Flags at the Tian'anmen Square and atop the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.(Photo: Xinhua)

The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has been proposed to be convened on October 16, after the political bureau of the CPC Central Committee held a meeting on Tuesday to discuss relevant matters. Chinese experts said the timing proves that preparations for convening the congress have been successful despite impacts such as the COVID-19 epidemic, and the significant event will draw global attention since it will present the CPC's roadmap for the next five years, a key period for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Tuesday held a meeting on the preparatory work for the seventh plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, and the 20th CPC National Congress. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Tuesday.

The meeting decided that the seventh plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee is to be convened on October 9 in Beijing. The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee will propose to the plenary session that the 20th CPC National Congress be convened on October 16 in Beijing.

It was stressed at the meeting that the 20th CPC National Congress is a congress of great significance to be convened at a crucial moment, as the whole Party and the entire nation embark on a new journey toward building a modern socialist country in all respects, and advance toward the Second Centenary Goal, Xinhua reported.

The congress will hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, uphold Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of the Three Represents and the Scientific Outlook on Development, and thoroughly implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

The congress will take stock of the Party's work over the past five years, as well as major achievements and valuable experience of the Party's Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core in uniting and leading the whole Party and Chinese people of all ethnic groups to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

That the congress is scheduled to be convened on October 16 in Beijing indicates that the preparatory work has been carried out in an orderly manner, and the congress will proceed successfully, Zhang Shuhua, director of the Institute of Political Sciences, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

The next five years will be a key period for the CPC to start a new centenary journey after its 100th founding anniversary in 2021, and China's development, reforms and opening up will also embrace new changes and encounter new challenges, so the congress will be a milestone that connects the achievements of the past and the goals of the future, analysts said.  

The congress is of great significance at a time when China is marching toward the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects. Many plans for the country's future development will likely be specified during the congress, Yang Xuedong, a professor of political science at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times on Monday.

Next 5 years a key period
The congress will thoroughly review the international and domestic situations, comprehensively grasp the new requirements for the development of the cause of the Party and the country on the new journey in the new era, as well as the new expectations of the people, Xinhua reported.

The significance of the 20th CPC National Congress is to lay out the plan for the next five years, which is a key period as the world is experiencing profound changes, and also a key period for China's internal development and further reform, so laying the political and organizational foundations is extremely important for the comprehensive construction of a modern socialist country, Zhang said.

This period is essential for China to stick to the right direction under the strong leadership of the CPC amid the increasingly complicated and challenging international environment, as the uncertainties brought by challenges like the COVID-19 epidemic and the strategic suppression launched by the US have continued to threaten the development and security of China in recent years, analysts said.

A strong and consistent leadership is the foundation of our political stability amid the major power rivalry launched by the US, as well as the foundation to ensure the country overcomes all obstacles, Zhang noted.

For the international community, the world will see how the CPC will further promote the improvement of global governance and safeguard world peace and stability, Yang said.

The congress will formulate action plans and major policies, mobilize all Party members and people from all ethnic groups across the country to firm up confidence in history, strengthen historical initiative, innovate on the basis of what has been done, and bravely charge ahead, according to Xinhua.

All Party members and people from all ethnic groups across the country will be mobilized to continue advancing the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy in a coordinated manner, pushing forward common prosperity for all, advancing the great new project of Party building, and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, Xinhua reported.

As the world is experiencing great changes unseen in a century, the congress will make important decisions and may also adjust existing policies, Yang said. 

All Party members and people from all ethnic groups across the country will be mobilized to work together for building China into a modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts. A new CPC Central Committee and a new CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection will be elected at the congress. All preparatory work for the congress is proceeding smoothly and preparations should be continued earnestly to ensure a successful congress, according to the meeting, Xinhua reported.