new pattern of development. Relying on the advantages of a super-large domestic market, China will expand the depth and width of opening up while promoting a double development dynamic with the domestic economy as the mainstay and the domestic economy and international engagement providing mutual reinforcement. We shall create new advantages in our increasingly advanced open economy, actively participate in reforming global economic governance, and share development opportunities with countries worldwide to create a better future. Thank you.

People's Daily:

The third plenary session proposed a series of important reform measures according to the communique released by the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. The scope of these reform implementation measures is quite massive. We notice that the plenary session emphasized working with relentless persistence to ensure the implementation of reforms. How do we understand and implement this principle? Thank you. 

Mo Gaoyi:

Mr. Tang, please answer the question. 

Tang Fangyu:

Thank you for your question. The resolution stressed working with relentless persistence to ensure the implementation of reforms. It is the last of the 60 articles in the resolution and carries significant meaning.

We know that implementation is crucial to all work. It is often said that the worth of any plan lies in its implementation, reflecting an important understanding of the regular patterns in the development of causes and leadership activities. General Secretary Xi Jinping insightfully pointed out that without a focus on implementation, even the best goals and blueprints will remain as unattainable as flowers in the mirror or the moon in the water.

Here, I would like to especially mention that the deeper the reform goes, the more complex and acute the conflicts of interest it touches, the harder the challenges become, and the more difficult it is to make progress. Only by making greater efforts in implementation can we overcome all sorts of obstacles, break through the resistance of vested interests, benefit the vast majority of people with more and better achievements in modernization, and achieve ongoing successes in our reform agenda.

Regarding the implementation of the resolution's requirement to work with relentless persistence to ensure the implementation of reforms, I think we should focus on the following aspects:

First, we should fully understand the requirements for reforms. We need to correctly understand the overall planning for further deepening reform across the board, accurately grasp each reform measure's background, positioning, direction and implications, and clarify where the basis and key points of innovation lie, as well as boundaries of content and how it relates to other relevant reform measures. This approach will enable targeted and precise efforts to effectively implement reforms.

Second, we should make meticulous arrangements for implementation. We need to transform the resolution from a general framework into blueprints and concrete projects. We should determine the start and end times for various reform tasks based on their priority and urgency and advance their completion step by step.

Third, we should ensure that duties are delivered. We need to clarify the implementation bodies and responsibilities for each reform and clearly identify the leading units, participating units, responsibilities and responsible persons. For reform measures that span multiple fields and departments and are difficult for one unit to lead, Party committees and governments should directly organize their implementation. We must pursue these reforms deeply and thoroughly to prevent undefined obligations and responsibilities.

Fourth, we should strengthen supervision and oversight. We must continuously carry out specialized, overall and comprehensive inspections, focusing on identifying and solving problems. We will include the implementation status of major reforms in the scope of disciplinary inspections, evaluating reforms based on practical results and public satisfaction.

Fifth, we should make continuous efforts. We need to be fully aware of the complexity and difficulty of reforms, stick to the right direction, strengthen our determination to advance, take forceful steps and deliver tangible results, and keep moving forward until our goal is met through persistent work.

As long as the whole Party works with relentless persistence to ensure the implementation of deepening reforms comprehensively, we can make solid steps to build a great country and move toward national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization.

That's all for my answer. Thank you.

Guangming Daily:

Currently, there is an increasing demand for quality education. How can we narrow the education gaps between urban and rural areas, regions, schools and groups through deepening reforms so that every child can enjoy equitable and high-quality education? Thank you.

Mo Gaoyi:

Mr. Huai Jinpeng, please answer the question.

Huai Jinpeng: 

Thank you for your question! Ensuring every child has access to fair and quality education is essential for developing education with a people-centered approach. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, all 2,895 county-level administrative units in China have achieved a basic balance in compulsory education, and the level of education accessibility has seen historic progress. Preschool and compulsory education have reached the average level of high-income countries globally. Looking ahead, we will prioritize high-quality development as the lifeline for all levels and types of education. We will integrate the promotion of fairness into every aspect of comprehensive educational reform. We aim to drive a fundamental shift from simply "having schools to attend" to ensuring children are "attending good schools." We will focus on deepening four major reforms:

First, we will emphasize expanding, optimizing and improving the supply of high-quality educational resources in resource allocation. We will make forward-looking arrangements based on changes in the school-age population, optimize the regional allocation of educational resources, and establish a basic public education service supply mechanism that aligns with population changes. We will improve the mechanism for promoting high-quality and balanced development in compulsory education, deepen school group management and urban-rural paired assistance, and foster the growth of new high-quality schools, creating more "good schools" recognized by the public.

Second, in education and teaching, we will focus on student-centered approaches, strengthen quality education and promote the all-around development of all students. We will carry out the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education. We'll continually improve the relevance and appeal of the political education curriculum. Additionally, we'll enhance students' interest in sports, aesthetic abilities and work habits. Comprehensive mental health education will be widely promoted to support students' healthy growth. We will continue advancing the "double reduction" reform. This initiative aims to relieve students of excessive burdens from homework and off-campus tutoring, enhance classroom teaching quality, improve after-school services and strengthen the cultivation of core competencies. We will improve the collaborative education mechanism among schools, families and society. We'll enhance the care system for children living with their migrant worker parents in cities, left-behind children and children with disabilities. Our goal is to create a supportive environment across society.

Third, in terms of guarantee mechanisms, we will emphasize respecting teachers and valuing education, and build a high-quality, professional teaching force. We will further improve the teacher education system with Chinese characteristics and thoroughly implement the "National Outstanding Primary and Secondary School Teacher Training Plan." By leveraging world-class universities and world-class disciplines, we will expand the scale of high-level primary and secondary school teacher training. We will encourage outstanding principals and teachers to teach in rural and underperforming schools, improve guarantee and incentive mechanisms, and support teachers to teach in these schools effectively and play a leading role.

Fourth, in developing new pathways, we will emphasize digital empowerment and leverage new advantages in smart education. Digitalization of education is an effective approach to narrowing educational gaps and improving education quality. We will thoroughly implement the national strategy for digital education, strengthen and utilize the national smart education public service platform, and promote the widespread sharing of quality educational resources. We will vigorously advance the construction of smart campuses, develop AI-powered educational models tailored for China, and explore large-scale personalized and innovative teaching methods to better meet the public's demand for "good schooling."

That concludes my response. Thank you!

Mo Gaoyi:

Due to time constraints, we will take one last question.

Market News International:

Since the beginning of this year, foreign direct investment has continued to decrease. But foreign investors' interest in China's capital markets has been rising. What new measures will China take to expand opening and attract foreign investment? Thank you.

Mo Gaoyi:

Mr. Han, please answer this question.

Han Wenxiu:

Opening up is our basic national policy, and foreign-funded enterprises are important participants and contributors to China's economic development. Due to changes in the international environment and other factors, there has been a recent decline in the actual use of foreign investment. This is a temporary phenomenon. As the business environment improves and market opportunities increase, our use of foreign investment will continue to expand. The third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee made necessary arrangements to promote high-standard opening up and expand the use of foreign capital. Here, I will emphasize three points:

First, we will steadily expand institutional opening up. We will actively align with high-standard international economic and trade rules. We aim to achieve compatibility in rules, regulations, management and standards across various areas. These include property rights protection, industrial subsidies, environmental standards, labor protection, government procurement, e-commerce and finance. Additionally, we will establish an efficient, convenient and secure cross-border data flow mechanism. We will create a transparent, stable and predictable institutional environment. Recently, we implemented unilateral visa-free policies for several countries. These policies have been widely welcomed and achieved good results. We will further improve convenience measures for business travelers and tourists coming to China, focusing on areas such as residence, medical care and payments.

Second, we will further relax market access. We will promptly implement the requirement to remove all restrictions on foreign investment access in the manufacturing sector, expand the industry catalog of sectors encouraging foreign investment, and reasonably shorten the negative list for foreign investment access. We will expand the opening up of the service sector, fully implement the negative list for cross-border trade in services, and promote orderly opening in fields such as telecommunications, the internet, education, culture and healthcare. Additionally, we will accelerate the development of offshore trade.

Third, we will effectively ensure national treatment and protect the legitimate rights of foreign-funded enterprises. We will support the development of both domestic and foreign enterprises without discrimination. We'll guarantee national treatment for foreign enterprises in areas such as access to production factors, qualification permits, standards setting and government procurement. In recent years, many good practices have emerged across the country in protecting foreign enterprises' commercial secrets and intellectual property rights, effectively safeguarding their investment interests.

Currently, economic globalization faces significant challenges. Opposing unilateralism and protectionism, as well as maintaining global economic order and the security and stability of industrial and supply chains, are the shared responsibilities of governments and enterprises worldwide. China remains a fertile ground for investment from all countries. We will continue to foster a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized. We are willing to share the enormous opportunities presented by the development of China's new quality productive forces and our journey toward Chinese modernization. We look forward to witnessing foreign businesses grow together with the Chinese economy. Thank you.

Mo Gaoyi:

Thank you to all the speakers and members of the press. This concludes today's news conference.

Translated and edited by Guo Yiming, Zhang Jiaqi, Li Xiao, Qin Qi, Zhang Rui, Li Huiru, Mi Xingang, Liu Sitong, Cui Can, Liu Jianing, Wang Yiming, Wang Wei, He Shan, Zhang Lulu, Huang Shan, Yuan Fang, Zhou Jing, Zhang Junmian, Ma Yujia, Wang Qian, David Ball, Daniel Xu, and Jay Birbeck. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.

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Read in Chinese

Speakers:

Mr. Chen Yixin, secretary-general of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC)

Mr. Jiang Jinquan, director of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee

Mr. Mu Hong, deputy director in charge of routine work of the Office of the Central Commission for Comprehensively Deepening Reform and vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission

Mr. Wang Jianxin, director of the Publicity Department of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC and the National Supervisory Commission

Mr. Tang Fangyu, deputy director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Research Department of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee

Mr. Sun Yeli, deputy director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee

Chairperson:

Mr. Liu Siyang, secretary of the Leading Party Members Group of the All-China Journalists Association

Date:

Oct. 24, 2022

Liu Siyang:

Ladies and gentlemen, comrades, friends from the media, good morning. The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) successfully concluded on Oct. 22. Today we have invited officials from the CPC Central Committee to introduce and interpret the report to the 20th CPC National Congress. They are Mr. Chen Yixin, secretary-general of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee; Mr. Jiang Jinquan, director of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee; Mr. Mu Hong, deputy director in charge of routine work of the Office of the Central Commission for Comprehensively Deepening Reform of the CPC and vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission; Mr. Wang Jianxin, director of the Publicity Department of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC and the National Supervisory Commission; Mr. Tang Fangyu, deputy director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Research Department of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee; and Mr. Sun Yeli, deputy director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee.

Now, let's give the floor to Mr. Jiang for his introduction.

Jiang Jinquan:

Friends from the media, I will brief you mainly from two aspects.

First of all, I would like to briefly introduce the report to the 20th CPC National Congress.

The 20th CPC National Congress is a meeting of great importance. It took place at a critical time as the entire Party and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups embark on a new journey to build China into a modern socialist country in all respects and advance toward the Second Centenary Goal. It holds high its banner, pools all the strength, and promotes solidarity and dedication. Based on an analysis of the international and domestic environments, the report adopted at the congress sets out the theme of the congress, reviews the work of the past five years and the great changes in the first decade of the new era, and elaborates on major topics including a new frontier in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, the essential requirements of Chinese modernization and its features that are unique to the Chinese context, among others. It draws up a grand blueprint and practical path for building a great modern socialist country in all respects, and formulates policies, guidelines, and overall plans for advancing the cause of the Party and the country in the next five years. It is a political declaration and a program of action for the Party to unite the Chinese people of all ethnic groups and lead them in striving for new success of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era. It is a programmatic document of Marxism.

The report, produced by fully carrying forward intra-Party democracy and whole-process people's democracy, is a crystallization of the wisdom of the whole Party and the Chinese people. The CPC Central Committee conducted two rounds of appropriate intra-Party consultations, soliciting opinions from over 4,700 people, and carried out extensive consultations among the public via online channels, collecting over 8.5 million opinions. The report is a collection of practical experience and theoretical innovation of the Party and the people in the new era and a crystallization of the wisdom of the whole Party and society. It meets the expectations of the people, and will undoubtedly make significant and far-reaching impacts on the endeavor of the Party to rally the people and lead them in building a modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts. It will inevitably help the international community further understand the Party's governance philosophy, approaches, and capacity.

Next, I would like to share with you my understanding of the great changes in the first decade of the new era set forth in the report.

Part I concisely summarizes the work of the past five years since the 19th CPC National Congress, and reviews in detail the great changes in the first decade of the new era. Over the 10 years, China has moved onto a great new step in development, the cause of the Party and the country has broken new ground, and we have stepped up efforts to advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Over the 10 years, the Party has united and led the Chinese people of all ethnic groups to adopt a number of strategic measures, develop a range of transformative practices, and make a series of breakthroughs and landmark advances. We have withstood risks and challenges in the political, economic, ideological, and natural domains, secured historic achievements and seen historic changes in the cause of the Party and the country, and taken China on a new journey toward building a modem socialist country in all respects.

The great changes in the first decade of the new era, which are all-round, fundamental and critical to the whole landscape, are reflected in various respects including reform, development, stability, internal affairs, diplomacy, national defense, as well as running the Party, the country, and the military. The report to the 20th CPC National Congress, stirring and inspiring, summarizes the great transformation in the past decade in 16 respects, fully demonstrating the momentous journey we have traveled in achieving the great changes in the new era. For me, six respects are of most significance. First, we have secured the major political achievement of establishing Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and establishing the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The establishment of both Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has been a significant political choice of our Party since the 18th CPC National Congress. It is the most important political achievement in the first decade of the new era that underpins the great transformation. It is of decisive significance for developing the cause of the Party and the country as well as advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Second, the CPC has tempered itself through revolution and grown stronger. Over 10 years of exercising full and rigorous governance over the Party, the problem of lax and weak self-governance in Party organizations has been addressed at the root, serious hidden dangers in the Party, the country, and the military have been removed, the Party's bond with the people has become ever closer, and the Party has made profound headway. These are of critical and far-reaching significance to ensuring that the Party will never change its nature, its conviction, or its character and that the Party remains the strong leadership core in building socialism with Chinese characteristics. Third, we have successfully achieved the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. Over the past decade, we have implemented the new development philosophy, remained committed to high-quality development, deepened the supply-side structural reform, and accelerated the efforts to create a new pattern of development. We have mobilized the whole country and won the battle against poverty, resolved once and for all the problem of absolute poverty in China, and completed the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects as scheduled. We have fostered a great era unprecedented in China's history where across-the-board progress has been made in society and the economy and benefits have been enjoyed by all the people, providing more solid material foundations for achieving the Second Centenary Goal and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Fourth, our capacity for safeguarding national security has been significantly enhanced. Over the past decade, we have pursued a holistic approach to national security, ensured both development and security, improved the national security system, not yielded any ground on matters of principle, effectively addressed the provocation and sabotage by external forces concerning Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Xizang, the South China Sea, and other matters, and resolutely safeguarded China's sovereignty, security, and development interests. National security has thus been strengthened on all fronts. Fifth, our international standing has been remarkably increased. Over the past decade, we have pursued major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics on all fronts, promoted the development of a human community with a shared future, and stood firm in protecting international fairness and justice. We have advocated and practiced true multilateralism, taken a clear-cut stance against hegemonism and power politics in all their forms, and never wavered in our opposition to unilateralism, protectionism, and bullying of any kind. We have actively participated in the reform and development of the global governance system. China's international influence, appeal, and power to shape have risen markedly. Sixth, the strengths of our systems have been further unleashed. Over the past decade, we have comprehensively deepened reform with tremendous political courage, and firmly removed institutional obstacles in all areas. This has enabled us to put in place foundational institutional frameworks in all sectors, and to achieve historic, systemic, and holistic transformations in many fields. The system of socialism with Chinese characteristics has become more mature and well-defined, and China's system and capacity for governance have been further modernized, providing stronger institutional underpinnings for the long-term stability of the Party and the country as well as the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

We owe these great changes to the firm leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the united efforts and indomitable struggle of the whole Party, the entire military, and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, as well as the collective dedication and hard work of our Party and our people. These great changes will go down in history with lasting glory.

Thank you.

Liu Siyang:

Thank you, Mr. Jiang Jinquan. Now let's give the floor to Mr. Sun Yeli for his introduction. 

Sun Yeli:

Friends from the media, good morning! The report to the 20th CPC National Congress is a political declaration and a program of action for the CPC to lead the Chinese people of all ethnic groups to secure new successes in building socialism with Chinese characteristics. The report features great visions, deep insights, rich connotations, and profound thoughts. It encapsulates the innovations made in the Party's theories and practices since the 18th CPC National Congress, and provides a sound guidance for further innovations in this regard.

I will brief you on the important discourses in the report regarding promoting theoretical innovations and opening a new frontier in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

The second part of the report focuses on theoretical innovations. Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology upon which our Party and our country are founded and thrive, but our Party does not stubbornly adhere to specific discourses of certain classic theorists. Instead, we have been constantly working to adapt it to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, bearing in mind the new changes and practical demands emerging both in and outside of China, Chinese Communists represented by Comrade Xi Jinping have provided in-depth theoretical and practical answers to a series of epochal questions on the cause of the Party and the country as well as the Party's governance of China. Major theoretical innovations have been achieved, which are encapsulated in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The thought is Marxism of contemporary China and Marxism of the 21st century. It embodies the essence of Chinese culture and Chinese spirit, marking a new breakthrough in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. The 19th CPC National Congress and the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee have summarized the main points of the thought, which we must adhere to over the long term and continue to enrich and develop.

The report to the 20th CPC National Congress expounds on integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realties and fine traditional culture. It has greatly deepened our understanding of upholding and developing Marxism, and is a key for us to understand and gain a good command of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. I will elaborate on this.

First, integrating Marxism with China's specific realities, which has always been emphasized and pursued by the Party, is the most precious experience gained in the 100-year history of the Party, and is an effective instrument for the sustained success of the cause of the Party. During the New Democratic Revolution, based on China's realities, the CPC creatively developed a unique path of revolution, namely, the path of encircling cities from the countryside. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the CPC continued to explore the way of socialist construction to match China's realities. In the 1950s, Comrade Mao Zedong wrote the "On Ten Major Relationships." During the period of reform and opening up, the Party developed the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics. And after the 18th CPC National Congress, we established Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as a guiding ideology of the CPC. This is exactly a process of combining the tenets of Marxism with China's ever-changing realities. The CPC encountered dogmatism in its history, characterized by a departure from China's realities, and rigid adoption of classic doctrines and foreign experiences. It dealt severe blows to our cause, serving as a constant lesson for us. Therefore, General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized in the report that we should not treat Marxism as a rigid dogma, but should continue to free our minds, seek truth from facts, move with the times, and take a realistic and pragmatic approach. 

Second, we must integrate Marxism with the fine traditional culture of the Chinese nation. This was proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping at the ceremony marking the Party's founding centenary, and was then further elaborated in the report to the 20th CPC National Congress. This is another major innovation to the Party's theory system, opening a new paradigm of theoretical innovation of the Party. In fact, our system and path, as well as the lines, principles and policies of our Party, have always reflected China's fine traditional culture, yet it hasn't been made clear theoretically. It is of great significance for General Secretary Xi Jinping for the first time to make a clear statement on the integration. This is an insightful summarization of our history and a deep revelation of the laws governing the development of all things, leading us to the correct direction for future theoretical development. While embodying the new heights of Chinese Communists in their awareness and level of knowledge, it also reflected the strong cultural confidence and self-awareness of the CPC and the Chinese people. This integration is well founded. How did Marxism become the choice of the Chinese people in fierce competition with other theories after it was introduced to China? Not by chance. An important reason is that China's fine traditional culture naturally bonds with the propositions of scientific socialism values. In our Party's course of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, the Chinese civilization which dates back to ancient times has been rejuvenated by the power of Marxism as being truthful, and in turn, China's fine traditional culture nurtured Marxism with its rich cultural elements. So the Marxism adapted to the Chinese context has a distinct Chinese style and Chinese charisma. This second "integration" will be sure to bond even more closely the Party's theories with the more than 5,000 years' history of the splendid Chinese civilization, achieving more abundant ideological and cultural resources. Also, it will ensure that the Party's theories are more deeply rooted in China and in the hearts of hundreds of millions of Chinese people.

The report also explains the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, namely, the "six musts": we must put the people first; we must maintain self-confidence and stand on our own feet; we must uphold fundamental principles and break new ground; we must adopt a problem-oriented approach; we must apply systems thinking; and we must maintain a global vision. This fully exhibits the theoretical character and distinct features of this well-conceived thought, and also shows General Secretary Xi Jinping's dedication to stand firmly with the people, his confidence and pride in the nation, , his courage to uphold fundamental principles while breaking new ground, his strong awareness of problems, his holistic and systems thinking, and his broad mindedness which is like vast oceans admitting all rivers. We must have a firm grasp of and follow through these basic requirements when studying and practicing this thought.

That's all I want to say for now. Thank you all!

Liu Siyang:

Thank you to Mr. Sun. Mr. Mu, please speak next.

Mu Hong:

Hello, friends from the media. I will brief you on the strategic arrangements for pursuing high-quality development that are mentioned in the report to the 20th CPC National Congress.

The report points out that, to build a modern socialist country in all respects, we must, first and foremost, pursue high-quality development. Development is our Party's top priority in governing and rejuvenating China. Pursuing high-quality development as our overarching task, we will make sure that our implementation of the strategy to expand domestic demand is integrated with our efforts to deepen supply-side structural reform; we will boost the dynamism and reliability of the domestic economy while engaging at a higher level in the global economy; and we will move faster to build a modernized economy. We will raise total factor productivity, make China's industrial and supply chains more resilient and secure, and promote integrated urban-rural development and coordinated regional development, so as to effectively upgrade and appropriately expand China's economic output.

When learning and understanding the guiding principles of the report to the 20th CPC National Congress, one may ask a question: why does the report say that pursuing high-quality development is our overarching task in building a modern socialist country in all respects and stress that it is an essential requirement of Chinese modernization? Since the reform and opening up policy was adopted, we have always taken development as the foundation of and the key to addressing all problems. From the strategic thinking of development being of paramount importance to taking development as the Party's top priority in governance, and from the Scientific Outlook on Development to the new development philosophy, the Party's philosophy on development has been constantly updated, enriched and innovated in light of changes in the development stages and tasks. In the new era, the principal contradiction facing Chinese society is that between unbalanced and inadequate development and the people's ever-growing needs for a better life. The contradictions and problems in development are more closely related to the quality of development. In building a modern socialist country in all respects, we must uphold a people-centered philosophy of development, work faster to transform the growth model, make economic growth more innovation-driven, and work hard for better quality, higher efficiency and more robust growth drivers through reform, so as to raise the quality and level of development. The CPC Central Committee has underlined that implementing the new development philosophy and pursuing high-quality development are a profound transformation concerning the success of China's modernization drive, and the GDP growth should no longer be taken as the sole criterion for evaluating performance. Instead, we will strive for high-quality development, with innovation being the primary driving force, coordination being an endogenous feature, green development being a prevailing mode, openness being an essential path, and sharing being the fundamental goal. That is why the report places the quality of development at a more prominent position, with requirements illustrated for high-quality development in various fields including the economy, society, culture and ecology.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has made a series of important judgments and strategic deployments on development in the new era. At its fifth plenary session, the 18th CPC Central Committee put forward a new development philosophy emphasizing innovative, coordinated, green and open development for all. The 19th CPC National Congress pointed out that China's economy had been transitioning from a phase of rapid growth to a stage of high-quality development. At its fifth plenary session, the 19th CPC Central Committee clearly put forward that we should prioritize promoting high-quality development, and work faster to foster a new development pattern that is focused on the domestic economy and features positive interplay between domestic and international economic flows. Over the past decade, China's economic and technological strength, and composite national strength have increased significantly, with its position as the world's second largest economy consolidated. The per capita GDP has increased to 81,000 yuan. In the meanwhile, the ratio of the country's input into research and development to its GDP rose to 2.44% in 2021 from 1.91% in 2012, and its ranking on the Global Innovation Index rose from the 34th to the 11th. The urbanization rate went up from 53.1% to 64.7%. The ratio between the per capita disposable income of urban and rural residents dropped from 2.88:1 to 2.5:1. The average life expectancy rose to 78.2 years. The size of middle-income group has been steadily expanded. Nearly 100 million poor rural residents have been lifted out of poverty. We have built the largest education, social security and healthcare systems in the world, witnessed historic, transformative and comprehensive changes in ecological environment, and proactively prevented and defused various risks. All these facts show that China has gradually improved the quality of development.

