The 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China is now underway in Beijing. More than 2,200 delegates attending Thursday's opening ceremony listened to a report delivered by General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Hu Jintao. Su Yi has more.
In his comprehensive 2-hour-long speech, Hu Jintao reviewed the work of the Party over the past decade and called on all Party members and the Chinese people to "march on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics."
Hu Jintao vowed to double the gross domestic production of the world's second largest economy, as a strong pledge to increase general income.
"On the basis of making China's development much more balanced, coordinated and sustainable, we should double its 2010 GDP and per capita income for both urban and rural residents."
It's the first time that per capita income has been included in the midterm economic growth target set by the party.
Also on the economic front, Hu Jintao said that the country will consolidate and develop the public sector while at the same time supporting the non-public sector to compete equally.
"We should allow public ownership to take diverse forms, and invest more to state capital in major industries and key fields that comprise the lifeline of the economy and are vital to national security."
Hu Jintao said China will continue to carry out political reform, making "people's democracy" more extensive.
"No organization or individual has the privilege of overstepping the Constitution and laws, and no one in a position of power is allowed in any way to take one's own words as the law, place one's own authority above the law or abuse the law."
Hu Jintao also vowed to build China into a "maritime power".
"We should enhance our capacity for exploiting marine resources, resolutely safeguard China's maritime rights and interests, and build China into a maritime power."
In his report, Hu Jintao also touched on several other issues, including military modernization, environmental protection and foreign policies.
The CPC national congress is held every five years.
This year, a new CPC Central Committee and new Central Commission for Discipline Inspection will be elected.
The congress runs through to next Wednesday.
For CRI, I'm Su Yi.
Delegates of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) arrive to attend the 18th CPC National Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 8, 2012. The 18th CPC National Congress will be opened in Beijing on Thursday morning. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/Liu Yuanhui]
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| Xi Jinping |
Xi Jinping set to become leader after the congress. Born 1 June 1953, and a high-ranking politician of the People's Republic of China. He currently serves as the top-ranked member of the Central Secretariat of the Communist Party of China the country's Vice President, Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission, President of the Central Party School and the 6th ranked member of the CPC Politburo Standing Committee, China's de facto top power organ.
Son of communist veteran Xi Zhongxun, Xi Jinping served mostly in Fujian province in his early career. He was later appointed party chief of the neighboring Zhejiang province, and then was appointed as Shanghai's party chief following the dismissal of Chen Liangyu . Known for his tough stance on corruption and a frank openness about political and market economy reforms, Xi's combination of positions makes him the presumptive heir to current General Secretary and President Hu Jintao and the Paramount leader of the Communist Party of China's fifth generation of leadership. /Wikipedia
