The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is expected to convene on October 18 in Beijing. Party delegates will elect the new leadership of the CPC at the congress.

The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee decided at a meeting on Aug 31 to submit a proposal on the schedule to the seventh plenary meeting of the 18th CPC Central Committee, which will be held on Oct 11.

The 19th National Congress of the CPC will be of great significance as China enters a decisive phase to finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and a crucial stage in the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics, according to the meeting on Aug 31, which was presided over by Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

The 19th CPC National Congress will review the Party’s work over the past five years and summarize precious experiences that the Party has gained from the historical process of uniting and leading people of all ethnic groups to carry on and advance socialism with Chinese characteristics under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi at the core since the 18th CPC National Congress.

It will thoroughly examine the current international and domestic situation, and take into account the new requirements for the development of the Party and the country as well as new expectations from the people.

The congress will draw out guidelines and policies that respond to the call of the times, according to the meeting.

A new CPC Central Committee and a new Central Commission for Discipline Inspection will be elected at the congress.

Key meeting at crucial time

The national congress of the CPC is held every five years to elect the top slate of leadership of China’s ruling party and draw the blueprint for the country’s development.

In late July, a high-profile workshop for provincial and ministerial officials was held in preparation for the 19th National Congress of the CPC, which Xi described as a key meeting at a crucial time for the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Xi’s speech at the workshop has laid an important political, ideological and theoretical foundation for the success of the upcoming national congress, a Xinhua commentary said, calling the workshop a “tone-setting meeting.”

Stressing the goals of the nation, Xi said China must accomplish building a moderately prosperous society by 2020, and strive for the great victory of socialism with Chinese characteristics as well as the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

Xi, also President of China and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), hailed “the historic changes” in the development of the CPC and the nation “over the past five extraordinary years,” saying China’s development is standing at a new historical starting point.

The country’s achievements also mean that socialism with Chinese characteristics has expanded the pathway to modernization for developing countries, thus providing “Chinese wisdom” and “Chinese solutions” for problems facing mankind, he added.

Xi was elected member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee at the 17th CPC National Congress in 2007 and became general secretary of the CPC Central Committee at the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012.