The report to the 20th CPC National Congress has made it clear that pursuing high-quality development is our overarching task in building a modern socialist country in all respects. This further highlights that development quality is of overall and long-term significance. The report also makes strategic arrangements on how to boost high-quality development in the following major aspects:

First, we will accelerate the creation of a new development pattern. We will expand domestic demand as a strategic move, deepen supply-side structural reform, accelerate the development of a unified domestic market, promote the full flow of various kinds of production factors, modernize the industrial system, make China's industrial and supply chains more resilient and secure, and deeply involve ourselves in the global industrial division of labor and cooperation. In such a way, we will foster a new pattern of development that is focused on the domestic economy and features positive interplay between domestic and international economic flows.

Second, we will resolutely implement the innovation-driven development strategy and seek impetus through innovation. We will improve the new system for mobilizing resources nationwide to make key technological breakthroughs, boost China's strength in strategic science and technology, and achieve breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields. We will promote social and economic development through greater sci-tech self-reliance and enhance the quality and efficiency of real economy through innovation. In the meantime, we will also optimize the ecosystem for sci-tech innovation and build a multi-layered innovation system involving multiple actors.

Third, we will build a high-standard socialist market economy and seek vitality through reform. We will make better use of our "game-changing move" which is reform and opening up and continue reforms to develop the socialist market economy. We will unswervingly consolidate and develop the public sector and unswervingly encourage, support, and guide the development of the non-public sector. We will work to see that the market plays the decisive role in resource allocation and that the government better plays its role, and fully motivate and protect all sectors to use their enthusiasm and creativity to promote socialist modernization.

Fourth, we will advance rural revitalization across the board. We will focus on pursuing integrated development of urban and rural areas and facilitate the flows of production factors between them. We will promote the comprehensive revitalization of rural industries, talents, culture, ecology, and organizations, and foster agricultural and rural modernization.

Fifth, we will focus on promoting coordinated regional development. We will implement major regional strategies and enable developed and under-developed regions, as well as the eastern, middle and western regions and the northeastern region, to complement each other with their respective strength and pursue common development, in a bid to make solid efforts to foster common prosperity among all the people.

Sixth, we will promote high-standard opening up. We will leverage the strengths of China's enormous market to attract global resources and production factors, in a bid to promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative and engage at a higher level in the global economy. We will steadily expand institutional opening up and establish an open economy featuring shared benefits and win-win outcomes, diversification and balanced development, as well as safety and efficiency.

In conclusion, the 20th CPC National Congress has made important arrangements focusing on the high-quality development. We need to fully grasp and resolutely put into practice these arrangements and earnestly fulfill the requirements of high-quality development in all aspects of our work.

Against the backdrop of a challenging and complex international landscape nowadays, some friends both at home and abroad are concerned about China's development. I believe that the strategic measures proposed in the report to the 20th CPC National Congress, which focus on both current and future issues, are certainly conducive to removing misgivings and boosting confidence.

Thank you.

Liu Siyang:

Thank you, Mr. Mu. Next, I'll give the floor to Mr. Chen.

Chen Yixin:

Friends from the media, good morning. I will brief you on my understanding about exercising law-based governance on all fronts and advancing the rule of law in China.

For the first time, the report to the 20th CPC National Congress has taken advancing the rule of law as a separate section and made arrangements accordingly. This fully shows that the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has attached great importance to exercising law-based governance on all fronts. First, from a political point of view, the report has further pledged the Party's resolve to advance the rule of law. The report has also demonstrated that the Party is brave in revolution, adept in construction and bold in reform; and that the Party believes in the rule of law, stands fast to the rule of law, and strives to develop the rule of law. The report is the Party's political declaration to exercising law-based governance on all fronts. Second, from a theoretical point of view, the report has further enriched and developed Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law and deepened the understanding of the laws on CPC's law-based governance, on the socialist rule of law, and on the rule of law in human society. The report is an instrumental document for the Party to advance the rule of law in China. Third, from a practical point of view, the report has further deepened and expanded the Party and nation's work arrangements in this field in the new era, and demonstrated that all work of the state will be carried out under the rule of law. This is a significant measure for the Party to exercise the governance of the nation.

The report to the 20th CPC National Congress gives a comprehensive explanation of the status and role, overall requirements and key tasks of advancing the rule of law. In my opinion, there are mainly five aspects in this regard. 

First, the report highlights the principles in advancing the rule of law, which is the overall requirement for advancing the rule of law in the new era. The report explains the position of the comprehensive advancement of law-based governance in the country's overall work, clarifies the general requirements for advancing the rule of law in the new era, which has taken hold of the principles and enables everything fall in place. We must uphold Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law as our guide. We must, with a focus on the overall goal of developing a Chinese system of socialist rule of law and establishing China as a socialist country under the rule of law, uphold the unity between Party leadership, the running of the country by the people, and law-based governance, and firmly stay on the path of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics. Only in this way, can we steadily advance the rule of law in China in the new era.

Second, the report highlights the rules for advancing the rule of law, which is to improve the socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics with the Constitution at its core. Laws are the paramount rules to observe in governance. To improve the socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics, we must continue to make legislation our top priority, and give full play to its guiding and driving role. We will step up legislation in key, emerging, and foreign-related fields and make further headway in making laws in a well-conceived and democratic way and in accordance with the law. We will see that legislative work is more systematic, holistic, coordinated, and responsive, so that good laws are made to promote development and ensure good governance.

Third, the report highlights the key task in advancing the rule of law, which is to steadily advance law-based government administration. Building a law-based government is a key task and major part of comprehensively advancing law-based governance. Only when the government takes the lead to advance law-based administration and comply with the law, can the country realize orderly development under the rule of law. With regard to administrative law enforcement, we will advance structural reform to ensure that it is strict, procedure-based, impartial, and civil across the board, and enhance oversight mechanisms and capacity. We will make further progress in building law-based government.

Fourth, the report highlights the priority in advancing the rule of law, which is to ensure strict and impartial administration of justice. An impartial judiciary is the last line of defense for social fairness and justice. We will deepen comprehensive and integrated reform of the judicial system, fully and faithfully enforce judicial accountability. We will ensure the well-regulated exercise of judicial power and enhance checks and oversight on judicial activities. We will accelerate the development of a fair, efficient, and authoritative socialist judicial system, so that the people can really feel justice has been served in their everyday lives.

Fifth, the report highlights the foundation for advancing the rule of law, which is to step up efforts to establish the rule of law throughout society. A society based on the rule of law is the foundation on which we can build a country under the rule of law. It is a long-term and fundamental task to make everyone in the country to believe in and promote the rule of law. We will promote socialist rule of law and carry forward fine traditional Chinese legal culture. We will carry out intensive activities to raise public awareness of the rule of law. We will see that leading officials play an exemplary role and Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law takes root in the minds of the people and make respecting, learning about, observing, and applying the law common practice throughout society.

Thank you.

Liu Siyang:

Thank you, Mr. Chen Yixin. Now, let's give the floor to Mr. Tang Fangyu for his introduction.

Tang Fangyu:

Friends from the media, good morning. I would like to share with you my understanding of the important expositions and arrangements on Party building set out in the report to the 20th CPC National Congress.

Our Party has a pivotal role in building China into a modern socialist country in all respects and in advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts, so we must ensure that the Party practices effective self-supervision and full and rigorous self-governance. Our Party is the core force leading the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the backbone of the nation as we respond to challenges. The leadership of the CPC is the greatest strength of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. To accomplish the missions and tasks of the CPC on the new journey of the new era, we must firmly uphold and strengthen the Party's overall leadership, and advance the great new project of Party building in the new era. This requirement is reflected in every part of the report to the 20th CPC National Congress, including the review of achievements and experiences, the analysis of the situation and the environment, the launch of objectives and tasks, and the introduction of policies and measures.

The report has a dedicated section which makes important arrangements on "exercising full and rigorous self-governance and advancing the great new project of Party building in the new era." It stresses upholding and strengthening the centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, enhancing cohesion and forging the Party's soul with the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, improving the systems and regulations for the Party's self-reform, cultivating officials capable of shouldering the mission of national rejuvenation, enhancing the political and organizational functions of Party organizations, taking strict steps to improve Party conduct and enforce Party discipline, and winning the tough and protracted battle against corruption. 

My understanding is that this section highlights four aspects. The first is the Party's self-reform. To have the courage to carry out self-reform is the most distinctive part of our Party's character, its hallmark, and the second answer to the question of how to escape the historical cycle of rise and fall that the Party has found in its practices of exercising full and rigorous self-governance in the new era. The report fully demonstrates the Party's self-reform spirit, responds to problems, risks and challenges, and stresses that self-reform is a journey to which there is no end. The report sets out targeted tasks and measures for all initiatives of Party building, which focus on comprehensively advancing our efforts to purify, improve, renew, and excel ourselves. The second is the systems for exercising full and rigorous self-governance. Exercising full and rigorous self-governance has been a salient theme of Party building since the 18th CPC National Congress. Strengthening Party leadership is central to the endeavor, full coverage is the foundation, being rigorous is the key, and governance is the most crucial link in the chain. Therefore, full and rigorous Party self-governance needs to be exercised in a systematic manner. The report says that we must meet the overall requirements for Party building in the new era, improve the systems for exercising full and rigorous self-governance, and strengthen overall planning and move forward in a coordinated manner to ensure full and rigorous self-governance in all fields and aspects of Party building. The third is strengthening ourselves politically as the overarching guide for all other initiatives of Party building. The Party's political building is of fundamental importance to the Party. The report stresses that upholding the centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee is the highest political principle, and prioritizes "upholding and strengthening the centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee" among tasks for Party building, demonstrating the utmost importance of continuously enhancing the Party's political building on the new journey. The fourth is integrating the Party's ideological work and institution building efforts, which represents an important experience in exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance in the new era. The report urges efforts to strengthen the ideals and convictions of our Party members, and arm the whole Party with the Party's new theories as well as efforts to continue to run the Party with systems and regulations and improve the systems and regulations for the Party's self-reform. By doing so, we hope to bring into full play the guiding role of ideology and the regulatory role of institutions in an integrated, concerted, and mutually reinforcing way.

After taking into account the opinions from all sides and to act upon the call of Party organizations at all levels and all Party members, the 20th CPC National Congress made appropriate revisions to the Party Constitution to make it fully embody the latest achievements in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of our times, the new ideas, new thinking, and new strategies on national governance the CPC Central Committee has developed since the 19th CPC National Congress, and the new experience the Party has gained in its work and Party building. The revision to the Party Constitution is of great significance in advancing the great new project of Party building in the new era. To study and understand the statements and deployments of the 20th CPC National Congress on Party building, it is necessary to refer both to the report to the congress and to the Party Constitution.

Thank you.

Liu Siyang:

Thank you, Mr. Tang. Now I'll give the floor to Mr. Wang Jianxin.

Wang Jianxin:

Good morning, friends from the media. 

I will mainly share my understanding about the content of the report to the 20th CPC National Congress on unswervingly exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance, improving Party conduct, enforcing Party disciplines, and combating corruption. The whole report underlines the political principle to uphold and strengthen the Party's overall leadership and the centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, the political awareness of the need for full and rigorous Party self-governance, and the political requirement to use the Party's own transformation to steer social transformation.

The report says right at the start of its fifteenth part that our Party has a pivotal role in building China into a modem socialist country in all respects and in advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts, and we must always stay alert and determined to tackle the special challenges that a large party like ours faces. Our Party, as the world's largest political party and largest Marxist governing party with a history of 100 years, must always maintain solidarity and unity, preserve our Party membership's advanced nature and integrity, and stay as united as one piece of adamantine iron. The report demands that all of us in the Party bear in mind that full and rigorous Party self-governance is an unceasing endeavor and that self-reform is a journey to which there is no end. The Party must remain strict in exercising full and rigorous self-governance and keep sounding the bugle against corruption.

First, we will enhance political oversight with a focus to uphold the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee. The leadership of the CPC is the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics and upholding the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee is the highest political principle. The report stresses that the Party's leadership is comprehensive, systematic, and integrated, and therefore must be exercised in a comprehensive, systematic, and integrated way. Hence, it is imperative to uphold and strengthen the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee as an important task in strengthening the Party politically and conduct concrete, targeted, and regular political oversight. We must ensure that the whole Party will acquire a deep understanding of the decisive significance of establishing Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and establishing the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, firmly uphold Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and uphold the Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership, closely follow the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core in political stance, orientation, principles, and path. We must also ensure that all Party members gain a good command of the missions and tasks of the Party for the new journey of the new era and that the major thinking, viewpoints, strategies, and measures set forth at the 20th CPC National Congress are put in place.

Second, we will improve the systems and regulations for the Party's self-reform. The report reflects our commitment to the strategic thinking of the Party's self-reform and stresses institutional support for it. The report requires us to continue to run the Party with systems and regulations, improve the framework of Party regulations, increase their authority, and fully enforce them. We will put in place mechanisms for upholding truth, correcting errors, uncovering problems, and remedying failings. The report highlights that we should improve the total-coverage, authoritative, and highly effective oversight system under the Party's unified leadership and refine the mechanisms for overseeing power and keeping it in check. We will generate synergy between various forms of oversight with intra-Party oversight serving as the mainstay, and we will ensure that power is exercised in broad daylight.

Third, we will continue to take strict steps to improve Party conduct and enforce Party discipline. In the new era of exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance, we kicked off our efforts by formulating and implementing the central Party leadership's eight-point decision on improving conduct. In the past 10 years, we investigated and handled 761,000 cases for violating the eight-point decision and 683,000 people were given Party and administrative discipline punishments. The report once again warns the whole Party: Good conduct is critical to the survival of a governing party. We must maintain a close bond with the people. Party officials should conduct in-depth research and studies and immerse themselves in hard work, take concrete measures, and deliver solid outcomes. We should steadfastly implement the central Party leadership's eight-point decision on improving conduct. We will go to great lengths to tackle recurrent problems of "the four malfeasances," i.e., pointless formalities, bureaucratism, hedonism, and extravagance, and deal with the new features of pointless formalities and bureaucratism. We must make all-around efforts to tighten Party discipline. We will urge leading officials to be strict with themselves, earnestly fulfill their responsibilities, and conduct rigorous management within their jurisdictions. All violations of Party discipline, once identified, must be resolutely investigated and punished without hesitation or tolerance.

Fourth, we are determined to win the tough and protracted battle against corruption. Corruption is a cancer to the Party, and fighting corruption is the most thorough kind of self-reform. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has led the Party to wage a battle against corruption on a scale unprecedented in our history. In the decade-long battle, we have realized the reshaping of the anti-corruption leadership system, organization, workforce, as well as the mechanisms to ensure accountability and the enforcement of disciplines and laws. We have achieved an overwhelming victory and fully consolidated the gains in our fight against corruption. The report profoundly points out that as long as the breeding grounds and conditions for corruption still exist, we must never rest, not even for a minute, in our fight against corruption. We will continue to take a strong stance and exert greater efforts to take simultaneous, coordinated, and comprehensive steps to ensure that officials do not have the audacity, opportunity, or desire to become corrupt; we will put greater emphasis on resolutely preventing leading officials from acting for any interest group or power group; we will take firm action to swat "flies," or corrupt low-ranking officials, whose misconduct directly affects people's lives; and we will work hard to improve systems for preventing corruption from being fostered and spreading. We will secure more institutional achievements and greater efficiency in fighting corruption.

Thank you!

Liu Siyang:

Thank you, Mr. Wang Jianxin. The floor is now open to questions. Please identify the media outlet you represent before raising questions.

People's Daily:

My questions are: Why do we call the changes in the first decade of the new era "great changes"? How do we understand these great changes and their significance as milestones? Thank you.

Jiang Jinquan:

Thanks for your questions. As I said in my opening remarks just now, the great changes in the first decade of the new era are all-round, fundamental, and critical to the whole landscape, and their impacts are holistic and historic, so we call them "great changes." Over the past decade, we have faced immense risks, challenges, issues and problems, arduous tasks of getting things straight at the source and of restoring order and clearing fallacies, as well as enormous difficulties in conquering fortresses and removing deep-seated problems. Given these obstacles rarely seen in the world and in history, the changes we have made did not come easily.

Here are some of my thoughts. First, great changes have been achieved in resolving the prominent issues in the Party. Over the past decade, the CPC Central Committee has unswervingly strengthened the overall leadership of the Party, advanced full and rigorous Party self-governance, and focused on addressing the issues with respect to a slide toward weak, hollow, and watered-down Party leadership in practice. The CPC Central Committee has worked ceaselessly to rectify pointless formalities, bureaucratism, hedonism, and extravagance, firmly cracked down on corruption, removed hidden political dangers in the Party, and eliminated hidden concerns that the Party will not sustain. As a result, the Party's leadership has become stronger, and the political environment in the Party has taken on a completely new look. These efforts have provided fundamental political underpinnings for achieving the great transformation.

Second, great changes have been achieved in solving the prominent issues concerning economic and social development. In the face of economic and social issues that have been building for years and with a number of new issues emerging from changes both in and outside China, including the turbulent wave of economic, scientific, and technological decoupling stirred up by some Western countries, the CPC Central Committee and General Secretary Xi Jinping have proposed a series of new ideas, concepts, and measures, particularly proposing and implementing the new development philosophy and promoting the creation of a new development pattern. This has not only effectively dealt with the triple pressures of shrinking demand, disrupted supply, and weakening expectations, but also laid the foundation for China's stable and secure development in the long term.

Third, great changes have been achieved in responding to external risks and challenges. Over the past decade, confronted with drastic changes in the international landscape and external attempts to blackmail, contain, blockade, and exert maximum pressure on China, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has led all the Chinese people in maintaining firm strategic resolve, showing a fighting spirit, not being swayed by fallacies, deterred by intimidation, or cowed by pressure, and resolutely conducting tit-for-tat fighting. These efforts have effectively safeguarded China's dignity and core interests and firmly kept ourselves well-positioned for pursuing development and ensuring security. 

Judging from the three aspects, the great changes over the past decade in the new era did not come easily. They came from mitigating various risks and surmounting challenges and turbulent waves of issues. They were the result of the whole Party and all Chinese people striving in unity and fighting with determination. 

The report concludes that the great transformation over the past 10 years in the new era marks a milestone. This can be perceived, in my opinion, from five respects.

First, the great transformation has forged a strong leadership core for the great cause of national rejuvenation. Our Party has secured the major political achievement of establishing Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and establishing the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and found a second answer to the question of how to escape the historical cycle of rise and fall. The answer is self-reform. Our Party has grown stronger, become more unified, and gained fresh vigor.

Second, the great transformation has promoted the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation into an irreversible historical course. We have completed the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects as scheduled, won the battle against poverty, and taken the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics on a new journey toward building a great modern socialist country in all respects. These have provided stronger institutional underpinnings, more solid material foundations, and a more active source of inspiration for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Third, the great transformation has enhanced the Chinese people's confidence, self-reliance, and strength. The historic achievements and changes in the new era have greatly enhanced Chinese people's confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The Chinese people are more inspired than ever to forge ahead, more resolved than ever to work hard, and more confident than ever of securing success. They are filled with a stronger sense of history and initiative. Now, the Chinese people are staying confident and building strength, view themselves as the equals of any other in the world, and have a firmer sense of purpose, fortitude, and self-belief in creating new great historic achievements. 

Fourth, the great transformation has injected strong positive energy into world peace and development. Over the past decade, China has contributed to an annual average of around 30% of global economic growth and 70% of global poverty alleviation. The concept of building a human community with a shared future has been widely praised by the international community, the public goods including the Belt and Road Initiative have provided strong drivers for global development, and Chinese modernization has created a new form of human advancement. All of these have greatly influenced the global development landscape.

Fifth, the great transformation has demonstrated the strong vitality of Marxism. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is Marxism of contemporary China and Marxism of the 21st century. The great transformation over the past decade in the new era has fully demonstrated the power of Marxist theory as being truthful and practical, greatly enhanced the convictions of the Party and Chinese people in upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, and remarkably strengthened the confidence of people across the world, especially those from developing countries, in Chinese models and socialist movements. Thank you.

Asahi Shimbun:

The report to the 20th CPC National Congress mentions "a Chinese path to modernization," which we believe is a key phrase on China's future. What is its essential meaning? The report also says that "Chinese modernization offers humanity a new choice for achieving modernization." Does this mean that China intends to export its development model to other countries? Thank you.  

Sun Yeli:

Thank you for your questions. You must have studied the report carefully as you noticed the key phrase "Chinese modernization." Modernization is a common pursuit of people across the world, but each country has its own way of achieving it. There is no model of modernization that fits all circumstances or overarching standards on modernization. The Chinese path to modernization contains elements that are common to the modernization process of all countries, but it is more characterized by features that are unique to the Chinese context. Thus we have called it "Chinese modernization."

The report to the 20th CPC National Congress expounds on the five traits of Chinese modernization. First, it is the modernization of a huge population. China has a population of more than 1.4 billion, and it faces great constraints in its resources and environment. China's unique national conditions determine that its modernization cannot rigidly adopt foreign approaches, and that its pathways of development and methods of advancement will be unique. The modernization of such a huge population faces unparalleled difficulty and complexity, and carries unprecedented significance and influence. The modernization on such a large scale will also be a great contribution to the human society. We are thus aware of our huge responsibilities in this endeavor. 

Second, Chinese modernization is the modernization of common prosperity for all. It is determined by the nature of socialism with Chinese characteristics. We will not tolerate polarization. Instead, we will work to ensure that all Chinese people enjoy a good life, and that they can participate in the process of modernization according to their own capabilities and share the fruits of China's development according to their own contributions. We will leave no group behind. Of course, common prosperity is not equal to egalitarianism, and still less does it mean robbing the rich to help the poor. It is a process of some people getting rich first and those who get rich first helping those who lag behind. Meanwhile, common prosperity involves a long historical process; it cannot be achieved in one go. But we will work toward it with steadfast resolve. The fact that nearly 100 million rural poor people have been lifted out of poverty since the 18th CPC National Congress is a prime example. 

Third, Chinese modernization is the modernization of material and cultural-ethical advancement. One big drawback to the modernization of some countries is excessive materialism. A strong material foundation and material abundance are of course an integral part of modernization. Nonetheless, it will be a tragedy for humanity if people get too materialistic, have no healthy spiritual aspirations or a rich spiritual life at all, and become what sociologists call "one-dimensional man," and succumb to a material desire instead of pursuing a multi-dimensional human nature. This is not something we want. What we would like to see is both material abundance and cultural-ethical enrichment, as well as people's well-rounded development.

Fourth, Chinese modernization is the modernization of harmony between humanity and nature. If we look at the world history of modernization, we will find that damage to the environment is a common problem amid industrialization and urbanization. China also had made blunders before, but after the 18th CPC National Congress, we resolutely halted environmental damage, and brought about historic, transformative, and comprehensive changes in ecological and environmental protection. The idea put forth by General Secretary Xi Jinping that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets has been embraced by the people and integrated into our institutions, policies, and culture. We will remain firmly committed to the path of sustainable development. 

Fifth, Chinese modernization is the modernization of peaceful development. In pursuing modernization, China will not tread the old path of war, colonization, and plunder taken by some countries. We are dedicated to peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit, which is determined by our system and culture. Peaceful development is in the fundamental interests of China, and we will continue to pursue it and hope that other countries pursue it as well. 

You asked whether China intends to export its development model. Our stance and attitude have been consistent and clear. We do not import development models and firmly oppose any attempt of other countries to force their models on us; we also do no export our model and ask other countries to copy it. Every country's efforts to independently explore a modernization path that fits their conditions should be respected. The statement that "Chinese modernization offers humanity a new choice for achieving modernization" serves as an advocation of the diversity of humanity, and shows our attitude toward promoting exchange and mutual learning among different civilizations and countries. If the international community is interested in learning about and drawing on China's experience we are willing to share. At the same time, China is learning about, studying, and drawing on other countries' experience with all sincerity. 

Thank you.

CCTV:

The report to the 20th CPC National Congress points out the need to invigorate China through science and education and develop a strong workforce for the modernization drive. Compared with the reports to previous Party national congresses, this is different in terms of the content arrangement, as it puts education, science and technology, and human resources together in one section. This has caught the public's attention. What are the strategic intentions of this arrangement? Thank you.

Mu Hong:

Thank you for the question. Indeed, the strategy for invigorating China through science and education, the workforce development strategy, and the innovation-driven development strategy are all major national strategies proposed by the CPC Central Committee, which need to be adhered to over the long term and concern key issues involved in the high-quality development of China's modernization drive. Based on the Party's historic mission on the new journey and in the new era, the CPC Central Committee holds the perspective of highlighting the core position of innovation in China's overall modernization drive and has made coordinated arrangements on science and technology, education, and human resources as a whole in the fifth section of the report to the 20th CPC National Congress.

As you said, in the reports to previous CPC national congresses, science and technology were set out under the section of economic development, education was under the section of social development, and human resources was under the section of Party building. Following the requirement put forward by General Secretary Xi Jinping on strengthening systems thinking, the report to the 20th CPC National Congress has for the first time put these three major strategies together. This is an innovative step and has profound significance. While insisting that education, science and technology, and human resources are the fundamental and strategic pillars for building a modern socialist country in all respects, such an arrangement also stresses the links between the three in creating and developing new driving forces and advantages through coordination and systematic efforts.

