China begins key meeting of top leadership ahead of CPC congress | World news
China on Sunday began a special meeting of its top leadership ahead of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), with President Xi Jinping delivering a performance report at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Xi handed over the work report to the representative of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee (Politburo), briefing the 20th CPC national congress on the proposed report by the 19th CPC Central Committee, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
More than 300 senior CPC officials attended Sunday’s meeting and all the officials present are also expected to brief on the principles of the party’s political and economic policies apart from the decision to elect amendment to the CPC Act.
An official statement said the 19th Central Committee for Criminal Investigation (CCDI) – China’s anti-graft watchdog – is also set to submit a report during the meeting.
Xi is expected to secure an unprecedented third term at the end of the summit, which began on October 16 and will continue for at least a week. The date that the new leader – in addition to Xi – will be introduced has not yet been announced.
Xi, 69, securing a third term means a break from a party tradition of leaders retiring at the age of 68.
During the previous national conference held in October 2017, a report titled Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics was incorporated into the party constitution. The plan is understood to be an endorsement of the growth and influence of the Chinese President.
At this time, the idea can be shortened to Xi Jinping’s plan. At the end of the summit, Xi will likely emerge as a leader with equal stature to Mao Zedong, the founding father of modern China. He hopes to continue as president, head of the Central Military Commission and, most importantly, as general secretary of the CPC – the source of his power.
As many as 2,296 delegates will attend a series of meetings leading up to and during the conference.
A total of 771 delegates, or 33.6% of the total, came from the front with 192 being workers or migrant workers, 85 being farmers, and 266 being professionals and engineers, Xinhua reported.
“The number of female representatives has reached 619, or 27 percent of the total, an increase of 2.8 percentage points compared to the 19th CPC National Congress five years ago,” the report said, adding: “There are 264 ethnic representatives, who is from at least 40 ethnic groups”.
A tight security cover has been put in place around Beijing with authorities banning the use of drones and low-flying objects until the end of the month.
Entry into the city is strictly monitored with additional Covid-19 prevention measures requiring those entering to carry mandatory health certificates and to isolate in designated hotels and isolation areas if entering from areas with Covid cases. Public activities are also restricted in the city.
