China Has Set Oct. 18 For Its Communist Party Congress. Here's What To Expect

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The most important date of China's packed 2017 political calendar has now been set: Oct. 18. That's the date state media announced Thursday for the 19th national congress of China's ruling Communist Party, a key gathering that takes place every five years.

The meeting is expected to induct a new lineup of leaders who will rule the world's most populous nation for the next five years — and beyond.

There's not much suspense about one outcome of the congress: President Xi Jinping, 64, who is also the party boss and the head of China's military, is all but assured of a second five-year term.

Xi has spent his first term consolidating his grip on power to a degree not seen in China for decades. He has packed the power structure with allies and protégés, and knocked out potential rivals through a wide-ranging anti-corruption drive.

Last year, the party acclaimed Xi as the "core" of China's leadership, and officials since then have been especially busy pledging their fealty to him and studying his speeches and writings.

Endless meetings have emphasized to the party rank and file the importance of "upholding the authority" of the party leadership and refraining from making "improper comments" about party policies.

This month, for example, Xi's protégé Cai Qi, now party boss of Beijing, exhorted the capital's officials to venerate Xi's compiled speeches as "the most important book on your desk, your main reference work, and your source of mottoes."

As previous party congresses have done for previous leaders, including Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin, the 19th may formally enshrine "Xi Jinping Thought" in the party's charter.

The general format of the conclave is similarly predictable. A couple thousand delegates will select a 200-member central committee, which will in turn produce a roughly 20-member politburo, above which is a standing committee of probably between five and nine men. (The chances of a female leader making it to this level appear slim).

While the process appears to work from the bottom up, it is in fact controlled from the top down. Xi will likely run unopposed for the party boss job, his name being the only one on the ballot.

What is less clear is what will happen to a number of informal, unwritten rules that have emerged to govern the transition of power at the top of the political structure.

Founding Communist leader Mao Zedong ruled China until his death in 1976. Over the past couple of decades, the convention has been for leaders to serve fixed terms, and for members of the politburo standing committee to retire at age 68.

But some of Xi's supporters argue that special times require a special leader and a special arrangement — including, perhaps, even a third term for Xi, stretching into 2027. Xi's right-hand man, 68-year-old Wang Qishan, who has led the government's anti-graft drive, may also stay on despite his age.

A lot of important government work will remain on hold until after the congress, as the leadership is determined that nothing should distract from the big event. And while security throughout the country is sure to be very tight, they will hope that no forces beyond their control – natural disasters, international crises – intrude on the big meeting.

The timing of the congress in mid-October should leave Xi enough time to get his domestic political act together — including unveiling his new leadership lineup, dispatching any challengers and outlining new policy directions for his second term — before President Trump's expected first visit to China later in the fall.</s>Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 31 Août 2017 modifié le 31 Août 2017 - 18:39 

 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. BEIJING, Aug. 31 -- The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is expected to convene on Oct. 18 in Beijing. 

 

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

 

 The Political Bureau meeting 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. 

 

 (Source: People’s Daily)</s>BEIJING (China Daily/Asia News Network) - The 19th Communist Party of China National Congress will convene in Beijing on Oct 18.

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

A new CPC Central Committee and a new Central Commission for Discipline Inspection will be elected at the congress, according to the Thursday meeting.

The Political Bureau meeting, presided over by Mr Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, studied preparatory work for the Plenary Session and National Congress.

The National Congress is "greatly important" at a time the country is undergoing the decisive stage in finishing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects as well as the crucial period of the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics, reported The China Daily.

The congress will hold high the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, be guided by Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory and the Thought of Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development, according to the meeting.

The congress will put into practice guiding principles from Mr Xi's major policy addresses as well as new ideas, thoughts and strategies regarding governance by the CPC Central Committee.

It will review the party's work over the past five years and summarise the historical process and the experiences the CPC Central Committee with Mr Xi as its core has gained, uniting and leading people of all ethnic groups to carry on and advance socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The congress will thoroughly examine the current international and domestic situation and fully take into account new requirements for the party and the country's development as well as new expectations from the people, it was decided.

It will also draw guidelines for actions and major policies that meet the requirements of the times. It will call upon all members of the party and all the people of China to fortify their confidence in the socialist path, theories, system and culture with Chinese characteristics.

What's more, it will continue promoting coordinated progress in economic, political, cultural, social and ecological areas.

It also will continue advancing in a coordinated manner the party's Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy, which includes building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, driving reform to a deeper level, fully implementing the rule of law, and strengthening party discipline.</s>BEIJING (AP) — China says a key Communist Party meeting held once every five years will start on Oct. 18.

Thursday’s announcement of the 19th National Party Congress by the official Xinhua News Agency marks the formal countdown to the meeting at which President Xi Jinping will begin his second five-year term as head of the ruling party.

It will also see the selection of new members of key bodies, including the all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee that Xi is expected to pack with allies. The congress typically runs for about 10 days.

Xi has emerged as China’s most powerful leader in decades, dominating the party, government, military and state economy. The congress will also be scrutinized for signs that Xi intends to remain beyond the 10-year terms served by his predecessor.

Copyright © 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.</s>China on Thursday said a key Chinese Communist Party meeting held once every five years will start on Oct. 18, marking the formal countdown to the gathering at which President Xi Jinping will begin his second five-year term as head of the ruling party.

The 19th National Party Congress will also see the selection of new members of key bodies, including the all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee that Xi is expected to pack with allies to the detriment of rival factions. The congress typically runs for about 10 days.