These three major strategies jointly serve the development of an innovative country. First, we will continue to give high priority to the development of education. We will fully implement the Party's educational policy, carry out the basic task of fostering virtue through education, and nurture a new generation of capable young people with sound moral grounding, intellectual ability, physical vigor, aesthetic sensibility and work skills who will fully develop socialism and carry forward the socialist cause. We will continue to follow a people-centered approach to developing education, move faster to build a high-quality educational system, promote fairness in education, promote people's well-rounded development, and improve the overall caliber of the population. Second, we will continue the innovation-driven development strategy. We will improve the new system for mobilizing resources nationwide to make key technological breakthroughs. We will strengthen basic research, and work to make breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields and enhance innovation capacity. We will also improve systems for scientific and technological innovation, and move faster to achieve great self-reliance and strength in science and technology. Third, we will continue regarding talent as our primary resource. We will improve the strategic distribution of human resources, speed up efforts to build a contingent of personnel with expertise of strategic importance, and further reform the systems and mechanisms for talent development. We will cultivate a large workforce of high-quality talent who have both integrity and professional competence and attract the brightest minds from all over. Thank you.

NBC:

We are hearing China's campaign for common prosperity and against disorganized expansion of capital. But on the other hand, we are also witnessing China's roaring economic growth seemingly coming to an end, with reports of high unemployment especially among the youth and escalating U.S. trade and technology control measures that could suppress China's growth. So, based on the 20th Congress, what is the principle contradiction here that China should tackle first: growing the economic pie bigger and faster, or dividing the economic pie more fairly? Of course, both are important, but which one should be prioritized? Thank you.

Thank you. It is a very good question. It could be said that common prosperity is the dream of humankind, but it is not easy to realize. You just mentioned whether we should grow the economic pie bigger before dividing it. In my view, this issue also concerns social system. In the capitalist system, which is capital-based, maximum capital benefits are pursued, and thus, common prosperity cannot be achieved in a real sense. However, the socialist system offers the conditions and the possibility to realize it. I would like to break my answer to your questions into five aspects.

First, the goal of achieving common prosperity for all, on the one hand, is determined by the Party's nature and purpose, and our Party is the one serving the people wholeheartedly. On the other hand, it is determined by the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, which is a distinctive feature of Chinese modernization. Common prosperity is one of the five features of Chinese modernization, and an unswerving goal of the Party. Our Party unites and leads the people to carry out revolution, construction, and reform, so that the people live a happier life. This is determined by the Party's original aspiration and founding mission, ideals and convictions, and nature and purpose. The report to the 20th CPC National Congress contains further elaborations on this point.

Second, we have always been exploring ways to achieve common prosperity. Since reform and opening up, we have been encouraging some regions and some people to create wealth as a first step to bringing prosperity for all. In the first decade of the new era, we have lifted nearly 100 million people out of poverty and eliminated absolute poverty that had plagued China for thousands of years. These have been our exact efforts to progress toward common prosperity. Therefore, we are making solid steps toward common prosperity, and the elimination of extreme poverty has laid a solid foundation and accumulated valuable experience for further steps toward common prosperity.

Third, to advance common prosperity, we must properly deal with the relationship between making the pie and sharing it. You also mentioned it in your questions. Now that one can only share a pie if he or she has one, so in logic, one should make the pie first. Only when the pie is well made, it could be fairly shared. On the one hand, we will keep up economic development as our central task, regard development as the CPC's top priority in governance, and pursue high-quality development, so as to grow the pie bigger and better through concerted efforts of all the people. On the other hand, we will ensure and enhance wellbeing of the public in the course of development, uphold the distribution system in which distribution according to work is the principal part that coexists with other forms of distribution, build a basic system to arrange and coordinate the primary, secondary, and tertiary distribution, strive to raise the proportion of individual income in the national income, increase the proportion of work remuneration in primary distribution, improve our policies and systems for distribution based on factors of production, ensure good order in income distribution, and improve the way wealth is accumulated, so as to divide the pie well, share it fairly and prevent polarization through sound institutional arrangements.

Fourth, achieving common prosperity for all involves a long historical process that cannot be rushed or delayed. "Cannot be rushed" means we must further unleash and develop productive forces, continuously create and accumulate social wealth, and steadily improve people's living standards while basing our efforts on China's realities, bearing in mind the fact that China is still a developing country, and following the law of economic and social development. "Cannot be delayed" means we must take effective measures, actively create conditions, and improve systems to gradually narrow the gap in income distribution; instead of waiting to address the wealth gap until we become developed, we should address it step by step during the process of development, so that people will genuinely feel the effects of continuous progress toward common prosperity.

Fifth, we should now strive to maintain stable macroeconomic performance and sound momentum of economic development. We must earnestly study and implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, fully implement the requirements for effective COVID-19 prevention, economic stability, and safe development, continue to ensure stability on six key fronts (employment, finance, foreign trade, inbound investment, domestic investment, and market expectations) and maintain security in six key areas (jobs, daily living needs, food and energy, industrial and supply chains, the interests of market players, and the smooth functioning of grassroots government), strive to resolve prominent issues and problems, and effectively avoid and mitigate various risks. In fact, China's economic performance since the COVID-19 outbreak has been relatively good compared with the world in general. Some of the difficulties we are facing now are universal. For example, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruption of industrial and supply chains, the Chinese economy has slowed down somewhat compared with the previous years. However, it is doing well overall, and is expected to get stronger, so we should have confidence in the Chinese economy. We should give priority to employment, continue to strengthen the real economy, actively support the development of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, strive to create more job and business opportunities, address difficulties in the employment of college graduates and other young people, and guide people to create a happy life through their own efforts. This is the prerequisite to making solid progress toward common prosperity for all. Thank you.

Legal Daily:

In the section "improving the social governance system" in the report to the 20th CPC National Congress, the word "community" appears many times, which demonstrates the importance attached to social governance at the community level. What efforts will be made to strengthen and promote innovation in community-level governance? Thank you.

Chen Yixin:

Thank you for your question. General Secretary Xi Jinping has stressed that a country will prosper only when its communities prosper and stability at the community level brings peace to the world. Communities stand on the frontline of social governance and constitute the foundation of the Chinese governance model. The key to strengthening and promoting innovation in community-level governance is to apply and further develop the "Fengqiao model" in the new era, and to do our best to see that problems are resolved as they emerge at the community level. From my understanding, we should make greater efforts in the following aspects to strengthen and promote innovation in social governance at the community level:

First, more efforts must be made to crack down on crime and other violations. We should, based on the public security situation at the community level, work in accordance with the law to combat illegal and criminal activities that cause grave public concern. We will continue to maintain a tough stance against illegal and criminal activities, cracking down on them as soon as they emerge and at an early stage, so as to earnestly protect people's lives and property.

Second, more efforts must be made to handle problems and disputes. We will provide more convenient and regulated channels for people to express their opinions and demands, coordinate their interests, and safeguard their rights and interests. We will improve mechanisms for settling problems and disputes through one-stop services and multiple means, and strive to achieve the goal that "trivial matters are solved in the villages, major problems are settled in the town, and no conflicts are passed on to the higher authorities."

Third, more efforts must be made to improve management. We will improve the governance mechanism featuring grid-based management, strengthen management over key industries and sectors, and timely detect and defuse various risks and potential dangers as well as emerging problems. 

Fourth, more efforts must be made to improve services. We will make access to public services at the community level more equitable, innovate methods for delivering services, improve service efficacy, and make our services inclusive, equally accessible, convenient, effective, smart and targeted. 

Fifth, more efforts must be made to provide public psychological services. We will improve mechanisms to provide crisis intervention counseling, cultivate self-esteem, self-confidence, rationality, composure and optimism among our people, and strictly prevent individuals from committing extreme crimes.

Sixth, more efforts must be made to boost public participation. We will boost public participation in crime prevention and control. We will encourage individuals who rise to the occasion during emergencies, and improve policies and measures to reward them and ensure their wellbeing, so as to see that such virtue and good conduct become a social norm in the new era. Thank you.

Xinhua News Agency:

It was just mentioned that in the second part of the report is a conclusion on theoretical innovation that can be summarized as "six musts," which is a new phrase. Can you explain how we should understand the "six musts"? Thank you.

Sun Yeli:

Thank you for your question. The "six musts" are very important as they are the stances, viewpoints and methods running through Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Each one of them is with rich connotations. For example, "put the people first" reflects a stance and an attitude, as well as our Party's nature and purpose. It also reflects the summarized understanding of the rules governing theoretical innovation of our Party as a Marxist governing party. People are the creators of history, and the people's creative practices are the inexhaustible source of our theoretical innovations, so our Party's theories are from the people. Our Party serves the people, so the theories of our Party are certainly for the people and beneficial to the people. The main task of our Party is to organize and lead the people to strive to realize a better life. This theory can be a powerful tool for changing the world only when it "gripped the masses" and is fully understood by the people. Our theories must be the ones liked, accepted and adopted by the people. General Secretary Xi Jinping explains this thoroughly. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era fully embodies this people-centeredness. 

Also, taking "maintain self-confidence and stand on our own feet" and "maintain a global vision" as examples. We maintain the Four-sphere Confidence and the principal position of our own culture. We won't mechanically imitate others or indiscriminately absorb foreign ideas. We also maintain a global vision to play our part in resolving the common issues facing humankind, and keep an open mind to draw inspiration from all of human civilization's outstanding achievements. These are two sides of the same coin: Without maintaining our own principal position, as through self-confidence and standing on one's own feet, no civilization or culture can be developed or effectively absorb fine foreign culture; while maintaining mutual learning, cultural exchanges and an open and inclusive mind is the only way to keep enhancing our vitality and continuing to diversify and grow stronger. Our Party is keenly aware of this. 

As for "adopt a problem-oriented approach," our Party does not indulge in empty talk, but rather we take action. We focus on combining knowledge with practice. Well-conceived theories lead us in addressing practical issues. At the same time, our knowledge of the rules governing all things is increased in the process of problem-solving, with our theories enriched and further developed. We develop new ideas, new approaches and new solutions in the process of solving problems and addressing challenges. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era was formed and further developed in such a way. A decade ago, we secured great achievements while facing a number of prominent issues and problems, some of which had been building for years and others were just emerging, such as corruption, structural and institutional problems of the economy, and damage to the environment. They were quite severe and many people concerned about the future of the Party and the country. The CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core brought together the entire Party, the military and the Chinese people and led them in effectively responding to these problems and solving them with decisive actions, thus opening new ground for the cause of the Party and the country. Along the way, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era was established. Theories are for solving problems. They should work in reality because only those that are effective will live on. Such traits of our Party's theories have demonstrated its practicality as a Marxist philosophy as well as the strong responsibility of our Party for the people, the country and history. Thank you. 

Phoenix TV:

The report to the 20th CPC National Congress clearly requires us to win the tough and protracted battle against corruption. How are you planning to secure more institutional achievements and improve efficiency in fighting corruption by taking simultaneous, coordinated, and comprehensive steps to ensure that officials do not have the audacity, opportunity, or desire to become corrupt?

Wang Jianxin:

Thank you for your question. I will take this question.

Exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance is a great practice of the Party's self-reform in the new era, and the fight against corruption is a key battle in this effort. After the 18th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech for the first time at a plenary session of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), which was the second plenary session of the 18th CCDI. He stressed that unwaveringly fighting against corruption demonstrates the Party's strength, and there is no exception before the law and Party discipline, no matter who might be involved, and we shall show no mercy to corruption and conduct full investigations. In the past decade, with the resolution to "offend a few thousand rather than fail 1.4 billion," the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has waged a battle against corruption on a scale unprecedented in our history. Discipline inspection and supervision organs nationwide have filed 4.648 million cases for investigation and prosecution, which involved 553 officials registered at and supervised by the CPC Central Committee. A total of 4.573 million individuals received punishments as a result. Through the resolute battle, the spread of corruption has been effectively curbed. An overwhelming victory has been won in the anti-corruption campaign, and the success has been consolidated. Simultaneous, coordinated, and comprehensive steps have been taken to ensure that officials do not have the audacity, opportunity, or desire to become corrupt. The CPC has successfully embarked on an anti-corruption path with Chinese characteristics. The CPC has tempered itself through revolution on a large scale and in a profound way, and thus the CPC is able to take the historical initiative to maintain its progressive nature and integrity. 

In the past 10 years of the new era, the fight against corruption has been tremendous, and the world has marveled at our achievements. However, we are also keenly aware that we still face a grave and intricate situation in the fight against corruption. Fighting corruption is a war with life-and-death consequences. We can only move forward and never retreat. We can only win and never lose. Therefore, we must resolutely implement the strategic plan of the 20th CPC National Congress, always maintain a tough stance against corruption, and continue to take simultaneous, coordinated, and comprehensive steps to ensure that officials do not have the audacity, opportunity, or desire to become corrupt. Just as the report to the 20th CPC National Congress stresses, we are determined to win the tough and protracted battle against corruption.

First, we will improve the accountability system for the Party to lead the fight against corruption. We will uphold Party leadership in the whole process of taking simultaneous, coordinated, and comprehensive steps to ensure that officials do not have the audacity, opportunity, or desire to become corrupt. 

We will ensure that leadership and oversight responsibilities for full and rigorous Party self-governance are assumed. We will give full play to the role of political supervision, education, and organizational management, conduct regulation, discipline enforcement, and system improvement in waging an all-out war of preventing and combating corruption.  

Second, we will continue to show zero tolerance in opposing corruption and punishing wrongdoing. We will keep sounding the bugle in our fight against corruption. We will investigate and deal with corruption that involves both political and economic elements, resolutely prevent officials in leadership positions from acting for any interest group or power group, and crack down on any collusion between officials and businesspeople that undermines the political ecosystem or economic development. We will never let the power given by the Party and the people become a tool of a few people to seek profit.

Third, we will improve the systems for preventing corruption from being fostered and spreading. To address both the symptoms and root causes of corruption, we will improve the systems and mechanisms for overseeing power and managing officials, and improve the performance assessment and evaluation system for officials. We will specify the responsibilities and scope of power for officials who hold key positions in areas such as policy making, decision-making procedures, approval and supervision, law enforcement, and the judiciary, and strengthen checks on power. While investigating and punishing violations of discipline and the law, we will also seek to identify problems, strengthen rectification, deepen reforms, and improve systems, so as to enhance the efficiency in fighting corruption.

Fourth, we will improve the total-coverage, authoritative, and highly effective oversight system under the Party's unified leadership, and continue to deepen the reform of the oversight system of the Party and the country. We will create synergy between various forms of oversight with intra-party oversight serving as the mainstay, remove impediments to the formation of synergy, and ensure the full coverage and effectiveness of power oversight.

Fifth, we will refine the effective and practical approaches to fighting corruption in a coordinated way. We will ensure the internal connection of measures to ensure that officials do not have the audacity, opportunity, or desire to become corrupt, and develop an effective vehicle to integrate these measures, so as to closely coordinate harsh punishment, the regulation on the exercise of power, and education and guidance, and give better play to the leading role of beliefs and convictions. This will ensure that Party members enhance their Party consciousness, promote a culture of integrity, and bolster their resistance to corruption and moral decline. Thank you.

China Daily:

"Improving the systems for exercising full and rigorous self-governance" has been set out in the report to this CPC national congress for the first time. How should we understand this? Thank you.

Tang Fangyu:

Thank you. As you said, the report to the 20th CPC National Congress sets out the requirement of improving the systems for exercising full and rigorous self-governance for the first time in the report to the CPC National Congress. In my opinion, this is a major initiative for exercising Party self-governance in a comprehensive, systematic, coordinated and effective manner.

Our Party is a long-term Marxist governing party and the largest party in the world. Its ambitious goals and historic missions, its huge membership featuring widespread distribution, as well as the risks and challenges it faces, all determine that our Party can only develop well when full and rigorous self-governance is exercised to a high standard, in a comprehensive, systematic and long-term manner, and under a well-conceived, unified and efficient system.

As the CPC rose and grew strong, Party building has been advanced in a more systematic manner through explorations and practices. In particular, since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has strengthened overall planning and moved forward in a coordinated manner to ensure full and rigorous Party self-governance. Now, Party self-governance is exercised under the guidance of a set of theories, especially Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. There is a complete task layout: We have set strengthening ourselves politically as the overarching guide for all other initiatives of Party building; we must strengthen ourselves theoretically and see the Party's organizations consolidated, its conduct improved and its discipline enforced, with institutional improvements incorporated into every aspect of strengthening the Party; and we must step up our efforts to combat corruption. There is sound system design: We have nearly 4,000 Party regulations currently in effect. There are supporting measures, including in the well-planned and high-quality enrolling of new Party members; carrying out intensive education initiatives; organizing systematic training; strengthening internal oversight, especially of Party officials at all levels; enhancing assessment of Party building; and making unremitting efforts to improve conduct, enforce discipline and combat corruption. It's fair to say that we have established a relatively mature system for exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance.

Full and rigorous Party self-governance is an unceasing endeavor. When improving the systems for exercising full and rigorous self-governance, we must focus on the strategic arrangements set out in the report to the 20th CPC National Congress, and further strengthen planning and implementation. I think the following three aspects are particularly important:

First, we need to ensure Party self-governance covers all fields, the whole process and all targeted groups. That is to say, we need to prioritize full coverage, further increase the breadth and depth of rigorous Party self-governance, coordinate various fields, closely connect different links, and leave no ground unturned to effectively manage all Party members and organizations.

Second, we need to provide education, while at the same time improving systems and strengthening oversight. That is to say, we need to continue being rigorous, take simultaneous and coordinated steps, and forge synergy to exercise Party self-governance through genuine, brave and constant efforts.

Third, we need to improve the standards, quality and effect. That is to say, we need to take concrete measures to strengthen Party self-governance, and introduce more targeted and solid steps to address both symptoms and root causes. All these are aimed at high-quality Party building. Thank you.

Liu Siyang:

Due to the time limit, let's have the last question.

Radio Algeria:

We have noticed from the report to the 20th CPC National Congress, citing that to pursue green development and promote harmony between humanity and nature when planning the development. This is an important strategic issue for China. How to ensure the efficient execution of the strategy? Thank you. 

Mu Hong: 

You raised a very good question. The report to the 20th CPC National Congress makes it clear that we must remember to maintain harmony between humanity and nature when planning our development. This is an intrinsic requirement of high-quality development. Harmony between humanity and nature is an important feature of Chinese modernization. 

Mr. Sun has just touched upon this issue, and I would like to add some more details. 

Over the past decade, we have acted on the idea that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, and witnessed historic, transformative and comprehensive changes in ecological environment. Across the country there are more blue skies, greener mountains and cleaner waters. This is one of the huge changes felt most directly by the people. The average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has dropped by 34.8%, and the percentage of days with good or excellent air quality has risen to 87.5% in cities at or above prefectural level. Energy consumption per unit of GDP, or energy intensity, has declined by 26.4%. The average annual growth of energy consumption was 3%, while the country's GDP grew at an average annual rate of 6.6%. Water consumption per 10,000 yuan of value-added by industry decreased by 55%, and the output rate of major resources increased by 58%. It can be said that we have achieved remarkable results in the transition toward green development. Territorial space planning has been improved; major progress has been made in the development of the national park-based nature reserve system; and efforts have been stepped up to further implement the development strategy of the Yangtze River Economic Belt to ensure well-coordinated environmental protection, and the strategy for ecological conservation and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin. These concrete actions have yielded tangible results which have brought a strong sense of gain to the people, and the idea that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets has been more widely embraced.

Ecological conservation is of fundamental importance for the sustainable development of the Chinese nation. We must stay committed to sustainable development, do more to promote green, circular and low-carbon development, and continue to pursue a model of sound development featuring improved production, higher living standards and healthy ecosystems. The report has also made systematic arrangements on this respect. First, we will accelerate the transition to a model of green development. We will work faster to adjust and improve the industrial structure, the energy mix and the composition of the transportation sector; implement a comprehensive conservation strategy; encourage green consumption; and promote green and low-carbon ways of production and life. Second, we will intensify pollution prevention and control. We will continue to control pollution in a lawful, targeted and science-based way; make further efforts to keep our skies blue, waters clear and lands clean; continue to improve living environments in both urban and rural areas; and do more to modernize the environmental governance system. Third, we will enhance diversity, stability and sustainability in our ecosystems. We will hasten our efforts in preserving and restoring key ecosystems, and carry out major biodiversity protection projects. Fourth, we will work actively and prudently toward the goals of reaching peak carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality. We will promote concerted efforts to cut carbon emissions, reduce pollution, expand green development and pursue economic growth; exercise better control over the amount and intensity of energy consumption, particularly of fossil fuels, and gradually transition toward controlling both the amount and intensity of carbon emissions; and actively involve ourselves in global governance in response to climate change.

Achieving harmony between humanity and nature is a major issue not only for the Chinese people, but for all the people of the world. We will focus on playing our part well, and at the same time, call for the joint efforts of the international community. Thank you. 

Liu Siyang: 

Thank you to our six speakers and all friends from the media. Today's press conference is hereby concluded.

Translated and edited by Zhang Jiaqi, Wang Wei, Xu Xiaoxuan, Zhang Lulu, Li Huiru, Liu Sitong, Zhang Junmian, Zhou Jing, Zhu Bochen, Huang Shan, Wang Qian, Zhang Liying, Yuan Fang, He Shan, Wang Yiming, David Ball and Daniel Xu. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.

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Read in Chinese

Speakers:

Wang Xiaohui, deputy director in charge of routine work of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC)

Jiang Jinquan, director of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee

Han Wenxiu, deputy director in charge of routine work of the Office of the Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs of the CPC Central Committee

Qu Qingshan, president of the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee

Chairperson:

Xu Lin, deputy director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and minister of the State Council Information Office

Date:

Nov. 12, 2021

Xu Lin:

Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the media, good morning. Welcome to this press conference held by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The 19th CPC Central Committee convened its sixth plenary session in Beijing from Nov. 8 to 11. This was an important meeting as the Party celebrates its centenary this year and stands at a critical juncture where the timeframes of its two centenary goals converge. At the session, the Central Committee completed all agenda items, and considered and adopted the Resolution of the CPC Central Committee on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century.

Today, we have invited leading officials from relevant departments, who will introduce the guiding principles of the session, explain the resolution and answer your questions. Present at today's press conference are: Mr. Wang Xiaohui, deputy director in charge of routine work of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee; Mr. Jiang Jinquan, director of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee; Mr. Han Wenxiu, deputy director in charge of routine work of the Office of the Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs of the CPC Central Committee; and Mr. Qu Qingshan, president of the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee.

Next, let's give the floor to Mr. Wang Xiaohui.

Wang Xiaohui:

Friends from the media, it is my pleasure to brief you on the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee.

The 19th CPC Central Committee convened its sixth plenary session in Beijing from Nov. 8 to 11. The Political Bureau of the Central Committee presided over the meeting, and General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping delivered an important address. At the session, the Central Committee heard and discussed the report on the work of the Political Bureau, presented by General Secretary Xi Jinping on behalf of the Political Bureau, and considered and adopted the Resolution of the CPC Central Committee on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century and the Resolution on the Convocation of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered explanatory remarks on the draft Resolution of the CPC Central Committee on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century. All agenda items of the session were completed.

At the session, the Central Committee fully affirmed the work that its Political Bureau has carried out since the fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee. It was unanimously agreed that faced with a severe situation and complicated tasks, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has implemented the national rejuvenation strategy within a wider context of the once-in-a-century changes taking place in the world, followed the underlying trends of the times, and adopted proactive strategies, has achieved encouraging outcomes in a string of overarching undertakings, and resolutely overcome all risks and challenges along the way, thus making significant progress in the cause of the Party and the country, and fostering unprecedented solidarity among the Party, the armed forces and the Chinese people. Practice has proven that establishing Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and defining the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era reflect the common will of the Party, the armed forces, and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, and are of decisive significance for advancing the cause of the Party and the country in the new era and for driving forward the historic process of national rejuvenation. Participants at the plenary session all agreed that with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core of the CPC Central Committee and the whole Party to steer its course, and with the concerted efforts of the Party, the armed forces and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, no obstacle or hardship can stop the Chinese people from marching forward, and no risk or challenge can hold back the historic process of national rejuvenation.

The most important outcome of the session is its adoption of the Resolution of the CPC Central Committee on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century. As the Party celebrates its centenary, the 19th CPC Central Committee convened its sixth plenary session to review the Party's major achievements and historical experience over the past 100 years. This is a solemn, historic and strategic decision which demonstrates the Party's great political awareness of valuing and fully applying the law of history, as well as its confidence and sense of responsibility in staying true to its founding mission and building on past achievements. In the century-long history of our Party, the seventh plenary session of the sixth CPC Central Committee in 1945 formulated the Resolution on Certain Issues in the History of the CPC, and the sixth plenary session of the 11th CPC Central Committee in 1981 formulated the Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of the CPC Since the Founding of the People's Republic of China. The two resolutions were issued under different historical circumstances to solve different problems. However, both were adopted at critical historical junctures, and have played an important role in advancing the cause of the Party and the people. It has been 76 years since the formulation of the first historical resolution, and 40 years since the adoption of the second. Over the past 40 years, substantial advances have been made in the cause of the Party and the country as well as the Party's theories and practices. At a new historical starting point, to review the past and look into the future, and to have a comprehensive and systematic summary of the Party's 100-year journey, especially of the past more than 40 years since the launch of reform and opening-up, is an objective necessity and has subjective conditions.

