Xu Lin:

Thank you, Mr. Shu Qiming. Now, the floor is open for questions. Please identify the news outlet you represent before asking your questions.

CCTV:

I have two questions. First, one of the important topics of the fourth plenary session was upholding and improving socialism with Chinese characteristics and modernizing the national governance system and capacity, which was first proposed as an overall objective at the third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee in 2013. What different requirements were made at the fourth plenary session? Second, what does the CPC Central Committee think about the implementation of the resolutions of the third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee?

Xu Lin:

I'd like to invite Mr. Wang Xiaohui to answer this question.

Wang Xiaohui:

Just as the reporter from CCTV has said, upholding and improving socialism with Chinese characteristics and modernizing China's system and capacity for governance is the overall objective of furthering reform in all aspects. It was proposed at the third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee. Concerning this objective, 336 major reform tasks were identified. Five years on from that meeting, remarkable achievements have been made in major areas and key links. These 336 tasks have either been completed or are in the process of being implemented. The basic systems in major areas have been established. We believe that these achievements have laid a solid foundation for advancing the modernization of national governance system and capacity.

Regarding the difference between this session's decision and the previous one, the one passed at this plenary session has deepened and expanded the scope of the overall objective, and developed many new plans and arrangements; yet, the general principle remains unchanged. The new plans and arrangements show some remarkable characteristics, which I will now describe.

First, they stress upholding and improving the Party's leadership. The Decision gives top priority to upholding and improving the Party's leadership, as well as strengthening its capacity to govern in a scientific and democratic way and in accordance with the law. It emphasizes the guiding role of the Party's leadership in the national governance system. From the guiding principles to the major concepts and on to specific measures, upholding and improving the Party's leadership is stressed in every field and at every stage. This is a major characteristic.

Second, the new plans and arrangements fully demonstrate our confidence in socialism with Chinese characteristics. The Decision makes a systematic conclusion of the major achievements in theories, practices and institutions involved in upholding and improving socialism with Chinese characteristics and modernizing the national governance system and capacity, which have been established ever since the founding of the People's Republic of China, and particularly after the 18th National Congress of CPC. The Decision also summarizes our distinct advantages in 13 areas regarding the country's various institutions and governance system. They have provided a fundamental guarantee for the Chinese people under the Party's leadership to achieve miracles in promoting rapid economic development and maintaining long-term social stability. They are the secret to success in the institutional field in ensuring good governance. They are the basic reason that we are confident in the path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics. This is another major characteristic.

Third, the new plans and arrangements are problem-oriented and easy to implement. The decision of continuing to integrate the country's fundamental, basic and important systems, and to ensure integrated plans for their reform and operation, identifies the important systems and principles that we must uphold, and provides key guidance for the major tasks and moves to advance institutional construction. We believe that when the Decision is implemented, it will exert a profound and far-reaching influence on developing institutions that are well conceived, fully developed, procedure-based, and efficient, thus advancing the modernization of China's system and capacity for governance. Thank you.