Communist Party of China begins its key Congress

Chinese President Xi Jinping. (Source: Reuters)

China’s ruling Communist Party on Wednesday began its week long once-in-a-five-year Congress which will confirm a second five-year term for President Xi Jinping and elect new set of leaders. A host of former leaders including previous Presidents, Jiang Zemin, Hu Jimtao took part in the opening meeting. The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) will also elect a new generation of leaders to work with Xi.

The agenda for the key Congress, which will conclude on October 24, has been set at the preparatory meeting held on Tuesday.

Xi presided over the preparatory meeting at the Great Hall of the People which was attended by 2,307 party delegates and especially invited delegates, CPC spokesman Tuo Zhen told media on Tuesday.

A 22-member delegate credentials committee was approved at the meeting. A presidium of the Congress consisting of 243 members was also approved.

The agenda of the party for the Congress include examining the work report about the progress achieved during the past five years, scrutinising report of the discipline inspection relating to the massive anti-corruption carried out in which over 1.34 million party officials especially some top ranking leaders were punished.

The meeting will also deliberate and adopt an amendment to the party’s Constitution, Tuo said.

It will also elect a new Central Committee and its 19th Central Commission for discipline inspection.

Besides Xi and Premier Li Keqiang, the party was expected to elect a new generation of leaders for various powerful bodies of the party.