The resolution adopted at the plenary session has seven parts, highlighted in two features. First, unlike the two previous historical resolutions, which mainly reviewed historical lessons of the Party and made distinctions between right and wrong, this resolution is primarily a summary of the major achievements and historical experience of the Party over the past century. From the CPC's founding to the early period of China's reform and opening-up, the previous two resolutions settled the significant issues concerning the accomplishments and missteps in the history of the Party. Their fundamental expositions and conclusions are still relevant today. Since reform and opening-up, despite questions about the work of the Party, the country and the Party have developed smoothly on the right track and enjoyed remarkable achievements. By focusing on the major accomplishments and the historical experience of the Party over the past century, this resolution conforms to reality. It is conducive to promoting the wisdom, unity, confidence, and fighting spirit of the whole Party. Second, the two former resolutions have systematically reviewed the Party's history in the New Democratic Revolution and the socialist revolution and reconstruction. A systematic summary was also made in the 20th, 30th, and 40th anniversaries of the third plenary session of the 11th CPC Central Committee. This resolution summarizes the original ideas, innovative practices, breakthroughs, and landmark achievements since the 18th CPC National Congress by highlighting the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The new resolution will be conducive to guiding the entire Party and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups to strengthen their confidence further, focus on what we are doing, and embark on a new journey and a new era of success with a more vigorous attitude.

At the plenary session, the CPC also decided to convene its 20th National Congress in Beijing in the second half of 2022. The congress will be held at a critical time when the Party has embarked on a new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects and to realize the second centenary goal. Therefore, it will be a crucial meeting and an event of great political significance for both the Party and the country. Thus, the plenary session calls upon Party organizations at all levels and all Party members to rally more closely around the Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. We must surmount difficulties and forge ahead to make new and greater contributions toward building a modern socialist country in all respects. Thus, we will secure great success for socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, and ensure that excellent results are achieved by the time the 20th CPC National Congress is convened.

In summary, the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee is a crucial meeting of historical significance at a significant historical juncture. The resolution adopted at the plenary session detailed the struggle, sacrifice, and creations made by the CPC as it stays committed to its mission of seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, and answers the question of "why we were successful in the past and how we can continue to succeed in the future." Therefore, we believe this plenary session will have a significant and far-reaching impact on promoting the unity of thought, will, and action of the whole Party, uniting and leading the Chinese people of all ethnic groups to learn from history and create the future, and better adhere to and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

This is the end of my introduction. Thank you!

Xu Lin:

Thank you, Mr. Wang. The floor is now open to questions. Please identify the news organization you represent before raising your questions. Since there are many foreign reporters present, simultaneous interpretation services will be available throughout the press conference. If reporters ask questions in English, the question part will be rendered into Chinese by consecutive interpretation. Please go ahead.

CCTV:

According to the communique of this plenary session, establishing Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and defining the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era are of decisive significance. It is needed to advance the cause of the Party and the country in the new era and drive forward the historic process of national rejuvenation. How do you understand this "decisive significance?" Thank you.

Jiang Jinquan:

I'm glad to answer this question. Establishing Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and defining the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era are of decisive significance for advancing the cause of the Party and the country in the new era and for driving forward the historic process of national rejuvenation. This has a sufficient practical basis. The historic achievements and shifts in the cause of the Party and the country since the 18th CPC National Congress are fundamentally attributed to the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Establishing Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and defining the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era reflect the common will of the Party, the armed forces, and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups. Moreover, it also has a theoretical basis: strong leadership and science-based theoretical guidance are fundamental to the future of the Party and the country and the success of the undertakings of the Party and the people.

For a country and a political party, the leadership core is of vital importance. Comrade Deng Xiaoping once keenly observed that "Any leading group should have a core; a leadership with no core is unreliable." For the CPC, a big party with its membership exceeding 95 million, and for China, a huge country with 56 ethnic groups and 1.4 billion people, it would be unimaginable had there been no core in the Party Central Committee and the whole Party. There would be a lack of cohesion and nothing could be accomplished. Only when there is a core in the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, can the whole Party have strength. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping, with profound care for the people, extraordinary political wisdom and a strong sense of responsibility, has led the whole Party and Chinese people in demonstrating great historical initiative, starting a new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, scoring historical achievements and transformations, and ultimately building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects across the vast land of China. Xi, who enjoys popular confidence, is worthy of the title of the core of the Party, leader of the people, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Establishing Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole is the call of the times, the choice of history and the aspirations of the people. By firmly supporting and upholding the core position of General Secretary Xi Jinping, the whole Party will have an anchor, the entire Chinese population will have a backbone, and the giant vessel of national rejuvenation will have a helmsman. No matter what choppy waters we might encounter, we will be able to stay calm and composed.

Only when a political party follows sound theories can it hold the power of truth; only when a cause is guided by sound theories can it be promising. Over the past century, our Party has been able to accomplish arduous tasks that other political forces are not able to and has scored one victory after another in taking on various political forces as well as difficulties and challenges. The fundamental reasons can be found in our adaptation of the basic principles of Marxism to China's specific reality and its fine traditional culture, and continuously advancing theoretical innovation and effectively guiding new practices with new theories. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has demonstrated remarkable insights into the times and stayed on top of the trends of the times. With extraordinary theoretical courage, he has put forward a series of original strategic thoughts and innovative ideas and established Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. This is the Marxism of contemporary China and of the 21st century. It embodies the best of the Chinese culture and ethos in our times and provides a sound guide to action for promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. By establishing the guiding position of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, our Party is able to, within the context of an increasingly complex interplay between national rejuvenation and once-in-a-century changes in the world, move in the right direction, brave winds and waves, and stay on course; grasp development patterns, leverage a sound worldview and methodologies to plan developments, address risks and challenges, and lead the people of all ethnic groups to continuously open up bright prospects for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Thank you.

Xinhua News Agency:

The communique said that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era represents a new breakthrough in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. How should we understand this new breakthrough? Thank you.

Wang Xiaohui:

The CPC is a political party that attaches great importance to theoretical guidance. The summary and exposition of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a significant highlight of the resolution as well as a major contribution. You may have noticed the communique pointed out that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the Marxism of contemporary China and of the 21st century. It embodies the best of the Chinese culture and ethos in our times and represents a new breakthrough in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. I believe these sentences have clarified the theoretical connotation and great significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and stressed its important position in the history of the development of Marxism, as well as the historical development of Chinese culture. I think we can understand it from three aspects.

First, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era gives us sensible answers to the major questions of the new era. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has meticulously assessed and reflected deeply on a number of major theoretical and practical questions regarding the cause of the Party and the country in the new era. He thoroughly reviewed and fully applied the historical experience gained since the founding of the Party one century ago, proceeded from new realities, and gave answers to the major questions of our times: What kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics we should uphold and develop in this new era, what kind of great modern socialist country we should build, and what kind of Marxist party exercising long-term governance we should develop, as well as how we should go about achieving these tasks. He thus established Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. This has put forward many new guiding ideas on Marxist philosophy, political economy, and scientific socialism, realized a new leap in understanding the laws of building socialism with Chinese characteristics, provided a new blueprint for Chinese-style modernization, and broke new ground for strengthening Party governance and building.

Second, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era puts forward a series of original ideas, thoughts and strategies for governing the country. The resolution establishes "10 clarifications" to further elaborate on the core tenets of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, which are based on the "eight clarifications" in the report delivered during the 19th CPC National Congress. The resolution also summarizes the achievements made by the Party and the nation in the new era in 13 aspects, highlighting the original concepts and ideas. For example, in terms of upholding socialism with Chinese characteristics, the resolution makes it clear that the leadership of the CPC is the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the greatest strength of the system; makes a scientific judgment on changes in the principal contradiction facing Chinese society in the new era; stresses upholding and improving the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and modernizing China's system and capacity for governance. On building a modern socialist country in all respects, the resolution puts forward a two-stage strategic vision for making China a great modern socialist country in all respects. It emphasizes that China's modernization involves a huge population base, common prosperity for all, coordinated material and cultural progress, a harmony between man and nature, and a path of peaceful development. On exercising full and rigorous governance over the Party, the resolution states that China's success hinges on the Party, which must exercise effective self-supervision and practice strict self-discipline in every respect. It also stresses that the Party should take enhancing its political building as the overarching principle, ensure that political responsibility for self-governance is fulfilled, step up efforts to combat corruption, and lead the great social revolution through significant self-reform. These strategic thoughts and innovative concepts, with an entirely new perspective, deepen our understanding of governance by a communist party, the development of socialism, and the evolution of human society. They represent the latest achievements in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context.

Third, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era embodies the best of the Chinese culture and ethos in our times. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is deeply rooted in the fertile soil of Chinese culture, drawing on the rich philosophical ideas, values, and morality in fine traditional Chinese culture, which is both extensive and profound. It is a prime example of the creative transformation and development of fine traditional Chinese culture. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a reflection of the dreams and pursuits of the Chinese nation since ancient times, especially national rejuvenation, which has been the greatest ambition of the Chinese people since modern times began. It is an embodiment of the Chinese people's great spirit of creativity, struggle, solidarity and aspiration. It has a strong power that cuts through history and a cultural appeal, with its ability to inspire. It has effectively activated the vitality of fine traditional Chinese culture, adding renewed energy and vitality to Marxism across the vast land of China.

Therefore, in general, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a significant theoretical achievement that combines the basic principles of Marxism with China's current reality and its cultural legacy, as well as an important theoretical outcome of the historic achievements and changes realized since the 18th CPC National Congress. It represents a new historic leap and creative breakthrough in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. Thank you.

Nippon News Network:  

The Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century was reviewed and adopted at the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee. What is the significance of the resolution and what influence will it exert? Thank you. 

Qu Qingshan:

Thank you, I will take this question. The resolution was reviewed and adopted at an important historical moment when our Party marks its 100th founding anniversary, as well as at a critical historical juncture when our Party has united and led the Chinese people in successfully achieving the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and as we march toward the second centenary goal of building a great modern socialist country in all respects. The resolution, which pools the wisdom of the whole Party, comprehensively and systematically summarizes the major achievements and historical experience of our Party in its 100-year history, with a special focus on historic achievements and transformations in the cause of the Party and the country at large following the 18th CPC National Congress. This fully demonstrates our Party's superb political wisdom and sense of responsibility, and a high degree of historical consciousness and historical confidence.

Our Party is a Marxist governing party that sets great store by and excels at summarizing historical experience. At every important historical moment and major historical juncture, our Party reviews the history, summarizes experience, and draws wisdom and strength from history for future progress. As Mr. Wang mentioned just now, during its century-long history, the Party in 1945 formulated the Resolution on Certain Issues in the History of the CPC, and in 1981 formulated the Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of the CPC Since the Founding of the People's Republic of China — two resolutions that played important roles in advancing and guiding the endeavors of the Party. The resolution adopted at this plenum is the third historical resolution of the Party, and I believe that just like the previous two, it will have important and far-reaching significance in promoting the whole Party to achieve unity in thinking, will and action, in uniting and leading the Chinese people of all ethnic groups to learn from history to create a bright future and work hard while marching forward courageously, and in upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

If I was to give the resolution an overall assessment and positioning, I would put it in three sentences: First, it is a programmatic document of Marxism. Second, it is a political proclamation of the Chinese communists' continued commitment to their original aspiration and mission and upholding and developing of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. Third, it is a guide for learning from history to create a bright future and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. More specifically, I think the resolution is of great significance and has profound and far-reaching social impact, which I will explain in three points.

First, the resolution makes an in-depth summary of the Party's great journey in uniting and leading the Chinese people from one victory to another over the past century, educates and guides the entire Party to have a profound understanding of the tough challenges we overcame for the "red political power," for the PRC and for socialism with Chinese characteristics, and enhances our courage and strength to march forward. On the new journey, we face both rare development opportunities and many severe and complex risks and challenges, which require us to use the Party's major achievements and historical experience to boost morale, chart the course, pool strength and strengthen conviction, uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics with an indomitable spirit and hard work, and strive to secure a new victory in fully building a modern socialist country.

Second, the resolution makes an in-depth summary of the trajectory of the Party's 100 years of growth from its infancy to a large and strong party, educates and guides the entire Party to have a profound understanding of the importance of enhancing the Party's political building, and enhances the awareness of and commitment to upholding the Party's solidarity and unity. On the new journey, in order to realize the second centenary goal, we must continue and carry forward the historical experience of upholding the CPC Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership, particularly the new experiences since the 18th CPC National Congress; strengthen our consciousness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership; stay confident in the path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics; and uphold General Secretary Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and uphold the Party Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership. Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, we will rally the entire Party to create a "piece of unbreakable iron" and march forward in unison.

Third, the resolution makes an in-depth summary of the Party's great practice over the past 100 years in improving itself and advancing self-reform. It educates and guides the entire Party to have a profound understanding of the importance and necessity of exercising full and strict governance over the Party, and ensures that our Party always remains the strong leadership core of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. On the new journey, the exam is far from being finished, and the Party still has a long way to go. We must draw historical experience from the Party's efforts of strengthening self-development, maintaining its advanced nature and purity, and improving its leadership and governance, keep increasing the Party's capacity to respond to various risks and challenges, maintain its vigor and vitality, and unite and lead the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in making continued efforts to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. That is all from me. Thank you.

Guangming Daily:

We can see that while reviewing the achievements and experience of the new era, the communique dedicated one part specifically to the development of culture, emphasizing that since the 18th CPC National Congress, there has been a sweeping and fundamental shift in the ideological domain, a notable boost in confidence in our culture among all Party members and the Chinese people. Could you please elaborate on that?

Wang Xiaohui:

As we know, culture is the soul of a country and a nation. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has placed much importance on the development of culture. It has juxtaposed confidence in culture with confidence in the path, theory, and system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, characterizing them as "confidence in four aspects." With a view to developing a great socialist culture in China, it has focused on upholding the banner, rallying the people, fostering the new generation, developing Chinese culture, and shaping China's national image. As a result, great historical achievements have been made in cultural development. In reviewing the achievements of cultural development in the new era, I would say that they mainly include the following aspects:

First, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has been deeply rooted in people's minds. We always stick to the guiding position of Marxism as the fundamental system in both the ideological and cultural domain. We have launched the learning and education campaign about Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. We have edited and published authoritative and reference books such as "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China," "The Outline for Learning Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era," and "Questions and Answers: Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era." We have constructed and made good use of the centers for advancing cultural and ethical work in the new era, county-level media convergence centers, as well as the Xuexi Qiangguo platform, to arm the whole Party and educate the people with scientific theories so that our officials and the public will have a deeper understanding of the thought, and be more proactive in their practice. 

Second, the mainstream ideology continues to consolidate and public opinion continues to converge. Upholding the principles of solidarity, stability, encouragement, and positive publicity, we have organized a series of celebrative and commemorative activities amid the major historical junctures such as the centenary of the founding of the CPC, the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and the 40th anniversary of the country's reform and opening-up. Focusing on major decisions and plans such as securing a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, winning a battle against poverty, and fighting COVID-19, we have elaborately arranged a series of major themed publicity activities, fostering in the whole Party and society a solid atmosphere for loving the Party, the nation, and socialism. 

Third, the core socialist values have been carried forward. We have insisted that the core socialist values guide cultural construction, and extensively popularized socialism with Chinese characteristics and the Chinese Dream. We continue to deepen the cultural civilization campaign for the public, foster a new generation and promote a unique atmosphere in the new era. Particular importance has been attached to the leading role played by role models. We have awarded medals and honorary titles to heroes and role models and selected and commended a large number of ethical role models, role models of the times, and "the most beautiful minds." The whole society has formed a prevailing custom to emulate the virtuous, value ethics and pursue kindness, and strive to be pioneers. 

Fourth, people's cultural needs have been better satisfied. We continue to follow the people-centered working principle, and the creation and production of art works have flourished. A series of excellent artworks have been released, such as "My People, My Country" and "The Battle at Lake Changjin," and the TV shows "Awakening Age" and "Minning Town." We have actively promoted the integrated development of the urban and rural public cultural service systems, and further implemented cultural projects that benefit the people. We have advanced the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture and constructed national cultural parks based around themes including the Great Wall, the Great Canal, the Long March, and the Yellow River, providing our people with richer and higher-quality cultural content. 

Fifth, China's reliable, lovable and respectable image is more impressive. We have intensified international cultural exchange and multi-level civilization dialogues, and held activities such as the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations, Chinese Culture Year, Chinese Tourism Year, Experience China, Happy Chinese New Year, and Mutual Translation of Classic Books. We have been actively building a multi-party and all-dimensional layout for international communication, in a bid to promote cultural exchange, mutual learning, and people-to-people connectivity. We have taken the initiative to tell China's stories well and make our voice well heard. Hence, China's international discourse power and influence have been significantly improved. 

This plenary session has fully affirmed the achievements made in our cultural and ideology work. It pointed out that since the Party's 18th National Congress we have seen a sweeping and fundamental shift in the ideological domain, a notable boost in confidence in our culture among all Party members and all Chinese people, and a major increase in cohesiveness throughout society. All of this has provided solid ideological guarantees and powerful inspiration for opening up new horizons for the cause of the Party and the country in the new era. Thank you. 

Phoenix TV:

China has proposed developing whole-process people's democracy. The West has always relied on counterbalance among parties and referendums to test their democracy. How will China ensure democracy in its whole-process people's democracy? Besides, China has officially put common prosperity on the agenda. Now China's economic growth rate is slowing. Will it pose a challenge for the country to achieve common prosperity? How can China achieve common prosperity with the pressure of economic growth? Thank you. 

Xu Lin:

Your questions concern two aspects. Therefore, let us invite Mr. Jiang and Mr. Han to answer them respectively. 

Jiang Jinquan:

Developing whole-process people's democracy is a major proposition that General Secretary Xi Jinping put forward based on the development of democracy in China. It's also included in the communique of the sixth plenary session. Your question is a very good one, and I would like to share my views with you. 

Democracy is a shared value of all human beings and a critical philosophy that the CPC and the Chinese people have unswervingly upheld. The Party has held the banner of people's democracy since its founding. By reviewing the gains and losses of political development at home and abroad, the Party keenly realized that China's political civilization and political system must be deeply rooted in China's society. It will not work for China to copy the political systems of other countries, which may even ruin the country's future. 

Democracy is not an exclusive patent of Western countries and should not be defined and dictated by Western countries. Democracy is, at its core, all about the people running the country. The electoral democracy that some Western countries are proud of is an election ruled by capital and a game of capitalist groups. It is the "democracy" of the rich. It is not a real democracy.

At the same time, the democratic mode across the globe cannot be the same. Even among different Western countries, the democratic systems and forms are not entirely identical. The practice of measuring the diverse political systems with a single yardstick and judging the colorful political civilization of humanity from a simplistic perspective is undemocratic. As for which country's democracy is good or bad, people living in that country have a natural feeling and say. This shouldn't be judged by a handful of people from other countries. Some Western countries see their democracy being hollowed out, and their people become more and more dissatisfied with it. Meanwhile, they wantonly impose their so-called democratic mode on other countries, which is not fit for local conditions, bringing severe disasters and sufferings to the people of related countries. This is becoming more and more clear to people all over the world.

Friends from the media may have noticed some recent statistics. The latest opinion poll released by American Broadcasting Company (ABC) on Oct. 31 showed that 57% of respondents globally and 72% of respondents in the U.S. do not believe that the U.S. democracy is a good example. Another opinion poll in the U.S. showed that over 81% of Americans are worried about their democracy. In stark contrast to that, two opinion polls by American institutions showed that Chinese citizens' satisfaction with the Party and the government of China reached 95% and 98%, respectively. Any clear-eyed people will find it easy to conclude which is better. Next month, the U.S. is to host a so-called summit for democracy, with an attempt to revitalize Western democracy. To convene such a summit when Western countries face loads of problems in democracy is such an ironic thing. The intention is clearly to undermine other countries and divide the world into two groups or multiple groups. The results will be nothing but worse. To this, the CPC and the Chinese people have always had a clear head. We are eager to learn what lessons we can from the achievements of other cultures and welcome helpful suggestions and constructive criticism. However, we will not accept sanctimonious preaching from those who feel they have the right to lecture us.

Democracy is not an adornment used for decorative purposes. However, it is used to solve problems faced by the people. In judging a country, whether democratic or not, the key is to see whether the people indeed run the country. It is important to see whether the people have the right to vote, and more importantly, whether they have the right to broader participation. Compared with what oral promises are made to the people in the electoral process, it is more important to see how many of these promises are delivered afterward. It is essential to see the systems and laws institute what kinds of political procedures and rules, and more importantly, whether these systems and laws are genuinely executed. It is necessary to see whether the rules and procedures governing the exercise of power are democratic, and more importantly, whether the power is genuinely under oversight and checks by the people. If the people of a country are only called upon to vote and are forgotten once they cast a vote, or if the people only hear high-sounding promises during the election campaign and yet have no say whatsoever afterward, or if the people are wooed to get their votes and ignored once the voting is over, then such a democracy is not a true democracy.

Developing socialist democracy is a long commitment of the CPC. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has remained committed to the path of socialist political advancement with Chinese characteristics, worked to ensure that the Party's leadership, the people's position as masters of the country and law-based governance form an indivisible whole, and firmly opposed the delusion of some political thoughts in Western countries—so-called "constitutionalism," the power rotation among multiple political parties, and "the separation of powers," thus embarking on a democratic path of developing whole-process people's democracy. China's whole-process people's democracy is a complete institutional chain, including electoral democracy, consultative democracy, social democracy, primary-level democracy, citizen democracy, and all other elements of democratic politics. It covers democratic elections, democratic consultation, democratic decision-making, democratic management, democratic supervision, and all other fields of the democratic process. It is not only based on a complete institutional procedure but also full participation and practice. It is a democracy in terms of process and outcome. It achieves the integration of procedural and substantive democracy, and direct and indirect democracy. It is people's democracy and at the same time represents the will of the state. It is the democracy that involves all links, covers all aspects, and the entire population. It is the most broad-based, genuine, and effective socialist democracy. With diverse, smooth, and orderly democratic channels, it effectively guarantees that all the Chinese people can engage in the management of state, economic, cultural, and social affairs through various ways and in various forms following the law. As a result, the Chinese people have strong confidence in their political system. And the fundamental reason is that China's whole-process people's democracy is highly democratic in terms of both quantity and quality, and is sincerely welcomed by the Chinese people. This is the true democracy of the people. Thanks.

Han Wenxiu:

General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that common prosperity should be promoted through high-quality development, which has clarified how to achieve common prosperity and the objectives. To advance common prosperity, addressing the issue of development is the top priority, and distribution is also essential. However, we cannot achieve common prosperity only by distribution. Although China's per capita GDP has exceeded $10,000, it has not reached the level of high-income countries. Therefore, even the equal distribution of the total national income cannot help us realize common prosperity. There is no shortcut or magic trick to achieve common prosperity. It must be delivered through the hard work of more than 1.4 billion Chinese people.

First, promoting common prosperity requires high-quality development. China remains the largest developing country globally, and we still need to solve problems on our way forward through development. In the new era, we must implement the new development philosophy thoroughly and accurately to realize high-quality development. We should make growth more balanced, coordinated, and inclusive, constantly narrow the development gap between urban and rural areas and between regions, and lay a solid foundation for common prosperity at the source. Furthermore, we should uphold people-centered development thinking and ensure equal opportunities, rules, rights and interests for our people to create social wealth and jointly share the development fruits. Thus, we can say that promoting high-quality development is also a process of dealing with the main problem of unbalanced and inadequate development, raising the proportion of the middle-income group and improving the distribution structure, advancing well-rounded development of the people, and forwarding common prosperity.

Last year, in the face of COVID-19, China took the lead in restoring economic growth and got rid of extreme poverty as scheduled. It also completed the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects. All these demonstrate China's strong economic resilience. Economic fluctuation is a short-term phenomenon, while common prosperity is a long-term objective. The Chinese economy has sound fundamentals, the potential of enormous domestic demand, and massive growth space. Therefore, it is fully capable of sustaining long-term sound development and providing a more solid material foundation for furthering common prosperity effectively.

Second, promoting common prosperity demands an income distribution system that reflects efficiency and advances equity. Primary distribution plays a fundamental role in forming the final distribution pattern. We should adhere to the distribution system in which distribution according to work is dominant and a variety of modes of distribution coexist, and encourage and guide members of society to become well-off through working honestly, innovation, and entrepreneurship. We should focus on both efficiency and equity for primary distribution, standardize the distribution order, and reasonably control the initial distribution gap. Redistribution should further adjust the distribution gap and better perform its function of adjusting income by improving the tax system, increasing the proportion of direct tax, and strengthening tax collection and administration. At the same time, we need to refine the social security system and the transfer payment system, and enhance support and assistance to low-income people and areas in need. We should better help those most in need, increase the low-income group's earnings, and make the olive-shaped distribution structure smaller at both ends and more significant in the middle. Redistribution should balance efficiency and equity instead of gaining in one area and losing in another. In short, we need to develop a basic institutional arrangement for coordinating primary, secondary, and tertiary distribution so that distribution adjustment can help make the cake bigger and share it fairly.

