Tuo Zhen, spokesperson for the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, holds a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2017. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

The 19th national congress of the Communist Party of China, CPC, opens in the Great Hall of the People in the Chinese capital, Beijing, at 9 am local time on October 18, 2017 with the participation of 2,280 delegates. LiuYunshan was appointed General Secretary of the 19th CPC national congress being covered by 3,068 Chinese and foreign journalists from 134 countries. 

Pre-congress press conference

Speaking at a press conference on October 17, 2017 in Beijing, the Spokesman for the 19th CPC party congress, Tuo Zhen, said the gathering will uphold the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Delegates will reflect on the work of the party in the past five years and look back at the historical course of the party. The congress will formulate a plan of action and major policies and principles tailored to the needs of the times, Tuo noted.

The agenda of the congress concerns discussing and adopting CPC’s 18th Central Committee report, report of the 18th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, amendments to the CPC constitution, election of 19th CPC Central Committee and 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection members. Meanwhile, preparations for the 19th CPC national congress started way back in October 2016 with focus on four areas.

Pursuing reforms

Responding to a question, Tuo Zhen said 1,500 reform steps have been introduced since the last party congress in 2012. He promised that reforms will be pursued as China continues to protect the rights of foreign investors. China’s opening up is expanding in breadth and depth, and more will come, he said. “The economy has picked up since five years. There is now greater balance between urban and rural areas. People’s lives have been significantly improved and over 13 million urban jobs are created each year,” Tuo disclosed.

China’s economic growth

China is the global leader in trade and services, he recalled, adding that there was full confidence in the continuous growth of the economy, with foreign bodies reviewing their forecasts. “We are also confident that poverty will be eradicated in 2020. Measures have been taken to ensure that there is no manipulation of poverty alleviation figures,” Tuo clarified. He promised that political structure reforms will be discussed at the congress. He pledged more reforms to improve socialist democracy and the rule of law. He however warned that political reforms cannot be achieved overnight; neither will China copy or emulate other countries’ models. “Our unique cultural values must be taken into consideration,” Tuo Zhen emphasized.

Unrelenting fight against corruption

Concerning the fight against corruption, he said it targets both the high and low in society. “The anti-corruption drive has gathered momentum and the party now enjoys better governance. The campaign will be pursued with greater determination and vigour,” he vowed.

China’s clout

China’s role in economic globalization involves the community of shared future as proposed by President Xi Jinping. As a member of the UN Security Council and the world’s second largest economy, China is ready to play a greater role in international affairs. Its circle of friends is widening by the day and China is a great advocate of world economic globalization, the 19th CPC party congress spokesman noted.

Belt and Road open to all!

On the future of the Belt and Road Initiative, Tuo Zhen said all countries were welcome to take part as equal partners, irrespective of their size. He assured Western countries not to be afraid of the “Made in China 2025” initiative as business rules apply equally to all companies.

Caribbean, Asian and African journalists at the Great Hall of the People before the press conference. Photo by Eric Biegon

Kimeng Hilton Ndukong, a contributor to People’s Daily Online, is Sub-Editor for World News with Cameroon Tribune bilingual daily newspaper in Cameroon. He is currently a 2017 China-Africa Press Centre, CAPC fellow.