 

 Xi has emerged as China's most powerful leader in decades, dominating the party, government, military and state economy. The congress will also be scrutinized for signs that Xi intends to remain beyond the 10-year terms served by his predecessors, the most telling of which would be the failure of a clear successor to emerge.

 

 Xi, who has already assumed the title of "core" of the party leadership, is also expected to further cement his authority by having his thoughts on political theory written into the party constitution.

 

 The congress will also offer an opportunity to reinvigorate Xi's campaign against corruption that has been his signature political achievement, alongside a muscular foreign policy and efforts to shore up the party's presence and influence in the economy and society, including among academia and the vibrant online sector.

 

 In its announcement read on the national evening news report, the official Xinhua News Agency said the congress would review the achievements of the past five years, thoroughly analyze the current domestic and international situation, and ``mobilize the entire party and people... to strengthen self-confidence in the in the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics.''

 

 The congress "is an extremely important meeting being held at a crucial time for the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics," said the announcement, which also referenced Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought and the political theories of other Chinese leaders.</s>China has ended the mystery and international guessing games and officially set the date for its most important political meeting, held only twice in a decade.

The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party will open on October 18, with 2300 delegates in attendance.

During its course, Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to consolidate his grip on power for the next five years as the party's general secretary.

The key policies set for China's next five year's at the week-long meeting will have global implications.

Dubbed the Chinese version of Game of Thrones, the make-up of China's most senior political ranks, the Politburo's standing committee, will be reshuffled and closely watched, to see who is in and who is out.

The hot tip in the one-party state is that Xi's followers will be in the ascendant. Already, there has been the surprise axing from the race to join top ranks of one of China's political rising stars.

A month ago, Sun Zhengcai, 53, the youngest member of the Politburo and the party boss of the populous inland city of Chongqing, was dumped and put under investigation.

Chongqing appears cursed for political aspirants. In the lead up to the last national congress in 2012, the Chongqing party chief Bo Xilai was dramatically ousted and now sits in jail convicted of corruption.

Based on their age, only two of the seven member standing committee - Xi and premier Li Keqiang - are expected to stay on. But there is speculation that Xi's close ally and corruption fighter, Wang Qishan, may beat convention and stay.

Xi, already referred to as the "core" leader by the party, may also further entrench his influence in the history books by proposing a key theory to be studied by millions of party members alongside those of past communist strongmen Jiang Zemin, Deng Xiaoping and Mao Zedong.

Many of the key decisions about China's next five-year road map have been decided in advanced at a closed-door seaside conclave at Beihaide last month.</s>Beijing: The Communist Party of China (CPC) will hold the 19th National Congress - the most important political event in the country -- on October 18, the state-media said on Thursday.

The once in five years affair is crucial for Chinese President and Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping, who will look to consolidate more power at the event.

According to official news agency Xinhua, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee decided on Thursday to submit the proposal on the schedule to the seventh plenary meeting of the 18th CPC Central Committee to be held on October 11.

The 25-member Political Bureau is the second most powerful body after the Polit Bureau of the Standing Committee which contains seven members.

Xi is the member of the supreme body of the CPC.

The 19th CPC National Congress will review the Party`s work over the past five years and summarise experiences under the leadership of the Central Committee with Xi at the core since the 18th National Congress, Xinhua said.

Xi has emerged as one of the most powerful leaders in China and arguably on par with Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping after he was conferred the title "core leader".

Before Xi, the honorific was given only to Mao and Deng.

The October event 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.

The CPC was founded in 1921 and it took power in Beijing in 1949 after a long civil war.</s>The Chinese authorities are finally out with the date for the twice-a-decade China’s Communist Party Congress that begins October 18th.

The Diplomat notes 5 things to watch out for at the Chinese Communist Party Congress:

1. Xi Jinping ... it is virtually certain that Xi will be returned as General Secretary for another five years.

2. Who serves on the Standing Committee also matters

3. Another telling development will be the ability of former presidents to anoint future presidents

4. The still significant challenges for China ahead</s>BEIJING (REUTERS, AFP) – China’s ruling Communist Party will hold its once-every-five-years congress starting on Oct 18, state media said on Thursday (Aug 31), at which President Xi Jinping is expected to receive a second term as the party’s top leader.

The brief dispatch by the official Xinhua news agency did not say how long the congress would go on for.

The 19th party congress will shape the influence for years to come of a president already considered the country’s most powerful leader in a generation.

The meeting will discuss the country’s accomplishments since the previous gathering and elect the new members of the party’s top leadership, according to the party’s official mouthpiece the People’s Daily.</s>China will convene its 19th Party Congress on October 18, state media said Thursday, a key meeting held every five years where President Xi Jinping is expected to receive a second term as the ruling Communist party's top leader.

The meeting will discuss the country's accomplishments since the previous gathering and elect the new members of the party's top leadership, according to the party's official mouthpiece the People's Daily.

The congress will decide a new line-up for the all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee, the group of seven politicians who run the world's second largest economy.

At the meeting, President Xi Jinping is widely expected to consolidate his grip on power, solidifying his position as China's most powerful ruler in a generation.

The new slate of committee members is traditionally seen as indicating Xi's most likely successor after he steps down, expected for 2022.

But the Chinese president has thus far delayed anointing an heir, spurring speculation that he will try to stay in office beyond the standard 10-year tenure.
The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China is expected to start on October 18, 2017.