Third, promoting common prosperity calls on all enterprises to "run their affairs well." Entrepreneurs can contribute to common prosperity through a variety of channels and means. But it is essential to do business following the law and good faith, pay taxes under relevant laws and regulations, fulfill social responsibilities, treat employees and customers well, protect the legitimate rights and interests of workers and consumers, run their businesses well, and create wealth for the society. These are what all enterprises are meant to do and the "right path" to contribute to common prosperity. At the same time, China encourages and supports enterprises and entrepreneurs who are willing and able to actively participate in public welfare and charity programs. Objectively, this can play a role in the tertiary distribution. As China's enterprises continue to grow, more people become well-off, and the national incentive policies improve, the country's charity cause will see significant development. However, a charitable donation is voluntary. We will never undercut the rich to aid the poor, weaken the rich such that they become poor, or force people to donate, because these practices are not in line with the essence of common prosperity, nor can they help achieve common prosperity. Thank you.

Channel NewsAsia (CNA):

A recent study into China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has found that several projects in developing countries have met with implementation problems. Some of the reasons said for this include debt and environmental hazards. And now we have also seen that the U.S. and Europe announced their own infrastructure initiatives. I would like to ask, with this regard, how has that changed the BRI in China's overall development plan? Thank you.

Han Wenxiu:

Thanks for your question. It has been eight years since President Xi Jinping proposed the significant BRI. Through practice, we have fully verified that the BRI is a hugely popular international public product and platform for international cooperation. As of 2020, trade between China and countries along the Belt and Road exceeded $9.2 trillion, and China's direct investment in these countries has amounted to nearly $140 billion. Progress made in major projects, such as the China-Laos Railway and Jakarta-Bandung Railway, showcases China's strong capacity and efficacy of its engineering feats. The Belt and Road cooperation has greatly contributed to the anti-pandemic fight as well as global economic recovery. China has provided more than 1.7 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to more than 110 countries and international organizations, most of which are Belt and Road countries. Since 2020, the China-Europe freight train services have surged against various challenges, running about 1,000 trips on a monthly basis. A total of 25,000 such trips have been launched, delivering more than 2.3 million TEUs of goods and more than 13 million items of anti-epidemic supplies. It is fair to say that the route along the Belt and Road has truly become a Silk Road for healthcare, providing strong support for the stability of the global supply chain and people's basic livelihood, and bringing tangible benefits to countries along the Belt and Road and local people.

In the face of interwoven impacts, brought about by profound changes in the world and the pandemic, both unseen in a century, we resolutely promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road cooperation. We need to uphold the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, as well as remain committed to the vision of open, green and clean cooperation, and focus on high-standard, public-oriented, and sustainable cooperation projects, so as to continuously adapt the BRI to the new situation and make progress.

First, we have paid more attention to the green development of the Belt and Road cooperation. We have been proactively cooperating in fields such as green infrastructure, green energy and green finance. For instance, the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway and China-Laos Railway projects feature animal channels to effectively protect local ecosystems and the environment. Not long ago, President Xi Jinping announced at the general debate of the UN General Assembly that China will not build new coal-fired power projects abroad. This is a vital decision to address climate change and a testament to China's sense of responsibility. We will continue to develop a green Silk Road, encourage businesses to fulfill their social responsibility, learn from environmental, social, and governance concepts, and build more eco-friendly projects with a high standard, in a bid to pursue the green development of the Belt and Road cooperation.

Second, we have paid more attention to the sustainable development of the Belt and Road cooperation. Together with the international community, China has been helping low-income countries alleviate their debt burdens. China is the biggest contributor to the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative. China has published the Debt Sustainability Framework for participating countries of the Belt and Road Initiative, and we will follow the principle of debt sustainability, optimize the policy system for risk prevention and control, and improve the quality and efficiency of investments.

Third, we have paid more attention to the inclusive development of the Belt and Road cooperation. We prioritize people's wellbeing and work to build more livelihood projects, which can bring tangible benefits in a quick and far-reaching way, to enhance people's sense of fulfillment in countries along the Belt and Road.

Fourth, we have paid more attention to the innovative development of the Belt and Road cooperation. China supports countries along the Belt and Road in developing their digital economy, bridges the digital divide, and strengthens innovative cooperation, in a bid to share the benefits brought about by the new sci-tech and industrial revolution.

The Belt and Road cooperation is a chorus made up of all its participating countries, instead of a solo performance by China. Currently, the world, and especially developing countries, is facing a huge gap in infrastructure investment. We welcome all countries to participate in the Belt and Road cooperation and keep an open mind about cooperative initiatives that are conducive to enhancing connectivity and realizing common development. We believe that the Belt and Road cooperation fits the realities of its partners, has unique advantages and is quite popular. The Belt and Road cooperation is bound to develop on a steady and sustained course and it will yield more win-win achievements. Thank you.

People's Daily:

Today, the Party is decidedly leading the Chinese people toward national rejuvenation along the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. My question is: How does the resolution grasp the historical experience of the Party over the past century? Thank you.

Qu Qingshan:

I will answer this question. Over the past century, the Party has united the Chinese people and led them in great endeavors as we wrote the most magnificent chapter in the millennia-long history of the Chinese nation, accumulating valuable historical experience along the way. In the resolution deliberated over and adopted at the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, those historical experiences are summarized as 10 points: upholding the Party's leadership, putting the people first, advancing theoretical innovation, staying independent, following the Chinese path, maintaining a global vision, breaking new ground, standing up for ourselves, promoting the united front, and remaining committed to self-reform. The 10 points flow seamlessly from one to the other and form a systematic and complete picture, bringing to light fundamental guarantees for the successes of the Party and people's endeavors, the source of strength that sustains the long development of the Party, the fundamental reason why the Party has seized the historical initiative, and the fundamental way for the Party to preserve its advanced nature and integrity and be a forerunner of the times. Therefore, invaluable experience has been gleaned from the Party's history. It has come neither from thin air nor from books or other countries. It is gained through painstaking efforts and great sacrifices over the past century by the Party and the people it united and led. The experience has come from both success and failure, both blood and sweat, and embodies wisdom, courage and perseverance. It is the product of historical development, practices and struggles, and reflects historical laws. The experience is a precious spiritual asset of the Party and provides sound guidance for the Party in leading China's future development. 

Regarding how to understand the Party's historical experience over the past century, I would like to share my views in two aspects.

First, the review of the historical experience in the resolution is aimed at grasping historical trends and revealing historical laws. Over the past century, the Party led the Chinese people in fighting with unyielding determination, achieving great success in the New Democratic Revolution; in working diligently for a stronger China with a spirit of self-reliance, achieving great success in the socialist revolution and construction; in freeing their minds and forging ahead, achieving great success in reform, opening-up, and socialist modernization; and in bolstering self-confidence and self-reliance and in innovating on the basis of what has worked in the past, thereby bringing about great success for socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. Over the past century, the Chinese people, united and led by the Party, have created an impressive miracle in the history of the Chinese nation, socialism worldwide, and human society. With the outlook that history is a continual process of closely-connected phases, the resolution made a profound review of the great journey and great path the Party has traveled and blazed by uniting and leading the people; of the distinctive features, goals fulfilled and major historical accomplishments of the different periods of the Party's history; of the great contribution the Party has made in achieving national independence and the liberation of the people, in making the country prosperous and strong and bringing happiness to the people, and in promoting the development of human civilization; of the historical inevitability of the leadership of the Party and the soundness of socialism with Chinese characteristics as the only correct road for China; and of the landmark significance of the new era in the historical process toward national rejuvenation. What is the hallmark of the new era? What is its position? What is its significance? I think the resolution provides sound answers. It fully demonstrates why the Party succeeded in the past and how it can continue to succeed in the future. It is the "golden key," providing the most sound and accurate answer to the question. We must cherish, uphold in the long term and enrich and develop the 10 points of historical experience in the practices of the new era.

Second, the resolution summarizes the Party's historical experience in order to achieve greater unity among the thinking of all Party members and forge a better future. The world today is undergoing changes unseen in a century, and China is at a critical stage in realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. In order to unite and lead the Chinese people to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics in a new era, and set out on a new journey towards a modern socialist country in all respects, the Party must reflect on history, get clearer understanding of the historic juncture at which China's development stands, grasp historical trends with precision, and guide every Party member to bear in mind the issues of fundamental importance – what the Party is and what its mission is. From the height of unifying historical regularity and historical initiative, the resolution profoundly summarizes the dialectical relationship between China's overall strategy of national rejuvenation and the larger context of once-in-a-century global changes and the laws governing them; summarizes the underlying logic of history, as China is implementing a new development philosophy and fostering a new development paradigm after entering a new development stage; raises new requirements for ensuring coordinated implementation of the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy under new circumstances; and summarizes the historical inevitability of national rejuvenation, thus calling on the whole Party to seize this historical opportunity, forge ahead, and pursue a better future on this new journey. Thank you.

Hong Kong Bauhinia Magazine:

In the past few decades, China has created a miracle with its rapid economic development, and has become the world's second largest economy. The "secret recipe" for China's economic miracle has been studied and discussed at home and abroad. What do you think about this "secret recipe?" What implications does it have for the future? Thank you.

Han Wenxiu:

Thank you for your questions. The resolution adopted by the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee comprehensively and systematically summarizes the major achievements and historical experience of the Party's 100-year history. It is a treasure trove of ideas and wisdom on China's successes in revolution, construction and reform. It also includes the "secret recipe" for China's economic miracle. In my opinion, the following aspects are particularly important.

First, the Party has adhered to the thinking that development is of overriding importance. After the third plenary session of the 11th CPC Central Committee, China has focused on economic development, and development was made the Party's top priority in governance, which helped lay a solid material foundation for fulfilling the Party's original goals. As socialism with Chinese characteristics enters a new era, new elements have been added to the concept of development. We mustn't continue with inefficient and blind development. Instead, we must adhere to a concept of people-centered development, stay true to the principle that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, fully implement new development philosophy, accelerate the fostering of new development paradigm, and promote high-quality development. These are the fundamentals in the new era.

Second, the Party has persistently deepened its reforms. One of the Party's major innovations was establishing a socialist market economic system that integrated socialism with the market economy. These reforms have broken the shackles of the rigid planned economy, brought vitality to China's economy, and greatly unleashed and developed productivity.

Third, the Party has been pursuing a policy of opening-up. China has transformed from a largely closed country to one that is open to the world. The change enables us to make full use of domestic and international markets and resources, and deeply participate in economic globalization. China promotes reform and development through opening-up. It makes ever greater contributions to the development and prosperity of the world. China will adhere to the basic state policy of opening-up, and balance the relations between development and security, and between opening-up and security, thus promoting high-quality development with a high level of opening-up.

Fourth, we have continued to take innovation as the primary driver of development. For years, adhering to an essential judgment that "science and technology is a primary source of productivity," we have implemented the strategy for invigorating China. This has been done through science and education and the process of innovation-driven development. We have strengthened the protection of property and intellectual property rights and boosted national strategic scientific and technological strength. We have also enhanced the role of enterprises as the principal entities in technological innovation to accelerate the pace of building up our country's strength in science and technology.

Fifth, we have adhered to the "two commitments" in order to continue and improve China's basic socialist economic system. We have remained fully committed to consolidating and developing the public sector of the economy, and fully committed to encouraging, supporting and guiding the development of the non-public sector. Also, we have established and improved a modern corporate structure with Chinese characteristics; supported the state-owned sector of the economy in becoming stronger, doing better and growing bigger; promoted entrepreneurship; fostered a cordial and clean relationship between government and business; promoted the healthy growth of the non-public sector of the economy, and encouraged those working in this sector to achieve success; and promoted fair competition to enable enterprises and market entities of all types of ownership to stimulate one another and develop together.

Sixth, we have created better synergy between an efficient market and a well-functioning government. We have balanced the government-market relationship to enable the market to play the decisive role in resource allocation and give better play to the part of the government. We have made a great effort in transforming government functions, avoiding inaction, ultra vires, or arbitrary practices while improving public services and strengthening market regulation. Business monopolies have been fought effectively, and capital expansion has been regulated. A business environment based on market principles, governed by law, and up to international standards has been fostered.

Seventh, we have stayed committed to the principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, which is not only a critical governance principle of our Party but also an effective method for carrying out economic work. To achieve this, we need to make active progress to keep performance stable instead of rushing for quick results. Lessons must be learned from the Great Leap Forward campaign and the People's Commune Movement in the 1950s. As the country moves towards achieving carbon peak and neutrality targets and ensuring common prosperity, we must continue to follow the general principles of pursuing stability and making new progress step by step.

Eighth, we have upheld Party leadership. Upholding the authority of the CPC Central Committee and its centralized, unified leadership provides fundamental political assurance for the miracle of the economic development of China. This is the key to our success. We must strengthen the Party's leadership over economic work, uphold the principle of seeking truth from facts, and conduct all actions based on actual conditions and economic laws. We must give full play to the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of all sectors of society and uphold system-based thinking to strengthen the overall planning and coordination. We must grasp the principal contradiction facing Chinese society, and give full play to the strategic guidance of national development plans, to take advantage of one of the strengths of the nation's socialist system – the ability to pool resources on significant endeavors.

The above serves as both a review of historical experience and guidance to our future work. Under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, we will face up to our new mission in the new era. By upholding the valuable experience, making effective use of it, and carrying it forward, we will ensure the smooth sailing of the giant ship of China's economy and create new miracles of development. Thank you.

Xu Lin:

Thanks to all the speakers and journalists. Today's press conference concludes here. Thank you.

Translated and edited by Zhang Liying, Wang Qian, Guo Yiming, Wang Yiming, Yuan Fang, Zhang Junmian, He Shan, Zhang Jiaqi, Wang Wei, Liu Jianing, Cui Can, Xu Xiaoxuan, Liu Sitong, Yang Xi, Zhu Bochen, Ma Yujia, Li Huiru, Chen Xia, Li Xiao, David Ball, Jay Birbeck, and Tom Arnstein. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.

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Read in Chinese

Speakers:

Wang Xiaohui, deputy head in charge of routine work of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC)

Fu Xingguo, deputy head of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee

Hu Heping, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and minister of culture and tourism

Qu Qingshan, head of the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee

Major General Li Jun, assistant director of the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission

Chairperson:

Xu Lin, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and minister of the State Council Information Office

Date:

March 23, 2021

Xu Lin:

Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the media, good morning. Welcome to this press conference held by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC). This year marks the centenary of the founding of the CPC. Over the past 100 years, the CPC has remained committed to its original aspiration and founding mission of seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation. The Party has rallied and led the Chinese people in a tenacious struggle for development, accomplishing great achievements recognized by the entire world. China's development has not only delivered a better life for the Chinese people, but also contributed to the well-being of the world and the lofty cause of peace and development for humanity.

Celebrating the centenary of the CPC's founding is a major event in the political life of our Party and country, which attracts much attention from home and abroad. To mark the centenary, the CPC Central Committee will hold a series of celebration activities. In the press conference today, leading officials from relevant departments will brief you on the arrangements and considerations for the celebration activities. They will also answer your questions.

Present at today's press conference are: Mr. Wang Xiaohui, deputy head in charge of routine work of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee; Mr. Fu Xingguo, deputy head of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee; Mr. Hu Heping, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and minister of culture and tourism; Mr. Qu Qingshan, head of the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee; and Major General Li Jun, assistant director of the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission (CMC).

Since there are many foreign reporters present, simultaneous interpretation services will be available throughout the press conference. If reporters ask questions in English, the question part will be interpreted into Chinese.

Next, let's give the floor to Mr. Wang Xiaohui.

Wang Xiaohui:

Friends from the media, good morning. It is my pleasure to brief you on the arrangements to celebrate the centenary of the founding of the CPC. As you all know, the CPC has travelled a glorious journey of 100 years, growing from a small party with only over 50 members to the world's largest ruling Marxist party with more than 91 million members. The CPC was born 100 years ago amid domestic turmoil and foreign aggression. During the past century, the Party has grown bigger and stronger by overcoming various setbacks and hardships. It has rallied and led the Chinese people in exploring a great path, achieving great accomplishments, and creating a great miracle in the development history of the Chinese nation and the progress of human civilization.  

General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized on various occasions: "One who wants to stride ahead should not forget the path that was trodden. No matter how far we will travel and how bright a future we will have, we should not forget what we have experienced and why we set out." As the CPC celebrates its centenary year, we will hold activities to review the great journey during which the Party has always stuck together with the people through thick and thin and won one victory after another; to summarize the glorious achievements and valuable experience the Party has gained over the past century; and to demonstrate historic achievements and changes made in all undertakings of the Party and the country in the new era under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. The celebration activities are of far-reaching significance for motivating and mobilizing the entire Party, the military, and the people of all ethnic groups in China to rally more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and to move forward with full confidence on the new journey toward fully building a modern socialist country.

According to the plan approved by the CPC Central Committee, the celebrations will include the following activities:

First, carrying out a campaign on Party history learning and education. While consolidating the outcomes of the initiative to raise awareness of the need to stay true to the Party's founding mission, we will launch a campaign on Party history learning and education among all Party members. The campaign will run through the year 2021, requiring Party members to grasp the truth, increase confidence, uphold moral principles, and improve conduct. Party officials will be urged to study the Party's history, understand its theories, do practical work and make new advances.

Second, holding a grand celebration gathering. In the name of the CPC Central Committee, we will hold a grand gathering to mark the CPC's centenary. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the CMC, will deliver an important speech at the event.

Third, we will carry out the "July 1 Medal" selection and awarding, and commend model Party members, Party affairs workers, and Party organizations. In the name of the CPC Central Committee, we will award July 1 Medals to Party members who have made outstanding contributions to the Party and created invaluable spiritual treasure. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the CMC, will sign and issue certificates, and confer the medals. We will also select and recognize national outstanding Party members, Party affairs workers and national advanced primary-level Party organizations. We will award "Glorious 50 Years in the CPC" commemorative medals to veteran Party members who have a Party membership of at least 50 years and have consistently performed well. In addition, we will organize visits and greeting activities with Party members commended for meritorious service within the Party, Party members facing financial difficulties, veteran Party members and officials, family members of martyrs and Party officials who have died at their posts, to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation.

Fourth, we will hold a major exhibition. We will hold a large-scale exhibition under the theme of "remain true to our original aspiration and keep our mission firmly in mind," to illustrate the glorious journey, great achievements and valuable experience of the CPC over the past 100 years in a comprehensive, systematic, vivid and all-round manner.

Fifth, we will hold a gala performance. We will hold a large-scale gala performance to celebrate the CPC's centenary, and invite Party and state leaders, representatives who have received meritorious honors, grassroots Party members and representatives from various sectors of the general public to attend.

Sixth, we will organize seminars and symposiums on theoretical study. The Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee will jointly hold a seminar on theoretical aspects to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC together with the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), the Institute of Party History and Literature, the Ministry of Education, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and the Political Work Department of the CMC. The Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee will host a symposium for national outstanding Party members and Party affairs workers, and representatives of national advanced primary-level Party organizations to celebrate the CPC's centenary, and also hold a symposium for veteran Party members and officials, as well as a seminar on historical experience in Party development. The United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee will hold a symposium for people from various sectors to celebrate the centenary after consultations with the central committees of the non-communist political parties, public figures with no party affiliation and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce.

Seventh, we will create and present a series of literary and artistic works and publications. We will make and broadcast documentaries and special programs based on the glorious history, great achievements and valuable experience of the CPC during the 100 years since its founding, as well as the role models that have emerged in different historic periods. We will produce and present a batch of outstanding literary and artistic works in a variety of forms including drama, music, dance, film, TV series and so on with high cultural appeal and artistic taste. We will publish a number of key Party history books and theoretical articles, and compile and release key publications such as one titled "One Hundred Years of the Communist Party of China." In addition, commemorative stamps, envelopes and coins will also be issued on the theme of the CPC's centenary celebrations.

Eighth, we will carry out publicity and educational activities among the public. We will roll out programs under the theme of "following the CPC forever" in urban and rural areas across the country. Various localities, especially places of great significance in the Party's history, will organize colorful celebrations around important events, important activities and important historic sites in the Party's history based on local conditions.

Under the requirement of the CPC Central Committee, all these activities will be carried out strictly in line with the Eight-point Rules on Frugality and relevant implementation regulations, and in accordance with COVID-19 control measures, so as to ensure that they are conducted in a solemn, jubilant, pragmatic, thrifty, safe and orderly manner.

That concludes my introduction. Thank you.

Xu Lin:

Thank you Mr. Wang Xiaohui. Now let's begin the Q&A segment. Friends from the media, please ask your questions. Please indicate your news outlet before asking question. Please go ahead.

CCTV:

In recent years, we have held many major celebrations, such as the 40th anniversary of reform and opening up, and the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. These were all very impressive. Just now you also introduced the main content of the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the CPC's founding. Compared with major celebrations in the past, what are the new features and highlights this time? Thank you.

Wang Xiaohui:

During the CPC's centenary celebrations, we have made efforts to explore and innovate in all aspects on the basis of carefully summarizing and absorbing the successful experience from previous major commemorative activities. In summary, the celebrations will include the following main features:

First, we will highlight the leading role of ideology. Whether it is studying and teaching Party history, holding the commemorative gathering, launching the large-scale exhibition, or awarding medals, making selections and commendations, and presenting performances, we will pay attention to highlighting the ideological aspect. We hope that by summarizing and looking back over history, Party officials and the general public can deeply understand how history and the people have chosen Marxism, the CPC, the socialist path, and reform and opening up. We also hope that they can deeply understand that, from Shikumen to Tiananmen, from the "Red Boat" to the "giant Chinese ship," all the efforts, struggles and sacrifices our Party has made in the past 100 years have been for the happiness of the people and national rejuvenation. We will sing out loudly the main theme of the times across the whole of society, praising the CPC, socialism, reform and opening up, the great motherland, and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups.

Second, we will create a festive atmosphere at the grassroots. The centenary is not only the birthday of the CPC but also an occasion for celebration among the people. To create a festive atmosphere at the grassroots and among the people, we will establish several platforms that are both accessible and inviting to the public. For example, we will organize interactive activities around the themes of "Revisiting revolutionary history and carrying forward a fighting spirit," "A closer look at the embodiments of China's strength," and "Getting to know poverty relief achievements and contributing to rural vitalization," among others. We will recommend travel routes to revolutionary sites and organize a variety of cultural activities for the public in order to arouse people's enthusiasm for participation as much as possible.

Third, we will step up efforts to improve people's wellbeing. We will combine the celebration with the improvement of people's wellbeing. With a focus on groups facing the most dire difficulties and biggest problems, we will work to address those problems that most concern people's wellbeing. In particular, we will ensure that public services are inclusive, meet essential needs, and ensure basic living standards for those people facing difficulties in order to enhance their sense of gain, happiness, and security.

Fourth, we will promote inter-party exchanges. The CPC is an open political party. The centenary offers an opportunity for the CPC to engage in multi-level inter-party dialogues and exchanges in multiple forms to publicize the CPC's governance philosophy and China's development path and to share its governance experience with the world's political parties. The CPC is ready to work with political parties around the world to foster a new model of party-to-party relations and promote the building of a community with a shared future. Thank you.

Xinhua:

As we know, the advantage and strength of a Marxist political party lie in its tight and strict organizational system. Could you please give us a brief introduction to the building of the CPC's primary-level Party organizations? In addition, this year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC and related activities themed around "Party flags flying high at the primary level" will be held. What are the thoughts behind this arrangement? Thank you.

Fu Xingguo:

The primary-level Party organizations lay the foundation for the CPC's governance. They are the foundation of the CPC's work and its capacity to take on challenges. By December 2019, the nation had 4.681 million primary-level Party organizations and 91.914 million Party members. Historically, the CPC has attached importance to the work of consolidating its foundation. In particular, since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, we have placed great emphasis on primary-level Party organizations. We have focused on improving their organizational capacity and given priority to their political functions. The implementation of major tasks has become the touchstone for primary-level Party organizations and the "last mile" of implementing the decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee has been got through. As we have seen through the major battles and tests related to epidemic control, poverty alleviation, and flood control and relief, Party organizations at various levels have become pillars of strength and Party members across the nation have played the role of spearheading the Party's policies. This fully demonstrates the capacity for organization and action, as well as the capacity to take on challenges of the Party's tight and strict organizational system.

For the centenary, the goal of holding activities themed "Party flags flying high at the primary level" is to encourage and mobilize primary-level Party organizations and Party members across the nation to stay true to the Party's original aspirations and founding mission and to strive to break new ground and embark on a new journey. Overall, we will revolve around the principle of "Strengthening Party organizations, serving and contributing, and solving problems for the people," and launch programs themed "Addressing real problems for the people" in the course of the campaign on Party history learning and education.

