Put simply, the development direction of the country is decided under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.

 

The specific procedures are, the National Congress of the Communist Party of China proposes policies and principles for the national development, and the proposals are then submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress or the State Council, based on the decisions of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, to come up with specific policy proposals. 

 

The policy proposals will then be reviewed, deliberated and approved by the National People’s Congress to become national policies and strategies for implementation.

 

The First National Congress of the Communist Party of China was held in July 1921, officially proclaiming the establishment of the Communist Party of China. According to the Constitution of the Communist Party of China, the National Congress of the Communist Party of China is the Party’s highest leading body, exercises the decision-making and supervision powers.

 

Since the founding of the Communist Party of China to the 1970s, there was no definite term for each congress held in this period, and the meeting duration also varied. After the adoption of the reform and opening-up policy, the date for the congress was gradually fixed and, at present, the National Congress is convened every five years.

 

According to the Constitution of the Communist Party of China, the National Congress exercises the following powers and functions:

To hear and examine the reports of the CPC Central Committee 

To hear and examine reports of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection

To discuss and make decisions on major issues concerning the Party

To revise the Constitution of the Party

To elect the Central Committee

To elect the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection

 

The General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee is elected by the plenum of the CPC Central Committee. The General Secretary is the principal leader of the Communist Party of China, and is also the paramount leader of the Party, the government and the military.

 

The Party’s Constitution stipulates, the term of office for the general secretary is identical with the Central Committee, five years for each term, and there is no limits on consecutive terms. According to the current Constitution of the Party, the General Secretary is also the highest leader of the National Congress, the Central Committee, and the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee.

 

The National Congress of the Communist Party of China is held every five years, and agendas for discussion include:

To elect a new central leadership

To recommend candidates for the leading posts of the National People’s Congress, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and the state organs

To make important decisions concerning economic reforms and development

To work out important national decisions, strategies and arrangements

To set the tone and direction for making the five-year plans