The seventh congress of the North Korean Workers' Party opens today after a gap of 36 years. Since the last congress was held in 1980, this time, the world cannot help but cast its eyes on the political gathering.

The outside world knows very little about the country and instead paints it with entrenched stereotypes. The absolute authority of North Korean leaders, the country's determination to develop nuclear weapons, sharp disputes with the international community, and severe economic hardship are its most prevalent labels in the eyes of the external world. Besides, the West also holds a completely negative attitude toward Pyongyang's politics and values.

The event has attracted particular attention because it is considered as an overall, official start to Kim Jong-un's era. The congress will present a new leadership of the nation, who are believed to be younger and will suit Kim's era better. Personnel changes over a period of time will come to an end.

The meeting will also provide a significant opportunity for observation over whether North Korea will initiate "reform and opening-up" against the backdrop of various speculation in the outside world.

The stability of the regime is widely considered as the priority of North Korea's national security. But in deciding how to ensure this stability, Pyongyang has left a strong impression on the world that it firmly believes in the power of nuclear weapons. Yet its nuclear program has brought its regime huge damage. Compared with the time of the last party congress, North Korea is now suffering from a worse economy as well as more pressing military threats from the US. Currently, Pyongyang has obviously come to the most critical juncture since the Korean Armistice Agreement was reached.

The outcome of sticking to nuclear development is very complicated. It has brought Pyongyang far more negative effects on its security than it may have predicted when it initiated its nuclear weapons program in the early years. Policymakers in the country must have realized how serious the issue is, and raised strategies to develop both the economy and nuclear technology at the same time. We may see how they have decided to resolve the contradictions between the two during this conference.

It is not realistic to expect North Korea to make abrupt changes. The nation is also unlikely to stay exactly the same. It has a strong desire to get rid of its long-term isolation and sluggish economy, yet in the meantime, it is confused as to how to take the first step. It is believed that there will be pragmatic analysis during this meeting.

Although the Beijing-Pyongyang relationship has gone through an unpleasant atmosphere over the past few years, the Chinese public sincerely wishes that North Korea could extricate itself from its plight and realize healthy development. Apart from resolutely opposing Pyongyang's nuclear development, Chinese society fully respects North Korea's autonomy to govern its own country. Many forces are now cursing the country, but China will never be one of them.