First, we will give full play to the "stronghold" role of primary-level Party organizations. We will mobilize primary-level Party organizations from various fronts and sectors to shoulder heavy responsibilities, tackle tough issues head-on, and become the "backbone" of the people in the fields of economic development, the improvement of people's wellbeing, rural vitalization, grassroots-level governance, projects construction, and leading scientific and technological breakthroughs. 

Second, we will give full play to the role of Party members as spearheads and role models. By setting up role model positions, boosting a sense of responsibility, encouraging volunteering, and fulfilling promises, we will guide Party members to strive for excellence and provide quality service in their daily work. We will see that they are up to the standards of Party members, are brave to stand up at crucial moments, and are willing to make sacrifices in moments of crisis. 

Third, we will give full play to the role of Party members who hold leadership positions. We will encourage them to take the lead in implementing the "mass line" of the Party and strengthening their sense of public service. With a focus on those people facing dire difficulties, the most prominent problems in society, and the matters that most relate to practical interests. We will also solve a slew of urgent and difficult problems for the people to enhance their sense of gain, happiness, and security. In addition, we will organize a series of visits and activities learn from role models. We will organize new Party members to take an admission of oath and veteran Party members to review their admission oath in order to spur Party members across the nation to strive for new achievements in the new era.

Thank you.

Nikkei:

As I live and work in Beijing, I find that many young people in China do not seem to know much about the CPC history, especially the history since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. How will the younger generation be educated about Party history in the future? What arrangements do you have in place for the first Party-wide campaign on CPC history learning and education? Thank you.

Wang Xiaohui:

The history of the CPC occupies the most heroic and moving chapter in the modern history of China. It is also a textbook full of rich and vivid content. Therefore, our Party has always attached great importance to drawing wisdom and strength from the history of the CPC for further advancement. As early as 1941 during the Yan'an period, our Party organized high-ranking officials to study Marxism-Leninism and sum up CPC history. Now as we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, the CPC Central Committee has decided to launch a campaign on Party history learning and education among all Party members. I think this is an important measure for us to sum up historical experiences, learn about the law of history and grasp the historical initiative. The decision is also made out of strategic consideration to keep our original aspiration and mission well in mind, stay true to our beliefs and convictions, and firm up our confidence in success. Our aim is to guide Party officials to carry forward fine Party traditions, pass on the traditions of revolution, always maintain the fighting spirit of CPC members and their attachment to the people, and keep on striving with endless energy and unconquerable attitude to make new achievements in the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.  

Last month, General Secretary Xi Jinping attended a key meeting to launch a campaign on Party history learning and education among all Party members and delivered an important speech. The CPC Central Committee issued a circular on carrying out a Party-wide campaign on CPC history learning and education, making overall arrangements for the campaign. The campaign has been launched among all Party members, especially officials at and above the county and director level. The major arrangements are as follows:

First, themed study seminars will be held. We will continue to promote a combination of group study and individual study. Officials will participate in group study sessions and reading seminars, among others. Party schools, academies of governance and executive leadership academies at all levels will organize themed training sessions on CPC history. Primary-level Party organizations will practice the system of holding Party branch plenary meetings, meetings of Party branch committees, Party group meetings, and Party lectures, and launch studying activities on themed days. 

Second, publicity and lecture programs will be organized. We have sent the central lecture team to give special lectures across the country. All localities have also been encouraged to organize and send lecture teams to the grassroots, giving face-to-face lectures and making interactive discussions. Meanwhile, we will carry out publicity and education among the general public on histories of the CPC, the country, reform and opening up, and socialist development. 

Third, we will hold meetings of Party members in leadership positions and meetings of primary-level Party organizations on the theme. Party members in leadership positions of all levels must participate in the latter as ordinary Party members. In addition to that, they must study, discuss, exchange views, analyze the Party spirit, and receive ideological education together with other Party members.

Fourth, we will carry out practical activities to serve the people. Party members are required to embrace our original aspiration and mission, and learn more about people's lives and public opinion through visits. Party members should carry out activities to serve the people at their posts, address people's difficulties and concerns at the community level, and make the public enjoy benefits in the true sense.

As you just said, some of our adolescents don't know much about the CPC history due to their young age and lack of experience. So, while carrying out publicity and education among the general public on the history of the CPC, the country, reform and opening up, and socialist development, we have always given high priority to learning and education among adolescents. It will be promoted mainly in two aspects. On the one hand, we will actively incorporate the campaign into school textbooks and classes to ensure young people keep the history of the CPC well in mind; compile textbooks for college, primary and secondary school students on the history of the CPC, the country, reform and opening up, and socialist development; and promote colleges to offer courses or lectures on Party history. On the other hand, we will attach great importance to meeting the needs of adolescents; make full use of convergence media and patriotic education; guide adolescents by means of study practices and social surveys to understand Party history, love the Party and the country, unswervingly listen to the Party and follow the Party. Thank you.

Hong Kong Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group:

The celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC is a major and joyous event. In the past, many good works of literature and art have been presented for similar events. What are some of the best works that we can look forward to this year around this theme? Thank you.

Hu Heping:

Literary and artistic works are the rallying call for the advancement of the times. They are the best embodiment of the times, and most capable of leading the ethos of an era. Looking back on the CPC's 100-year history, the Party has united and led the people to fight for national independence and people's liberation, to achieve national prosperity and people's happiness, and to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, creating numerous praiseworthy achievements and leaving behind countless heroic deeds. In the past 100 years, the Party has attached great importance to literary and artistic works. A huge number of masterpieces have been made about its historic achievements and its fight. These works have become an inspiration to many people and a boost to the national spirit, inspiring us to secure victory on every step. Some of these works have become long-lasting classics. For example, "The Yellow River Cantata" embodies the unyielding character of the Chinese people, and is a rallying call that encourages the Chinese people to fight. There are also other classic works such as the opera "Sister Jiang;" the song "My Motherland;" the Chinese paintings "Jiangshan Ruci Duojiao" ("How Beautiful the Motherland Looks"), "Galloping Horse," and "Wanshan Hongbian" ("Thousands of Hills in A Crimsoned View"); the oil painting "The Founding Ceremony of the Nation"; and the sculpture "Jianku Suiyue" ("Arduous Times"). To celebrate the centenary of the founding of the Party and to revisit these classics, we have revived a number of classic works this year, such as the national opera "The White-haired Girl," the opera-ballet "The Red Detachment of Women," and the symphonic and choral concert "Long March Suite." 

As you mention that when it comes to big events and joyful occasions, we always intensify our efforts on introducing literary and artistic works. This year, regarding the centenary anniversary of the founding of the CPC, we have implemented a project to create fine stage performances and a project to create thematic artistic works. We will organize the creation of 100 stage performances in different categories and on different subjects. This includes works with revolutionary historical themes, such as operas "Red Boat," and "Yimeng Mountain;" the Peking Opera "Stories of the Red Army;" and the dance drama "The Eternal Wave." There are also realism works, such as the national opera "Fupin Lushang" ("On the Way to Alleviate Poverty"), which promotes the spirit of poverty alleviation; the Caidiao Opera (a type of local drama from Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region) "New Liu Sanjie", which depicts fulfilling rural life; and the stage play "Renmin Zhishang" ("People First"), which praises our great fight against the epidemic. We will also develop a batch of artistic works focusing on the Party's endeavors over the past 100 years, and these works will be exhibited both online and offline, in a bid to let more people be informed of the Party's history, and receive education via literary and artistic works.

Mr. Wang Xiaohui mentioned earlier that people are very much looking forward to the stage performance to celebrate the centenary anniversary of the founding of the CPC. The performance will be presented in the form of a large-scale epic theatre production. Through music and dance, stage plays, square marching, dramas, and video documentations, the performance will vividly present the CPC's 100-year endeavor of leading the people in pursuing revolution, construction, and reform. It will also celebrate the historic achievements that China has made as well as the historic transformations happening under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core since the 18th CPC National Congress, and exhibit the promising future of fully realizing a modern socialist country.

Thank you.

ITAR-TASS: 

The People's Liberation Army has always held important arrangements for the big events and celebrations. Will be there any large-scale events organized by the People's Liberation Army? Will the People's Liberation Army, for example, hold parades or something else? Thank you.

Li Jun:

Thank you for your question. A massive celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC is a major political task for the military. According to the deployments of the CPC Central Committee, the CMC has made unified arrangements for celebration events held by the PLA. The overall considerations are to resolutely implement a series of important instructions from Chairman Xi; center around the theme of loving the Party, the nation and socialism; hold tight to the red line of the Party's absolute leadership over the people's armed forces; focus on the centenary goals of the founding of the armed forces; guide officers and soldiers to forge a strong sense of faith in the military; and educate all who serve in the armed forces to always serve as the heroic army that the Party and the people can fully trust. The specific arrangements highlight four aspects:

First, we will forge absolute loyalty. The people's armed forces are created and led by the Party. The armed forces' celebrations focus on solidifying the ideological foundation for safeguarding the core leadership and obeying the Party's command. The study and education of the Party's history should involve all officers and soldiers. We will motivate all the members of the armed forces to further enhance their trust in and support for the Party, encourage them to be devoted to, safeguard and align themselves with the leadership core in a more determined and voluntary manner, and resolutely abide by the commands of and keep a keen sense of responsibility to Chairman Xi so as to keep him reassured.

Second, we will appreciate the power of theory. The century-old history of the Party is a history of constantly promoting theoretical innovation, and also a history of guiding the people and improving practices with innovative theories. We will hold theoretical seminars for the whole armed forces to celebrate the centenary of the founding of the CPC, and hold forums on strengthening the armed forces. We will continuously deepen the theoretical research, publicity and interpretation to recognize the power of the Party's innovative theories in their thinking and practices. Particularly, we will conscientiously apprehend the truth reflected in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and ensure that our work to develop national defense and the armed forces is guided by Xi Jinping's thinking on strengthening the military.

Third, we will continue to carry forward the revolutionary spirit. The history of the Party is the most vivid and convincing textbook. We will hold an exhibition themed "Under the Banner of the Party" in the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution, launch a brand new second edition of "Xing Huo Liao Yuan", establish and open partial displays at the Chinese Navy Museum and other key military history venues including the PLA Hong Kong Garrison Exhibition Center. We will carry out immersive education in venues of significance in CPC history and revolutionary memorial sites, so as to continue with fine conduct on the new journey and carry forward good behaviors in the new era.

Fourth, we will stay committed to strengthening the armed forces. For Chinese soldiers in the new era, striving to build a strong and top-level military is the best way to celebrate the centenary of the Party. In the name of the CMC, we will commend outstanding Party members and Party affairs workers and advanced Party organizations throughout the PLA, and present role models such as "the most beautiful revolutionary soldiers of the new era." We will make military-themed films such as "The Guardian of the Island," "The Battle at the Lake Changjin," and "The Pioneer" to foster a strong atmosphere of obeying the Party's command and working hard to build a strong military.

According to the plans of the CPC Central Committee and the CMC, there is no arrangement for a military parade for the Party's centenary celebrations. All officers and soldiers will remain at their posts to celebrate the centenary of the Party and safeguard the peace and security of the motherland and the people. Thank you.

Phoenix TV:

The PLA has always emphasized the Party's absolute leadership over the people's armed forces, so how will the armed forces reflect this in the events marking the Party's centenary? In addition, what's the special significance for the military to celebrate the centenary of the Party? Thank you.

Li Jun:

I am glad to answer this question with which you are concerned. As we all know, since its founding, the PLA has been closely linked with the Party and has always acted and fought under the absolute leadership of the Party. The celebrations of the military will make upholding the Party's absolute leadership over the people's armed forces the fundamental focus and the most distinctive feature, and work to build the loyal conviction that the people's armed forces should always follow and obey the instructions of the Party. On the momentous occasion of the centenary of the Party, the armed forces will hold celebrations while coordinating military training, war preparedness and reform and development. I would like to sum up the special significance for the military to celebrate the Party's centenary with the following three "betters":

The first "better" is to better forge the political soul of obeying the Party's commands. Obeying the Party's commands is deeply integrated into the DNA and blood of the people's armed forces. The celebrations of the armed forces will focus on drawing political nourishment from the Party's struggle and great achievements over the century, especially the historic achievements and changes in the new era. We will continue to educate the armed forces with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially Xi Jinping's thinking on strengthening the military. We will guide officers and soldiers to strengthen their consciousness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership; stay confident in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics; and uphold General Secretary Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and uphold the Party Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership. We will implement the system of ultimate responsibility resting with the chair of the CMC, and obey the commands of the CPC Central Committee, the CMC, and Chairman Xi in all actions.

The second "better" is to better gather the willpower to advance military training and war preparedness. The century-long journey of the Party embodies great revolutionary spirit and unique ways of winning. The officers and soldiers of the armed forces will have a profound understanding of our Party's valuable experience in leading China's revolution, construction, and reform; and understand and grasp the Party's art of planning for and commanding in military struggles. We will readily translate intense enthusiasm into actions to strengthen the armed forces, transform the Party's political and organizational strengths into winning strengths, and get prepared for various complex and difficult situations at any time. We will also build up our fighting spirit while not being intimidated by strong opponents, and resolutely accomplish the missions and tasks assigned by the Party and the people in the new era.

The third "better" is to better preserve the original character and conduct of the people's armed forces. The Party has gone through many vicissitudes without changing its original aspiration, and experienced hardships without altering its character. An important "secret" for this is that the Party has cultivated and upheld a set of proud traditions and fine conduct. The armed forces of all levels have taken it as a must-do task to review the Party's history, original aspiration, and purpose, and we have promoted the program for passing on the traditions of revolution. The efforts will guide the officers and soldiers of the armed forces to be faithful heirs of the Party's proud traditions and fine conduct, always preserve the character of the Red Army veterans, and set a good example of the people's armed forces and the revolutionary officers and soldiers in the new era. Thank you.

Lianhe Zaobao:

Over the past century since its founding, the CPC has made substantial achievements, but at the same time experienced some setbacks which have left it with some lessons. I would like to ask what new summaries of the successes and setbacks will the CPC make at this centenary of its founding? In addition, how will the Party deal with future risks and challenges? Thank you.

Qu Qingshan:

Thank you for your questions. Over the 100 years, the CPC has forged glory amid hardships, gained success through exploration, set things right after making mistakes, and won a future after struggle. Over the past century, the CPC has dealt with challenges, overcome difficulties, and won victories, all one after another, by closely relying on the people. It has made great historical contributions to the Chinese nation, and laid a realistic foundation for the Chinese people and the Chinese nation to build on the past and forge ahead courageously.

In the face of a series of risks and challenges, the CPC has kept strengthening and improving itself with the courage of self-reform, and made itself increasingly stronger to always be the leadership core for social development and progress as well as the backbone of the Chinese people. After we sum up its experience in resolving risks and challenges in the past 100 years, I think the Party needs to focus on giving play to four powers when dealing with future risks and challenges. I will briefly summarize them here as the power of leadership, the power of ideology, the power of system, and the power of the people.

First, the power of leadership. Leadership of the CPC is the most essential attribute of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and the greatest strength of this system. On the way forward, we must rely on the Party's leadership as the "stabilizer," and work harder to uphold the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, so that our Party can better play its role of leadership core in guiding the overall situation and coordinating the work of all sides, and always maintain its great vitality and strong ability.

Second, the power of ideology. Marxism is the guiding ideology of the CPC and the soul of the ideals and convictions of CPC members. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the ideological banner of the CPC in the new era, and is Marxism in contemporary China and the 21st century. On the way forward, we must continue to integrate Marxism with China's actual conditions, advance theoretical exploration with great effort, and use the latest achievements in the Party's theoretical innovation to arm ourselves, educate the people, guide practice, and advance work, so that the light of truth will be transformed into a powerful material force driving the cause of the Party and the people.

Third, the strength of the system. The system of socialism with Chinese characteristics provides the fundamental institutional guarantee for progress and development in contemporary China. Socialism with Chinese characteristics is the fundamental achievement made by the CPC in uniting the Chinese people and leading them in overcoming countless hardships at enormous cost. Consequently, as we march forward, we must unswervingly stick to and improve socialism with Chinese characteristics. We must neither retrace our steps to the rigidity and isolation of the past, nor take the wrong turn by changing our nature and abandoning our system. We will transform China's institutional advantages into effective state governance so as to provide fundamental guarantees for realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. 

Forth, the strength of the people. People are the creators of history and the fundamental force driving history forward. The people are the foundation and lifeblood of the Party, and the source of the Party's strength. As we march forward, we must rely closely on the strength of the people, always consider people's hearts as the biggest political power, and take winning their support as the main source of confidence to govern. We will share weal and woe with the people, and share the same future with them, so as to create a mighty force that allows us to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and join together as one to firmly march toward the grand objective. 

Thank you.

China Daily:

This year, the CPC Central Committee will award the July 1 Medal for the first time, and also honor those who have been Party members for at least 50 years with commemorative medals for the first time. Could you please share some more information with us on this? Thank you. 

Fu Xingguo:

Thank you for your question. Let me start by talking about the selection and awarding of the July 1 Medal.

In order to mark the centenary of the CPC, the CPC Central Committee has decided to award the July 1 Medal for the first time. In accordance with the intra-Party award regulations of medals and honorary titles released by the CPC Central Committee in 2017, the July 1 Medal, which has been initiated by the CPC Central Committee, represents the highest honor of the CPC. In general, it will be granted every five or 10 years to celebrate major anniversaries of the CPC.

Candidates for the July 1 Medal must meet four requirements: First, they must adhere to firm ideals and convictions, and be loyal to the Party. They must strengthen their consciousness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment. They must enhance confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and uphold General Secretary Xi Jinping's core position in both the CPC Central Committee and the Party as a whole as well as the CPC Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership. Second, they must have made outstanding contributions to China's revolution, construction and reforms, as well as to the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, the battle against poverty and the great new project of Party building. Third, they should be role models in terms of morality and conduct, and should have created precious spiritual treasure. Fourth, they should have significantly influenced the Party and the whole society and received high praise. 

The selection process of the July 1 Medal will follow the correct political direction and sound political criteria, and will also focus on achievements. It will follow the principles of openness, justice and equity, and strictly implement the selection procedures, which will include the following steps: nomination, preliminary review, examination, deliberation and public announcement. The CPC Central Committee will hold a grand ceremony to present the medals ahead of July 1 this year. At present, the relevant work is well underway as planned.

Moreover, ahead of July 1 this year, the CPC Central Committee will honor a group of outstanding Party members and Party affairs workers and advanced primary-level Party organizations. 

Next, I would like to share some information on the "Glorious 50 Years in the CPC" commemorative medals.

The CPC Central Committee attaches great importance to giving incentives, care and assistance to Party members, especially to senior Party members. In accordance with the measures of the CPC to give incentives, care and assistance to its members released in 2019, those who have been Party members for 50 years or longer, and have consistently performed well in their roles, will be awarded the "Glorious 50 Years in the CPC" commemorative medal. 

According to the arrangements of the CPC Central Committee, the commemorative medals will be awarded for the first time ahead of July 1. This is an important part of the CPC centenary celebrations. The recipients will be living CPC members who have been Party members for 50 years or longer as of July 1, 2021, who have consistently performed well in their roles. Those veteran Party members have dedicated their life to the cause of the Party. The awarding of commemorative medals to them demonstrates the care and commendation of the CPC Central Committee. It will help Party members enhance their sense of honor, of belonging and of mission, and will encourage generations of CPC members to continue to dedicate themselves and struggle. It will also pool the collective strength of all Party members to achieve the 14th Five-Year Plan and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035. 

Currently, the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee is organizing the design and manufacturing of the commemorative medals to ensure that over 7.1 million eligible senior Party members will receive them before July 1, and truly feel the care and warmth from the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core.

Thank you. 

The Paper:

Nowadays, an increasing number of people are enjoying "red tourism." Could you tell us what the features of red tourism are? And what measures will be rolled out to boost its development to mark the 100th anniversary of the CPC's founding? Thank you.

Hu Heping:

During the CPC's century-long struggle, a large number of revolutionary sites and artifacts have been preserved. At present, there are 36,000 immovable revolutionary relics, and over 1 million pieces or sets of movable ones in the country. Among them, we are very familiar with the sites of the first CPC national congress and Zunyi Conference, Jinggangshan and Yan'an revolutionary sites, as well as Loushan Pass, site of the Battle of Lazikou and the iron-chain bridge along the route of Long March, plus the translation of "The Communist Manifesto" by Chen Wangdao, the first person to translate it into Chinese, the manuscript of "Lovely China" by Fang Zhimin and the Five-starred Red Flag rising at the founding ceremony of the People's Republic of China in 1949. The Party's splendid development is recorded in these relics, which have become spiritual treasures reminding us of the arduous struggles and glory days. 

In recent years, people have developed a stronger interest in learning about revolutionary history and enjoying revolutionary culture, while visiting revolutionary sites, memorials and museums has become increasingly popular, leading to the gradual development of red tourism. From 2004 to 2019, with the expansion of national red tourism resources, more and more valuable relics have been unveiled. Meanwhile, the number of annual red tourism trips has increased from 140 million to 1.41 billion. Many revolutionary sites have become places where middle-aged and older people recall the passions of the past and feel the changes of time, and where young people learn revolutionary stories and honor the heroes. Some destinations are increasingly popular, such as Yan'an, a sacred place of revolution, which includes such attractions as Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Hall, Yangjialing Revolutionary Site, Zaoyuan Revolutionary Site and Baota Mountain, which are packed with visitors during holidays. Those visiting include several generations of families, and even many people from overseas. In 2019, there were over 73 million visits to Yan'an.    

Red tourism not only meets people's demands for travel and learning about revolutionary tradition, but also promotes the economic development of revolutionary bases. For instance, Pingshan county in Hebei province, featuring the revolutionary base Xibaipo, relies on red tourism to develop rural tourism, pick-your-own fruit orchards and gift shops, employing over 80,000 workers and boosting people's incomes.  

For the CPC's centenary celebration, we will further the development of red tourism, combining learning and education about CPC history, in order to provide more quality products and services. We will release "100 selected red tours" and launch various events to mark the centenary, such as a contest for tour guides on revolutionary history, organizing top storytellers to visit government departments, campuses, troop units and tell revolutionary stories. Many revolutionary tourist attractions and travel agencies have also launched various activities to attract tourists, allowing them to learn about revolutionary traditions. We will also organize revolutionary research and study tours, and hold a red tourism planning and creativity competition for college students to guide them to learn more about the struggles of their predecessors.  

In addition, we have recently been planning a national work meeting on revolutionary relics to roll out overall arrangements for enhancing the protection of relics, boosting the development of memorials and museums, as well as promoting red tourism based on revolutionary relics. This will help people better protect relics, carry forward the revolutionary spirit, and create better conditions for visitors on red tourism trips. Thank you.

Xu Lin:

Due to time constraints, we will only take one more question.

People's Daily:

General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed on many occasions the need to carry forward the revolutionary spirit, glorious traditions, and fine conduct of the CPC. What are the revolutionary spirit, glorious traditions, and fine conduct that the CPC has forged in its hundred years of history? What is the significance of carrying them forward into the new era? Thank you.

Qu Qingshan:

One of the purposes of launching a campaign on Party history learning and education is to further carry forward the revolutionary spirit, glorious traditions, and fine conduct of the CPC and to inspire Party officials and the general public to march toward a brand new journey in high spirit in the new era.

The CPC attaches great importance to the role of the revolutionary spirit. Comrade Mao Zedong once pointed out that man must have some inner force. General Secretary Xi Jinping has also emphasized on many occasions that for individuals, inner force is important, as it is for a nation. Over the past century, the CPC has united and led the people of all ethnic groups across the country to create not only enormous material wealth but also a great revolutionary spirit. The Research Institute of Party History and Documents of the CPC Central Committee has been working on a project that focuses on how the CPC spirit has evolved over time. According to incomplete statistics, there have been more than 90 different branches of revolutionary spirit forged and developed by the Party throughout different historical periods.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has talked about many types of revolutionary spirit. He has mentioned more than 40 kinds of revolutionary spirit, as well discussed and elaborated on more than 20 others, including the Red Boat Spirit, the spirit of Jinggang Mountains, the Long March spirit, the Yan'an spirit, the spirit of resisting aggression, the Xibaipo spirit, the spirit forged in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953), the spirit of the "Iron Man" Wang Jinxi, the spirit of Daqing, the spirit of Jiao Yulu, the spirit of Lei Feng, the spirit of Wang Jie, the spirit of the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" project, the spirit of the Special Administrative Region, the spirit of manned spaceflight, the spirit of quake relief, the spirit of model workers, the spirit of combating the COVID-19 epidemic, and the spirit of lunar exploration. At a grand gathering to mark the nation's poverty alleviation accomplishments and honor model poverty fighters on Feb. 25, General Secretary Xi Jinping also summarized how China has cultivated a spirit of poverty alleviation.

