Constitution amended to stress central task of advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts
Xi Jinping presides over the closing session of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China on Oct 22 in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (JU PENG / XINHUA)
Anew central leadership of the Communist Party of China was elected on Oct 22 at a key Party Congress that adopted a blueprint for the nation’s development for the coming five years and beyond, as well as an amendment to the Party’s Constitution.
The new CPC Central Committee was elected by delegates and specially invited delegates at the closing session of the weeklong 20th CPC National Congress, presided over by Xi Jinping. The new central leadership is comprised of 205 members and 171 alternate members.
“Thanks to the concerted efforts of all delegates, the Congress has been a complete success, and we have realized our goals of unifying thinking, fortifying confidence, charting our course, and boosting morale,” Xi said while addressing the closing session.
“This has been a Congress of holding our banner high, pooling our strength, and promoting solidarity and dedication.”
The Congress approved a resolution on the report of the 19th CPC Central Committee, delivered by Xi at the opening session, and a resolution on the work report of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.
A new CCDI, with 133 members, was also elected at the Congress.
The Congress endorsed the strategic plans set out in the report of the 19th CPC Central Committee for advancing the cause of the Party and the country in the period to come.
Xi (front, center) stands along with other senior leaders and delegates at the closing session of the 20th CPC National Congress. (JU PENG / XINHUA)
Xi said the report of the 19th CPC Central Committee is a political declaration and a program of action for the Party to rally and lead the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in securing new victories for socialism with Chinese characteristics.
He said the new Central Committee has brought together leading members and outstanding representatives of the Party from various regions, departments, spheres and sectors.
It is a broadly representative and well-structured body with highly qualified members who meet the standards for Central Committee membership, match the expectations of ordinary officials and the general public, and reflect the realities of the Party’s leadership teams and officials, he said.
“They will definitely be capable of shouldering the historic mission of rallying and leading the whole Party, the entire military, and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in building a modern socialist country in all respects and advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts,” he said.
Xi called on the delegates to the Congress to firmly keep in mind the Party’s original aspiration and founding mission, saying that they should study, observe, implement and uphold the Party Constitution with a stronger sense of purpose, and closely follow the Central Committee in thinking, political stance and action.
“We must firmly keep in mind that this country is its people, the people are the country. We must fulfill our fundamental purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly, maintain a close bond with the people, and always stand on their side, empathize with them, and work alongside them,” he said.
He continued: “We must contribute all of our wisdom and energy to the cause of the Party and the country, set a good example for other Party members, and prove ourselves fully worthy of the trust they have placed in us.”
Xi said the CPC is still in its prime more than 100 years on from its founding, adding that “we are fully confident and capable of creating new and even greater miracles on the new journey of the new era, miracles that will amaze the world”.
Delegates applaud at the closing session of the 20th CPC National Congress in the Great Hall of the People on Oct 22 in Beijing. (LIU WEIBING / XINHUA)
He also expressed appreciation, on behalf of the presidium of the Congress, to the central committees of non-CPC political parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and public figures from all ethnic groups and all sectors in China, as well as political parties and organizations from many countries.
The Congress, meanwhile, adopted a resolution on an amendment to the CPC Constitution, proposed by the 19th CPC Central Committee, which comes into effect as of the date of its adoption.
The Congress unanimously agreed that the new developments in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era since the 19th CPC National Congress should be incorporated into the Party Constitution.
It agreed to add to the Party Constitution a statement on carrying forward the Party’s fighting spirit and building up its fighting capacity.
Also included into the Party Constitution is advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through the Chinese path to modernization, the central task of the CPC on the new journey of the new era.
In addition, statements on gradually realizing the goal of common prosperity for all, the fostering of a new development paradigm and pursuing high-quality development were incorporated into the Constitution of the CPC.
The CPC Constitution is also revised to include the two-step plan to build China into a great modern socialist country in all respects through the middle of this century.
The amendment also included resolutely implementing the policy of “one country, two systems”, resolutely opposing and deterring separatists seeking “Taiwan independence”, and advancing the building of an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity.
