The 20th Communist Party of China(CPC) National Congress opened in Beijing on October 16, with the attendance of nearly 2,300 delegates elected by 38 electoral units including provinces, provincial-level regions and central authorities.

The congress, mapping out goals,tasks and policies for the next five years and the longer term as well as electing a new CPC Central Committee and a new CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, has received great attention from the international community.

Change is a hallmark of today’s world. The demands of governing China, a huge, complex country in terms of geography, ethnicity and distribution of wealth, are significant.

As the country grew more economically successful, people’s expectations have increased. The Party has to deliver to a large population,many often wanting different things and wanting them to happen quickly and effectively. On top of that comes its international role as China is becoming a key global actor in areas ranging from sustainability to public health.

Against this backdrop, one must review how far China has come over the past five years, and take stock of national and international developments, as well as people’s new expectations. Based on this, the CPC will chart the course for the future. By considering the aspirations of all layers of society and building consensus, the CPC can come up with visionary goals.More importantly, it will see to it these objectives become a reality through public engagement.

The next five years will be a key period in China’s modernization drive and enabling growth will be of critical importance for China to realize its goal of transforming itself into a modern socialist country by 2049, the year marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

The congress should be an opportunity for China observers to better understand what the CPC is, what it actually does, and how it guides the country down a unique path. BR