In the 1950s and 1960s, in order to change China's unfavorable situation in its oil industry, oil drilling workers at the time, as represented by Comrade Wang Jinxi, shouted slogans and made a vow: "I would give up 20 years of life so China can produce oil on its own land." The workers strove to "take off its oil-poor hat and cast it into the Pacific Ocean." In order to suppress a blowout at the oilfield, Wang Jinxi jumped into a mud pool and mixed the mud using his body, leading him to be hailed as the "Iron Man." Many people have seen the photo that captures that moment. We were moved, inspired, and encouraged by the spirit that the "Iron Man" Wang forged through his practical actions and noble qualities. He died at 47. 

Since the founding of the CPC, the Party has always attached importance to cultivating fine traditions and conduct. At the seventh CPC National Congress in 1945, Comrade Mao Zedong put forward the three fine conducts of the Party. It was the first time that we had made such a summary. Later, these fine conducts were developed and enriched in practice and gradually forged into a series of glorious traditions for the Party such as staying loyal to the Party, seeking truth from facts, combining theory with practice, maintaining close contact with the people, conducting criticism and self-criticism, adhering to democratic centralism, maintaining modesty and prudence, being free from arrogance and impetuosity, working hard, staying pragmatic, and having the courage to fight and the mettle to win. 

The revolutionary spirit and the glorious traditions and fine conduct of the CPC are precious to the spiritual wealth of the Party and the country. It is a comprehensive manifestation of the ideals and beliefs, moral character, work style, and morale of CPC members. It carries the original aspirations and mission of CPC members and inspires the entire Party and the country to bravely forge ahead. In the journey to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, we are faced with many risks and challenges which require us to continue to carry forward the revolutionary spirit, glorious traditions, and fine conduct, as well as invigorate our fighting spirit and continue to create more brilliant achievements! Thank you!

Xu Lin:

The press conference is hereby concluded. Thank you, speakers and friends from the media. Thank you all.

Translated and edited by Zhang Liying, Zhang Junmian, Zhang Rui, Liu Qiang, Zhu Bochen, Chen Xia, Zhang Jiaqi, Gong Yingchun, Fan Junmei, Wang Yanfang, He Shan, Wang Yiming, Li Huiru, Huang Shan, Xu Xiaoxuan, Wang Qian, Wang Wei, Li Xiao, David Ball, Jay Birbeck, and Tom Arnstein. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.

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Read in Chinese

Speakers:

Wang Xiaohui, deputy head in charge of routine work of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee

Jiang Jinquan, director of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee

Han Wenxiu, deputy director of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs

Ning Jizhe, deputy head and member of the leading Party members group of the National Development and Reform Commission, head and secretary of the leading Party members group of the National Bureau of Statistics

Wang Zhigang, minister and secretary of the leading Party members group of the Ministry of Science and Technology

Chairperson:

Xu Lin, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and minister of the State Council Information Office

Date:

Oct. 30, 2020

Xu Lin:

Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the media, good morning. Welcome to the first press conference held by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The CPC Central Committee's news release mechanism has been established  to meet the needs of new situations and present-day demands as socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. It is an important institutional arrangement and innovation for upholding and strengthening overall Party leadership and improving the Party's governance capability.

The theme of this CPC Central Committee's press conference is introducing and elaborating on the guiding principles of the 19th CPC Central Committee's fifth plenary session.

The 19th CPC Central Committee held its fifth plenary session in Beijing from Oct. 26 to 29. This was an important meeting as China is about to achieve the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and is embarking on a new journey to fully build a modern socialist country.

The session examined and approved the Proposals  of the CPC Central Committee for Formulating the 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035 . It has made systematic and strategic plans regarding the objectives set through the year 2035 and the economic and social development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).

Today, we have invited officials from relevant departments, who will brief you on the fifth plenary session, explain the content of the Proposals, and answer your questions.

Present at today's press conference are:

Mr. Wang Xiaohui, deputy head in charge of routine work of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee;

Mr. Jiang Jinquan, director of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee;

Mr. Han Wenxiu, deputy director of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs;

Mr. Ning Jizhe, deputy head and member of the leading Party members group of the National Development and Reform Commission, head and secretary of the leading Party members group of the National Bureau of Statistics;

Mr. Wang Zhigang, minister and secretary of the leading Party members group of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Since there are many foreign reporters present, simultaneous interpretation services are available throughout the press conference. If you ask questions in English, we will provide translations in Chinese.

Next, let's give the floor to Mr. Wang Xiaohui.

Wang Xiaohui:

Friends from the media at home and abroad, good morning. It is my pleasure to brief you on the fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee.

The 19th CPC Central Committee held its fifth plenary session in Beijing from Oct. 26 to 29, 2020. The session was presided over by the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, and was attended by members and alternate members of the Central Committee. Members of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and other leaders concerned were present at the session in a non-voting capacity, as were some community-level delegates to the 19th CPC National Congress and some experts and scholars. Participants at the plenary session heard and deliberated over the report on the work of the Political Bureau presented by General Secretary Xi Jinping on behalf of the Political Bureau. The participants also examined and approved the Proposals  of the CPC Central Committee for Formulating the 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035 , after hearing explanatory remarks given by General Secretary Xi Jinping about the draft document. At the close of the session, General Secretary Xi made an important speech. The session concluded after successfully completing all items on the agenda.

The participants fully affirmed the work that the Political Bureau has carried out since the fourth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, and highly appraised the defining achievements China has made in completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects. They unanimously agreed that in face of the complicated international situation and formidable tasks of advancing domestic reform and development while maintaining stability, particularly under the grave impacts of COVID-19, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has stayed true to the CPC's original aspiration and founding mission, and has united and led the whole Party and people of all ethnic groups in breaking new ground and forging ahead, and worked strenuously to advance various programs of the Party and the country while resolutely addressing all kinds of risks and challenges, thus steering the giant ship of socialism with Chinese characteristics steadily forward. Such experience has once again proved that with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core of the CPC Central Committee and the whole Party to take the helm, and with all CPC members and the whole nation united as one, we can surely overcome difficulties and obstacles of all kinds on the journey ahead, and vigorously advance socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

The plenary session is an important meeting of overarching and historic significance that has been held as China enters a new stage of development and is at a critical moment of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The 14th Five-Year Plan period covers the first five years during which China will start a new journey toward the second Centenary Goal of fully building a modern socialist country after having achieved the first Centenary Goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. China now is still in an important period of strategic opportunity for development, while facing profound and complex changes at home and abroad. Internationally, the world is undergoing momentous changes unseen in a century with quickening pace of evolution. The COVID-19 pandemic is exerting an extensive, far-reaching impact around the world, economic globalization is encountering headwinds, and dramatic changes are taking place in the international economic, scientific and technological, cultural, security and political landscapes. All of these place China in an increasingly complex external environment. Domestically, as our country has come to a key moment for realizing national rejuvenation, the principal contradiction facing the Chinese society has changed and our economy is transitioning to high-quality development. China enjoys multiple favorable conditions and strengths to pursue sustained development and, at the same time, faces many difficulties and challenges to come. At a historic moment when the timeframes of the two centenary goals converge, the CPC Central Committee convened the fifth plenary session to discuss matters relating to the 14th Five-Year Plan, draw up a blueprint for China's future development, and identify the direction and goals for the journey ahead. This is of great significance for inspiring the whole Party and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups to overcome the various risks and challenges on our journey ahead, and make a good start for building a modern socialist China in all respects.

The most important outcome of the session is its adoption of the Proposals  of the CPC Central Committee for Formulating the 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035 . The Proposals gives an in-depth analysis of the conditions facing China's development, both at home and abroad. The Proposals outlines the long-range prospect of basically realizing socialist modernization by 2035, and sets forth the guiding principles, main targets, priority tasks and major measures for the 14th Five-Year Plan period. It offers answers to what kind of development to pursue under the new conditions and how to achieve it. The session's participants all agreed that the document fully reflects the new changes in our current times, suits the requirements of the new era and responds to the new aspirations of the people. It will serve as a guiding document as China sets out on a new journey toward fully building a modern socialist country and realizing its second centenary goal. It will be a guide of action for China's economic and social development in the next five years and beyond.

A distinct feature of the Proposals is that it focuses on the principal contradiction facing the Chinese society and outlines a number of strategic and innovative measures for different fields. For instance, it defines fully building a modern socialist country as a foremost element of the Four-pronged Comprehensive Strategy; it identifies pursuing high-quality development as the main theme and deepening supply-side structural reforms as the main task; and it identifies self-reliance and self-strengthening in science and technology as being the strategic support to China's national development. It also emphasizes the strategic importance of expanding domestic demand, and underscores the need to embed the new vision for development and the idea of security-oriented development in all fields and in the entire process of China's development. For the first time, more notable and substantial progress toward the common prosperity of all Chinese people is set as a long-range goal. In particular, the document includes strategic steps for fostering a new development paradigm with domestic circulation as the mainstay and domestic and international circulations reinforcing each other, and specifies the main priorities and primary tasks for this endeavor. These strategic and innovative measures highlight the outstanding problems and areas of weakness in China's development, and respond to people's aspirations and wishes. They are significant for keeping the development initiative in China's own hands, for upgrading China's strength in competition, and for ensuring long-term and steady progress in China's development.

That's all of my introduction. Thank you.

Xu Lin:

Thank you, Mr. Wang. Now, I'll give the floor to Mr. Han Wenxiu.

Han Wenxiu:

Good morning everyone. I will now brief you on the drafting of the Proposals of the CPC Central Committee for Formulating the 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035. I'll talk about three main aspects.

First, the Proposals have been drafted under General Secretary Xi Jinping's personal leadership. To compile and implement medium- and long-term plans is an important way for the Party to run the country and guide economic and social development. Since China began its reform and opening up, for every five years, a medium- and long-term plan is drafted and, before that, the CPC Central Committee would formulate its proposals and set the guidelines and principles for the drafting of the document. This has become a good tradition. In March this year, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee made the decision that the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee would review the Proposals of the CPC Central Committee for Formulating the 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035, and that a drafting group was to be set up with General Secretary Xi Jinping as the head, and Comrades Li Keqiang, Wang Huning and Han Zheng as deputy heads. Over the past seven months, General Secretary Xi Jinping has chaired two meetings of the Political Bureau, three meetings of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau, and two meetings of the drafting group, to discuss and review the guiding principles, general approaches, overall framework and major contents of the draft. By giving important remarks and instructions, General Secretary Xi Jinping established the orientation, approach and strategy regarding the drafting of the Proposals. He has conducted in-depth research during field trips to different localities and communities, listened to views and suggestions from all sectors of society, and personally revised the draft document several times before its approval. His strategic oversight and personal devotion have ensured the successful completion of the draft Proposals with high quality.

Second, a main feature in drawing up the Proposals is the democratic and open approach intended to pool the wisdom and generate ideas in the drafting process. Late last year, General Secretary Xi Jinping instructed the relevant departments under the CPC Central Committee and the State Council to organize initial research on the major issues related to China's economic and social development in the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025). The Office of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs and the National Development and Reform Commission have commissioned more than 60 research institutions and agencies, including top think tanks in the country, to conduct research on 37 major issues, which produced more than 130 research reports. The National People's Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference have also sponsored research on special subjects and presented a series of research reports. The CPC Central Committee has twice solicited opinions inside and outside the CPC. The drafting group has studied and incorporated in the draft document helpful views and suggestions from various regions, competent departments and circles. In early August, General Secretary Xi Jinping gave an important instruction that top-level design should be combined with public opinions, and that the general public and different social sectors should be encouraged to offer their views and suggestions through various means, so that public aspirations, people's wisdom, expert views, and community experiences could all be absorbed to make the 14th Five-Year Plan a sound document. Between August 16 and 29, opinions were solicited online for the drafting of the 14th Five-Year Plan, the first time in the history of drafting CPC Central Committee Plenary Session documents. The public showed great interest and posted more than 1 million messages, based on which more than 1,000 suggestions were sorted out. Between July and September, General Secretary Xi Jinping chaired symposiums on the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta and with prominent non-CPC personages, entrepreneurs, economic and social experts, scientists, grassroots representatives, and experts of education, culture, public health, and sports, to listen to their views. In revising the draft Proposals, the drafting group has fully studied and taken in the views and suggestions from all sides. The drafting of the Proposals is a fine example of China's socialist democracy, and an important reflection of scientific and democratic decision-making process.

Third, the main considerations and basic framework of the Proposals. The Proposals have been drawn up in line with the strategic two-stage development plan made at the 19th CPC National Congress for realizing the second of China's two centennial goals. They are formulated in light of the international and the domestic environments and conditions regarding China's development in the coming period. They are based on the Party's original aspiration and founding mission to seek rejuvenation for the Chinese nation and well-being for the Chinese people. They are consistent with the philosophy of people-centered development. They carry systematic planning and strategic arrangements for China's economic and social development for the next five years. The Proposals serve as a guiding program as China sets out on a new journey toward building a modern socialist country and realizing its second centennial goal. They also serve as a guide of action for China's economic and social development in the next five years and beyond.

The drafting of the Proposals has followed five principles: first, balancing the relationship between coherence and innovation to dovetail the two centennial goals; second, balancing the relationship between the government and the market to better leverage China's institutional strength; third, balancing the relationship between opening up and independence to better coordinate domestic and international imperatives; fourth, balancing the relationship between development and security to avoid any systemic risks that will impede China's modernization drive; and fifth, balancing the relationship between strategy-making and operational tactics to ensure both oversight and results-oriented implementation.

The Proposals consist of three main sections with 15 parts: The General Introduction summarizes the achievements China has scored in completing the building of a society of moderate prosperity in all respects, the environment for development, the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035, and the guidelines, principles, and main targets for the 14th Five-Year Plan period. The Middle Section, structured in accordance with the various dimensions of the new development philosophy, spells out China's priority tasks for economic and social development during 2021-2025 in different fields and for reform and opening up. The Conclusion mainly elaborates on strengthening the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee and on improving relevant mechanisms to ensure sound implementation of the Five-Year Plan.

The logical framework for the Proposals is that after achieving a society of moderate prosperity in all respects, China will embark on a new journey toward building a modern socialist country. China will take hold the new stage of development, thoroughly implement the new development philosophy and accelerate a new development paradigm. China will take pursuing high-quality development as the main theme and deepening supply-side structural reforms as the main task, and strive to achieve steady and sustained economic progress and maintain social stability and harmony, so as to ensure a good start for building a modern socialist country in all respects. To put it simply, the Proposals highlight three new aspects: a new development stage, a new development philosophy, and a new development paradigm.

Thank you.

Xu Lin:

Thank you, Mr. Han. The floor is now open for questions. Please identify your news outlet before asking your question.

China Media Group:

Many in the general public are likely eager to know the new content of the CPC Central Committee's proposals for the 14th Five-Year Plan that concerns issues relating to their livelihoods. For example, general income has been growing but gaps in income between different industries and regions have been widening. Meanwhile, consumption has witnessed lower growth. What specific measures does the 14th Five-Year Plan contain to tackle these issues? Thank you.

Xu Lin:

Mr. Ning Jizhe will answer this question. 

Ning Jizhe:

Thank you, this question is very important as it concerns many people. The people aspire to live a better life and the proposals for the 14th Five-Year Plan answer the aspiration of millions of people, raising major requirements and measures for the improvement of people's well-being and their quality of life. In terms of employment, we will look to strengthen employment policies, create more jobs, improve support systems for securing employment for key groups, and realize more adequate, higher-quality employment. In terms of income, we will raise levels of income, increase the income of urban and rural residents via multiple channels, and make sure that income increases keep pace with economic growth. In terms of education, we will build a higher-quality education system, promote balanced development and urban-rural integration in compulsory education, and push a higher level of education throughout the nation. In terms of culture and sport, we will organize extensive cultural and fitness activities open to the general public. In terms of healthcare, we will comprehensively promote the building of the Healthy China initiative, speed up the expansion of quality healthcare resources while balancing the distribution of such resources between different regions, and generally improve the healthcare system. In terms of elderly care, we will implement the national strategy of proactively addressing the issue of an aging population, boost long-term and balanced development of the population, and improve basic elderly care service systems. In terms of social security, we will improve the multi-layered social security system and make sure that it covers the entire nation, maintains coordination between urban and rural areas, and is fair, uniform, and sustainable. 

Here I will introduce the situation regarding incomes and consumption during the 13th Five-Year Plan period. In the past few years, the income of China's residents has seen continued growth. From 2016 to 2019, disposable income per capita saw real annual growth of 6.5%. The gap between urban and rural areas has gradually narrowed. In 2019, the ratio of disposable income per capita of urban residents to that of rural residents was 2.64, 0.09 smaller than in 2015. The size of middle-income groups has also expanded from more than 100 million people in 2010 to more than 400 million people in 2019. Consumption has seen continued growth, with total retail sales of consumer goods reaching 41.2 trillion yuan in 2019, up 36.9% from 2015. The structure of consumption patterns has also been optimizing: the Engel's Coefficient (the share of residents' expenditure on food concerning overall expenditure) declined to 28.2% in 2019 from 30.6% in 2015, reflecting an upgrade in the structure of consumption patterns. New forms and models of consumption have also been thriving. Online retail sales reached 10.6 trillion yuan in 2019, 1.74 times higher than that of 2015. Online retail, riding the trend, continued to grow this year. 

Amid the impact of the pandemic in the past few months, we took measures to boost incomes and encourage consumption, and as a result, both have gradually recovered. In the first three quarters of the year, disposable income per capita has seen real growth of 0.6%, the first positive growth this year. In September, total retail sales of consumer goods grew 3.3% year on year, with the third quarter witnessing a positive growth. 

You mentioned earlier that there is an income gap between different industries and regions. In the 14th Five-Year Plan period, we will follow the requirements of the proposals to firmly promote common prosperity, insist on the system under which distribution according to that work is dominant and a variety of modes of distribution coexist, increase the share of work remuneration in primary distribution, improve mechanisms for reasonable wage increases, make efforts to raise incomes among lower-income groups, and expand the size of middle-income groups. We will also improve the system of distribution according to factors of contribution and production and increase middle-to-low-income groups' income payments. We will perfect the redistribution mechanism and improve the intensity and accuracy of measures for adjustment such as taxation, social security, and transfer of payments. We will let the tertiary distribution mechanism play its role and promote charity work. We will encourage consumption with comprehensive measures; ride the trend of consumption upgrades; promote green, healthy, and safe consumption; develop service consumption, and encourage the development of new models and forms of consumption. We will push for the management of consumer goods, including cars, to shift from purchase management to usage management systems, and we will push for the healthy development of housing consumption. We will promote contact-free services, boost the integrated development of online and offline consumption, and tap urban and rural consumer markets. We will implement an on-pay leave system and increase consumption during holidays. We will improve the environment for consumption and offer stronger protections for consumer rights to let consumption better play its fundamental role in driving economic development, which is also a way to improve and secure people's livelihoods. Thank you.

Bloomberg:

The Fifth Plenary Session identifies self-reliance and self-strengthening in science and technology as being the strategic support to China's national development, and stresses that China will uphold the central role of innovation in its modernization drive. What specific measures will be adopted to achieve this self-reliance and self-strengthening in science and technology and promote innovation?

Xu Lin:

Mr. Wang Zhigang will answer the question.

Wang Zhigang:

I thank the reporter from Bloomberg for this question. The Fifth Plenary Session stresses that China will uphold the central role of innovation in its modernization drive and identifies self-reliance and self-strengthening in science and technology as being the strategic support to China's national development. We know that scientific and technological innovation has always played an important role in national development and human progress, and its role is becoming increasingly prominent and important. As China enters a new stage of development, the country needs new development, and needs to foster a new development paradigm. Therefore, the Fifth Plenary Session put forward the aforementioned Proposals, placing self-reliance and self-strengthening in science and technology at the top of the all planned tasks, and making special arrangements. It is the first time that the CPC has done so in the history of formulating a five-year plan. It is also a strategic arrangement made by the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core in keeping abreast of the trend of world development, keeping in mind the current situation and adopting a long-term perspective.

Looking back, the CPC Central Committee came up with the innovation-driven development strategy at the 18th CPC National Congress, and put forward taking innovation as the primary driving force for development at the 19th CPC National Congress. It has been continuously carrying forward and evolving its strategies, guidelines, plans and arrangements for scientific and technological innovation. The important positioning and arrangements regarding scientific and technological innovation put forward at the Fifth Plenary Session are based on the constant pursuit of seeking truth from facts and the long-term theoretical innovation and practices of the CPC. The various moves have fully grasped the trend of global scientific and technological development, and adhered to the path of independent innovation with Chinese characteristics. They also fit the characteristics and tasks of scientific and technological innovation in the country in the new era. In fundamental respects, we need to make full use of scientific and technological innovation, and ensure it plays its key role in the great changes unseen in a century and use it to support and guide the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Faced with these changes in China and worldwide, we need to apply a new development philosophy, promote high-quality development and foster a new development paradigm. More than ever, we need solutions in our approach to scientific and technological innovation, and depending on innovation as the primary driving force. Only by relying on scientific and technological innovation, can we develop opportunities amid crises, open up new areas amid change, constantly expand new space for development, and seek to shape new advantages for growth. That is why scientific and technological innovation is such an important feature of the new development paradigm.

China's scientific and technological strength is now moving from seeking accumulation in quantitative terms to taking great leaps forward in quality, from individual breakthroughs to achieving systematic progress, laying a solid foundation for economic growth, and improvement of livelihood and national security. Looking ahead, we should have more confidence in innovation, and seize opportunities in the new technological and industrial revolution. Following the principle that the scientific and technological development must target the frontiers of global science, serve the economic battlefield, strive to fulfill the significant needs of our country and benefit people's lives and health, we should adhere to both scientific and technological innovation and institutional innovation, cultivate scientific and technological strength, and improve our systematic capacity in scientific and technological research and emergency research. We need to make overall arrangements for achieving significant breakthroughs in basic research and key and core technologies, and constructing a systematic, sound and efficient national scientific and technological innovation system. We also need to motivate scientific and technological personnel and innovators. In this way, we seek to move faster on the new path of innovative development featuring excellent talents, cutting-edge technologies, outstanding industries and a strong economy and nation, and move faster to become one of the leading innovation-oriented countries and a scientific and technological power in the world.

You mentioned self-reliance and self-strengthening in science and technology. It can be traced to the same originating source as self-reliance and independent innovation we have been emphasizing. Self-reliance and self-strengthening do not contradict with openness and cooperation; instead, they form a dialectical unity. Openness and cooperation are integral to the path of independent innovation with Chinese characteristics. Self-reliance and self-strengthening are the prerequisite and foundation for opening up and cooperation on the basis of equal treatment and mutual respect. At the same time, China's scientific and technological innovation has never been, and will never be, conducted behind closed doors. Over the past 40 plus years of reform and opening up, openness, cooperation, exchanges and mutual learning have played an important role in promoting China's scientific and technological innovation. We have always emphasized pursuit of scientific and technological innovation with a global vision, and actively integrated ourselves into the global innovation network. Now, China's scientific and technological development and innovation is becoming increasingly inseparable from the rest of the world, and the world is also becoming increasingly in need of China in achieving scientific and technological progress. On the one hand, we need to improve our ability of independent innovation and run our own affairs well, because key and core technologies cannot be acquired or purchased. On the other hand, we hope to learn more of the advanced experience from the rest of the world, and share more of China's scientific and technological achievements and contribute more Chinese wisdom to tackle global challenges.

Looking forward, China will make greater strides in opening up and cooperation in science and technology. We are ready to carry out dialogue and exchanges with other countries in regard to science and technology policies, development plans, research ethics, and fields of common concern in science and technology as well as innovation. In regard to opening up and cooperation, we will seek common ground while reserving differences, and strive to form an increased consensus on international science and technology governance. At the same time, we will focus on global issues such as climate change, energy and resources, and public health, set up a scientific research fund to support joint research with countries across the world. We will further improve the legal and policy environment for scientific and technological innovation in China, strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights, and provide equal opportunities and convenient conditions for overseas talents to work and start businesses in China, striving to make China a favored destination for global innovators and entrepreneurs. Thank you.

Lianhe Zaobao:

Is China's new development paradigm of "dual circulation" a response to international pressure? During the 14th Five-Year Plan period and in the years leading up to 2035, will China shift its focus to development of its "domestic circulation," thereby diminishing efforts to open-up to the outside world? Thanks.

Xu Lin:

Mr. Han Wenxiu will answer your questions.

Han Wenxiu:

Fostering a new development paradigm is a strategic decision taken by General Secretary Xi Jinping and the CPC Central Committee in order to actively tackle the changing international and domestic situations, upgrade China's economic development in a timely manner, and foster new advantages in international economic cooperation and competition. It has played a key role in the creation of the proposals.

As we have seen, economic globalization is currently encountering headwinds, unilateralism and protectionism are rising, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about extensive and profound impacts, and traditional international economic circulation has been substantially weakened, or even hampered. Against this backdrop, strengthening domestic circulation allows us to enhance the resilience of our economic development, and at the same time increase international circulation, thus allowing the two circulations to boost one another. One commonality between major economies is that domestic circulation can suffice. Like other major economies, China, as the world's second largest economy, has made domestic supply and demand the mainstay of its economic circulation. Since the 2008 international financial crisis, China has achieved remarkable progress in rebalancing its economy. For instance, China's current account surplus plunged from around 10% of GDP in 2007 to approximately 1% in 2019. China's degree of foreign trade dependence — the ratio of foreign trade volume to the country's GDP — has dropped from over 60% to just over 30%. Therefore, China's economic growth is increasingly dependent on domestic consumption and investment.

You may have noticed that China has been highlighting the basic role of consumption and the key role of investment since the 18th CPC National Congress held in 2012. In recent years, the contribution of domestic demand to economic growth has basically remained over 90%, with the ratio exceeding 100% in some years. Therefore, the driving force of the domestic circulation has been remarkably strengthened. Therefore, the adoption of the new development paradigm — whereby domestic and foreign markets can boost each other, with the domestic market as the mainstay — signifies that the Party has precisely grasped and put into practice the laws governing economic development. This is a proactive rather than a reactive move; it is a long-term strategy, not a stopgap measure.

It is necessary to point out that the new paradigm stresses dual circulation rather than domestic circulation on its own. By saying domestic circulation, we mean "wide circulation" based on a unified domestic market, rather than self-centered "small circulations" based on local markets. It does not mean we will foster separate circulations in each and every province, city or county.

To foster a new development paradigm, we should first adhere to expanding domestic demand as the strategic foundation, facilitate national economic circulation, and remove various barriers to production, distribution, logistics and consumption. To remove these barriers, we should deepen supply-side structural reform and achieve major breakthroughs in key areas and linkages. We should increase research into core technologies and ensure the safety and stability of industrial and supply chains. We should optimize the structure of income distribution to expand the size of the middle-income group. We should develop a modern logistics system, improve the consumption environment to promote consumption upgrading, and take full advantage of the country's huge market. In this way, not only can we boost the domestic economy, we can also create more market opportunities for the rest of the world.

We should ensure deeper involvement in the international circulation, which is an integral part of China's efforts to establish a new development paradigm. We should promote higher levels of opening-up and expand market entry for foreign-invested enterprises to better use resources from both domestic and international markets. Markets are a scarce global resource. We should build a market-oriented and international business environment based on the rule of law. Relying on the strong domestic market, we should turn the country into a magnet for high-quality global resources, and make China a fertile land for foreign investment and enterprises, thus allowing domestic and international markets to boost each other and promoting mutual benefits and common prosperity with other countries. Therefore, fostering a new development paradigm by no means signifies the weakening of the country's efforts to open up. On the contrary, China will see a steady rise in its foreign trade volume, the utilization of foreign capital, as well as its outbound investment, and China's international standing will also continue to rise, which is an important hallmark of major economies. Thank you.

Asahi Shimbun: 

According to the Communique of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, the session raised a set of long-range objectives for China to basically achieve socialist modernization by 2035. By then, China's economic and technological strength and composite national strength will have increased significantly. However, tensions between China and the United States grow, economic decoupling between the two countries seems likely. In such circumstances, how will China achieve the long-range objectives set for 2035? Thank you. 

Xu Lin:

Mr. Han Wenxiu will answer this question.

Han Wenxiu:

It will take China 15 years, or three Five-Year Plan periods, to basically achieve socialist modernization by 2035. The 14th Five-Year Plan covers the first five years, during which the country will embark on a new journey to fully build a modern socialist China. The Proposals put concentration on China's development in the 14th Five-Year Plan period as well as outline the long-range objectives through the year 2035. By doing so, the Proposals chart the course for continued progress; achieve popular consensus; outline how to link, coordinate, and integrate short, medium, and long-term development objectives; and help strengthen strategic consistency. In 1995, the CPC Central Committee drafted proposals for the 9th Five-Year Plan, which also included the long-range objectives through to the year 2010.

To achieve the long-range objectives set for 2035, we do need an appropriate external environment. Currently, as the international environment becomes increasingly complex and uncertainty and instability notably increase, a more severe and challenging situation arises. However, we believe that peace and development remain the theme of our times and the will of the people. Despite strong headwinds, the world will continue to move toward greater economic globalization amid twists and turns. Nowadays, the world we live in is becoming a global village, and the economic ties between China and the U.S., the world's two largest economies, are determined by the complementarity of the two sides' economic structures as well as the openness of the global economy. Under these circumstances, complete "decoupling" between China and the U.S. is utterly unrealistic, will do neither side any good, and in turn will also harm the world. In fact, few people want the two sides to decouple, while far more opt to pursue sincere cooperation. In the third quarter of this year, despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, China-U.S. bilateral trade volume increased by 16% year on year. So we should not be afraid of the dark clouds blocking our view; instead, we should continue to adhere to the principles of peace, development, and win-win cooperation as well as safeguard multilateralism, stay on the right path of history, and actively create an enabling environment globally.

To achieve the long-range objectives set for 2035, the key is to improve capacity-building. We should keep in mind the fact that China remains in the primary stage of socialism and strive to run our affairs well. Of course, many complicated tasks await, among which the three most important are reform, opening-up, and innovation.

Reform is a strong power driving development. Through efforts to deepen reform across the board, we will build a high-level socialist market economy that will fully unleash the vitality of the 1.4 billion Chinese people, enabling them to create more social wealth, pursue better lives, and ultimately achieve common prosperity for everyone. Such a powerful force that promotes China's modernization cannot be stopped. 

Opening-up is the right choice to promote development. General Secretary Xi Jinping has stressed on various occasions that openness brings progress while seclusion leads to backwardness. This is also an important lesson drawn from modern Chinese history. So whatever changes in the international landscape, China will unswervingly adhere to its fundamental state policy of opening-up. Through high-level opening-up, China will provide a larger market with more opportunities to the world, which will not only improve the development of China but also create a fairer and more equitable global economic governance system to push forward the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Innovation is the primary driving force for development. We will undertake self-reliance in scientific and technological development to strategically support the country's overall development, step up efforts to build a strong country in science and technology, and create new strengths for China's development in all respects to provide strong support mechanisms for the high-quality development of the economy and people's living standards.

The Proposals have been comprehensively deployed in all of these aspects. We believe that as long as we deliver a good performance in key areas such as reform, opening-up, and innovation, we will achieve the long-range objectives set for 2035. Thank you.

Xinhua News Agency:

The 13th Five-Year Plan period has seen major achievements in cultural development, which featured prominently in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. What is the position and role of cultural development in our new journey toward fully building a modern socialist country? What plans did the fifth plenary session put forward for cultural development? Thank you.

Xu Lin:

Mr. Wang Xiaohui will answer this question.

Wang Xiaohui:

Thank you for your question. In recent years, China has made rapid and remarkable progress in many cultural undertakings. Many of our cultural undertakings and industries are numbered among the world's best. For example, the scale of press and publication, as well as film and television industries, tops the world, and the quality of cultural products and their influence have also increased. 

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee has attached more importance to cultural development and has lifted it to a higher position than ever before. In particular, confidence in culture has been put forward as one of the "four confidences" of socialism with Chinese characteristics alongside confidence in China's path, theory and system. Entering the new stage of development, we have set higher standards for cultural development, and the role of culture will be further highlighted.

China's socialist modernization is a great cause of all-round development and progress. An important feature is balanced development of material and cultural advancement. Regarding the position and role of culture in fully building a modern socialist country, General Secretary Xi Jinping made an incisive summary at a recent symposium attended by experts or representatives from China's education, culture, health and sports sectors. He expanded it into "four important" aspects: to ensure coordinated implementation of the five-sphere integrated plan and the four-pronged comprehensive strategy, culture is important content; to promote high-quality development, culture is an important fulcrum; to meet the people's increasing needs for a better life, culture is an important factor; to overcome all kinds of risks and challenges in the way forward, culture is an important source of strength. So, we could say that without the prosperity and development of socialist culture, there would be no socialist modernization.

The fifth plenary session attached great importance to cultural development and formulated plans for it from a strategic, overarching level. The most important one is that we clearly propose to develop a strong socialist culture in China by 2035. The objective of developing a strong socialist culture was put forward at the sixth plenary session of the 17th CPC Central Committee; however, this is the first time the Central Committee has established a specific timetable. The Proposals dedicated one part to making plans for cultural development, laying down the basic principles for the next five years. Three priorities were outlined: enhancing the social etiquette and civility; advancing the quality of public cultural services; and improving the modern cultural industry system. We believe that as China's modernization process continues to advance, we will develop a strong socialist culture through more solid steps and further strengthen China's soft power and cultural influence.

Reuters: 

Chinese leaders have pledged to pursue higher-quality growth and deepen reforms, and we know that global uncertainties are rising. Against this backdrop, how are you going to set the key targets for China's economic and social development under the 14th Five-Year Plan? What are the key risks and challenges facing the economy of the next five years? What growth rate is needed to bypass the middle-income trap? Thank you.

Xu Lin:

Mr. Ning Jizhe will answer the questions.

Ning Jizhe:

Thank you for your questions. The issue concerning targets is very important. The Proposals have brought forward the major targets for China's economic and social development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, which can be summarized as the targets of "making new progress in six aspects." First, we will make new progress in economic development. Sustained and healthy economic development shall be realized on the basis of higher quality development with greater efficiency. Major progress shall be achieved in building a modernized economic system. Second, we shall take new steps toward reform and opening up. The socialist market economy will be further improved and a new institution for a more advanced open economy will take shape. Third, new measures for the improvement in social civility shall be taken. Public cultural service systems and cultural industries will be further developed so that people can enjoy a richer cultural life. Fourth, new progress will be made in achieving ecological civilization. The efficient utilization of energy and resources will be increased remarkably and the ecological environment will continue to improve. Fifth, people's living standards will reach a new level and growth in personal income shall become in step with economic growth. Significant progress will be made in providing equitable access to basic public services. Sixth, there will be new improvements in the efficiency of national governance. Socialist democracy and rule of law will be further enhanced and social governance, especially regarding communities, will witness major improvements. 

All the aforementioned have represented China's high-quality development and reform and opening up. These "six new major goals" have fully reflected the guiding principles of upholding and improving the institutions and mechanisms for the Party to lead economic and social development, advancing coordinated progress in the five-sphere integrated plan, and pursuing balanced progress in the four-pronged comprehensive strategy. They have exemplified a people-centered approach and efforts to satisfy the people's aspirations for a better life. These goals have also fully reflected the efforts to implement the new development philosophy to pursue high-quality development, as well as a firm commitment to deepening reform and opening up to increase the dynamism of development. Moreover, they testify to a systemic approach under which developments in terms of quality, structure, scale, speed, efficiency, and security will achieve synergy.

These major goals have been set in the context of overall development trends at home and abroad, as well as in light of China's current stage of development. Focusing on the 2035 long-range objectives, specific development targets in the coming five years have also been made. While setting these objectives, both developmental objectives and the issues we are facing have been taken into account to better achieve socialist modernization and give greater priority to the quality of development. These major goals also reflect the principle of trying to make breakthroughs while sticking to good practice. We will move on to the second "centenary goals" and make the 14th Five-Year Plan a new starting point in fully building a modern socialist country.

Regarding the risks and challenges that you mentioned, I would say that we are facing both international and domestic risks and challenges. Internationally, unilateralism, protectionism, and a backlash against globalization are on the rise, and uncertainties and destabilizing factors are also increasing, which have made the external environment for China's development more complex. Domestically, we are still facing the prominent problem of unbalanced and inadequate development as well as problems regarding the coexisting of structural, institutional, and cyclical issues. Additionally, there are a lot of weak links in terms of people's well-being and social development. Given the risks and challenges of the next five years, the Proposals put forward that we must consider the domestic and international situation in a coordinated way and put a focus on both development and security so as to prevent and defuse various risks and challenges. 

Regarding economic growth, I would say that development serves as the foundation and key to resolving all of these issues. This is the Party's top priority in governing and rejuvenating the country. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, we will practice the new development philosophy so as to unleash the full potential of growth. Next, under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and in accordance with the spirit of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) will step up efforts to engage in work regarding the formulation of the 14th Five-Year Plan. In keeping with the direction and strategies made by the Proposals, and on the basis of meticulous calculation, the NDRC will propose well-calibrated objectives for both qualitative and quantitative growth to ensure reasonable and stable economic growth, providing a strong start in the building of a modern socialist country. The Plan will be submitted to the Fourth Session of the 13th National People's Congress next year for deliberation and approval.

Thank you. 

ITAR-TASS:

How has China's economy developed within the context of COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control? What problems have been encountered? How have issues regarding employment and inflation been dealt with? Thank you.

Xu Lin:

Mr. Ning, please continue to take the questions.

Ning Jizhe:

A very practical question. The COVID-19 epidemic has taken a heavy toll on the world, including China. We all see that under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, we have put people's lives first. The CPC Central Committee has overseen the general situation throughout and provided centralized and unified leadership. The Central Committee made arrangements and set tasks to fight the epidemic, promote development, and ensure stability on the six fronts (employment, finance, foreign trade, foreign investment, domestic investment, and market expectations), and security in the six areas (employment, people's livelihood, operations of market entities, food and energy, stable industrial and supply chains, and the normal functioning of primary-level governments), leading the entire Party and the whole nation to achieve major strategic results in coordinating the epidemic prevention and control alongside economic and social development. We have not only taken the lead in bringing the epidemic under control but were also the first to restore positive economic growth. China's economic development amid epidemic prevention and control has six major characteristics:

First, timely control of COVID-19 has created a normal environment for development. Epidemic control strategies and measures were implemented and improved dynamically, and in approximately three months, decisive achievements were made in the battle to defend Wuhan city and Hubei province. Later, successive battles were won against several clusters of infections in some local areas. Vigorous measures have been taken to prevent inbound cases and domestic resurgences, and normal economic and social order has been restored throughout the country, making development possible.

Second, rapid organization of reopening has promoted steady industrial recovery. In a short period, more than 90 policy measures in eight categories for reopening have been introduced, removing choking points, difficulties, and bottlenecks and maintaining the stable operation of the production and supply chains.

Third, policies of a sizable scale decisively introduced have energized market entities. We have further cut taxes and fees, issued government bonds for COVID-19 control, raised the fiscal deficit ratio, increased special local government bonds, and slashed outlays on non-urgent and non-obligatory items. We have adopted measures for required reserve ratio reductions and interest rate cuts, re-lending, delayed payment, inclusive financing, bank interest concessions, and applied transfer mechanisms to ensure funds go straight to primary levels. Our policies regarding the macroeconomy and helping enterprises overcome difficulties are strong and effective, promoting the survival and growth of nearly one hundred million market entities.

Fourth, overall economic and social development has been stabilized thanks to the prioritization of steady employment and ensuring living standards. We have put steady employment and ensuring living standards first when formulating policies, actively responded to the impact of the epidemic and floods on people's livelihoods, redoubled efforts to strengthen agricultural production, vigorously promoted poverty alleviation, and continued to improve public services. By doing so, we have ensured the basic life of 1.4 billion people, and stabilized the fundamentals of the economy and the overall social development.

Fifth, the constant development of new growth drivers has promoted a trend-bucking surge of new business forms and models. In dealing with the epidemic, entrepreneurship and innovation have continued to provide results, and new forms of business, notably the internet economy, have played an important role in growth. Both the supply and demand of online shopping, express delivery, remote working, online education, and telemedicine have flourished, and new infrastructure and consumption in new areas have progressed rapidly.

Sixth, the resolute deepening of reform and opening-up has mobilized production factors both at home and abroad. We have constantly accelerated reforms to streamline administration and delegate power, improve regulation, and upgrade services, improved the business environment, widened market access, and advanced opening-up, ensuring stability in expectations, domestic investment, foreign trade, and foreign investment. In the first three quarters of this year, China's fixed-asset investment grew by 0.8% year on year, total imports and exports were up by 0.7% on a year-on-year basis, and utilized foreign investment registered a year-on-year increase of 5.2%, all achieving positive growth. Foreign capital entering the Chinese market has continued to increase.

Faced with the impact of the epidemic, we of course encountered problems  regarding the employment of migrant workers and rising food prices. By adopting measures to fight against the epidemic, promote development, and advance reform and opening-up, these problems have been effectively alleviated. In the first three quarters of this year, the annual goal of creating new urban jobs has been basically accomplished, with the surveyed urban unemployment rate dropping from 6.2% at the beginning of this year to 5.4% in September. Meanwhile, the consumer price index (CPI) registered an average increase of 3.3%, down to 1.7% in September. The work to ensure the stability of supplies and prices of pork and other foodstuffs has also yielded fruit.

Next, we will not let up on any front regarding our long-term fight against COVID-19 and will pay increased attention to stabilizing policies and expectations as well as ensuring unimpeded flows in the economy. We will also improve cross-cycle design and adjustments to macro regulation; grasp the direction, focus, intensity, and pace of regulation, and combine reasonable growth with job creation and stable prices to promote high-quality economic growth. Thank you.

People's Daily:

Why was the overall leadership of the Party and the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee emphasized so much at the fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee? Thank you.

Xu Lin:

Mr. Jiang Jinquan will answer this question.

Jiang Jinquan:

Thank you for the question. The fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee has emphasized upholding the overall leadership of the Party and strengthening the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and placed it as the primary principle that must be followed in promoting national economic and social development in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) period, because the principle provides the most important guarantee for achieving the goals of economic and social development set during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. As you all know, the CPC leadership is the key to China's success in running its affairs and it is the choice of history and the people for the Communist Party of China to lead the national rejuvenation. This is well-grounded in history, theory, and reality.

Since its founding 100 years ago, the Party has upheld its founding mission to pursue happiness for the Chinese people, sought national rejuvenation, led all ethnic groups to continue their struggle, and achieved great victories in revolution, construction, and reform. The Chinese nation ushered in a historic leap starting from standing up and getting rich to becoming strong. The CPC won the heartfelt support of all people throughout the country. A recent poll conducted by an authoritative international organization shows that the support rate of the Party and the Chinese government stands as high as 95%, ranking top in the world. This year, China took the lead both in curbing the COVID-19 epidemic and in reversing the economic downturn into positive growth, highlighting once again the strong leadership of the Party and the remarkable advantages of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The Party's leadership is the most essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the greatest strength of the system, and the fundamental national condition in boosting China's economic and social development. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period and beyond, China's economic and social development will be confronted with an extremely complex international situation. We will have to solve many difficult problems and face a series of risks and challenges. The more problems we face, the more we will be inseparable from the Party who serves as the compass for guiding our direction, the backbone for gathering strength, and the bedrock for keeping social stability. Therefore, we must uphold and strengthen the overall leadership of the Party. That's why the principle of upholding the overall leadership of the Party has been given top priority and must be followed in terms of economic and social development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period.

The highest principle for upholding the overall leadership of the Party is to strengthen the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee. As we all know, a good choir needs a strong conductor. Only by strengthening the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee can the Party provide overall leadership and coordinate the efforts of all involved to create strong synergy and promote economic and social development. Only with the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee and with General Secretary Xi Jinping at the helm, the ship of socialism with Chinese characteristics can ride the wind and waves and go steadily forward. This requires the entire Party to strengthen our consciousness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership. We must also stay confident in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics and uphold General Secretary Xi Jinping's core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party as a whole as well as uphold the Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership. By aligning ourselves with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and using it to guide practice and advance work we can closely follow the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core in terms of thinking, political stand, and action as well as continue to improve organizational systems that effectively coordinate between upper and lower levels and provide steadfast enforcement, give play to the Party's strong political, ideological, and organizational advantages as well as the political and organizational functions of primary party organizations to effectively implement the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee.

General Secretary Xi Jinping often says that "it takes a good blacksmith to make good steel." To uphold the CPC's leadership, we must strengthen Party building. We must implement the general guidance for Party development in the new era, and follow the Party's organizational lines, take enhancing the Party's political foundation building as the overarching principle, and make comprehensive efforts to ensure that the Party's political work is stressed, ideology is strengthened, organizations are consolidated, conduct is improved, discipline is maintained, institutional development is always emphasized, and the fight against corruption continues. We must also ensure the effective fulfillment of responsibilities of the main actor and supervisor for strict Party self-governance. We will stay true to the Party's founding mission to inspire the inexhaustible impetus of concerted efforts in the whole Party. We will encourage officials at all levels to do their job and the public to work with the right atmosphere for the selection and appointment of Party cadres. We will pool the strength of the broadest masses of the people by applying a realistic and pragmatic approach, striving to do solid work and maintain integrity. 

Party building is in turn a means to develop the leadership for the sake of the Party and the country. The fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee stresses that the 14th Five-Year Plan period must focus on promoting high-quality development. Only high-quality Party building can lead to and promote high-quality development.

Thank you.

Sing Tao Daily:

China is facing complex and volatile situations both at home and abroad. The plenary session demonstrates that China is still in an important period of strategic opportunity for development. What is the basis of this critical judgment? How is it different from "the important period of strategic opportunity" often referred to since the 16th CPC National Congress (in 2002)? What does the 14th Five-Year Plan mean to Hong Kong? What opportunities will it give to Hong Kong's development? Thank you.

Xu Lin: 

Mr. Han Wenxiu will answer the questions.

Han Wenxiu:

When making decisions and formulating plans, the CPC has always placed emphasis on assessing the environment for development, especially the opportunities and challenges. In 2002, the 16th CPC National Congress pointed out that the first 20 years of the 21st century is an important period of strategic opportunity that we must seize and in which much can be achieved. In the past two decades, we have achieved remarkable historic progress in advancing reform, opening-up, and development. Twenty years on, the proposals for formulating the 14th Five-Year Plan make a new important judgment: at present and for the foreseeable future, China is still in an important period of strategic opportunity for development, but there are new developments and changes in both opportunities and challenges.

This period has two distinct features:

First, both the opportunities and challenges are unprecedented. Internationally, the world is undergoing substantial changes unseen in a century; the factors related to instability and uncertainty are noticeably rising in the external environment; the unexpected COVID-19 has made a wide and far-reaching impact; economic globalization is facing undertows and headwinds, and the world is entering a period of turbulence and change. Domestically, the principal contradiction facing Chinese society has evolved and is now battling challenges regarding inadequate and unbalanced development and people's ever-growing needs for a better life. With China's per capita GDP exceeding $10,000, the country is at a critical moment, moving from a middle-income country into a high-income country. We are about to finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. We will also build on this achievement to embark on a new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country. The tasks that lie ahead are arduous. There are many new opportunities and challenges as well as big opportunities and challenges.

Second, there are opportunities in crises, and crises can be turned into opportunities. This important period of strategic opportunity has taken on a new dimension, so we need to look at opportunities and challenges in a dialectic way and have a keen sense of both the opportunities and the risks. We must be able to set sail and navigate through the headwinds, turning crises into real opportunities. COVID-19 had a huge impact on China's economic and social development. Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its  core, we have taken strong, orderly, effective measures to coordinate epidemic control alongside economic and social development. China was among the first to bring COVID-19 under control, reopen, and register positive economic growth. This has put us in a better position for development. From this, it is abundantly clear that out of crises can emerge opportunities. Once we overcome crises, we will come out of the other end with bright prospects.

Looking toward the 14th Five-Year Plan period, we have confidence and determination. The system of socialism with Chinese characteristics gives us notable strengths, including a solid material and technological foundation built through more than 40 years of reform and opening-up, rich human resources, a broad market, as well as full-fledged industrial system and supporting capabilities. In particular, we have the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. With all of this, we can seize new opportunities, tackle emerging challenges, implement the new development philosophy, continue to follow the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, manage our own affairs well, find opportunities amid crises, and open up new prospects amid changes, to write a new chapter of the "two miracles" of rapid economic development and long-term social stability.

Hong Kong ranks as the world's freest economy. Its economy enjoys a sound foundation and unique strengths such as a large pool of high-caliber talents and extensive links with the global economy. In the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the central government  will continue to support Hong Kong in solidifying and strengthening its competitive edge, building an international technological innovation center, and establishing a functional platform for the Belt and Road Initiative. We will promote the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and improve policy measures to make it more convenient for people of Hong Kong and Macao study, work, and live on the mainland. We will support Hong Kong and Macao in conducting exchange and cooperation with other countries and regions. We are confident that with the full and faithful implementation of the principle of the "one country, two systems" and with closer ties between Hong Kong and Macao and the mainland and by helping the two regions better integrate into the country's overall development, Hong Kong and Macao will certainly enjoy long-term prosperity and stability. Thank you.

Xu Lin:

Thank you to all five speakers and friends from the media. That concludes this press conference. Thank you.

Translated and edited by Zhu Bochen, Li Huiru, Guo Yiming, Wang Wei, Liu Sitong, Fan Junmei, Zhang Jiaqi, Huang Shan, Liu Qiang, Wang Yanfang, Wang Yiming, Zhang Junmian, Gong Yingchun, Zhou Jing, Xu Xiaoxuan, Yuan Fang, Duan Yaying, Li Xiao, Wang Qian, Zhang Liying, Yang Xi, David Ball, Geoffrey Murry, and Tom Arnstein. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.