The 18th National Congress

Striving to make greater accomplishments under the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics and piloting China into a splendid future with full confidence, the eye-catching 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) opened at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the morning of November 8, 2012.

Hu Jintao, on behalf of the 17th CPC Central Committee, delivered a report titled "To Firmly March on the Path of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Strive to Complete the Building of a Moderately Prosperous Society in All Respects". Hu Jintao stressed that the 18th CPC National Congress was a congress of great importance at a decisive phase of building a moderately prosperous society.

The theme of the congress was "to hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, follow the guidance of Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of Three Represents and the Scientific Outlook on Development, free up the mind, implement the policy of reform and opening up, pool our strength, overcome all difficulties, firmly march on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and strive to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects."

The Great Hall of the People looked majestic and dignified. The 10,000-seat auditorium was immersed in a warm atmosphere. The banner written with the "18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China" was hanging above the podium. The party emblem consisting of sickle and hammer was placed at the center of the background scene. 10 bright red flags were placed on the two sides of the podium.

The banners written with "to hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, follow the guidance of Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of Three Represents and the Scientific Outlook on Development, free up the mind, implement the policy of reform and opening up, pool our strength, overcome all difficulties, firmly march on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and strive to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects" and "long live the great, glorious and correct Communist Party of China" were separately placed on the balconies of the second and third floors.

Hu Jintao's Report

Hu Jintao, on behalf of 17th CPC Central Committee, delivered a report, which consists of 12 parts: I the work over the past five years and basic summary of the past ten years; II to seize a new victory in socialism with Chinese characteristics; III goals of completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and comprehensively deepening reform and opening up; IV to speed up the improvement of socialist market economy mechanism and the transformation of economic development patterns; V to firmly march on the political path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and push forward political reform; VI to promote the building of a country with strong socialist culture; VII to strengthen social building in the process of improving people's livelihood and exploring innovative management; VIII to vigorously promote the development of ecological civilization; IX to accelerate the modernization of national defense and military forces; X to enrich the practice of "one country, two systems" and promote the reunification of the motherland; XI to continue to promote the lofty cause of peace and development of mankind; XII to upgrade the scientific level of party building in a holistic manner.

While reviewing the work in the past decade, Hu Jintao stressed that China must seize and make good use of the important phase of strategic opportunities, overcome a number of significant challenges and struggle to advance the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics to a new stage and lay a solid foundation for the building of a moderately prosperous society. Based on the experience in the past ten years, the most important thing was that the party has the courage to promote theoretical innovation based on practice, raised a series of closely-linked new ideas, perspectives, and arguments centering on upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics and formed and implemented the Scientific Outlook on Development. For the future, the party must execute the Scientific Outlook on Development in the entire modernization process and reflect the Scientific Outlook on Development in all aspects of party building.

Talking about the goals of completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and comprehensively deepening reform and opening up, Hu Jintao pointed out that "in light of international and domestic trends China was still in the important development stage of strategic opportunities. We must ensure the fulfillment of our ambitious goal of building a moderately prosperous society by 2020. On the basis of the goal of building a moderately prosperous society, which was identified by the 16th and 17th CPC national congresses, we need to meet new requirements and reach new targets: to maintain the sustained and healthy economic development, achieve significant progress in transforming economic growth patterns, and double GDP and per capita income of urban and rural residents on the basis of 2010; to continue to expand democracy for the people, significantly enhance soft cultural strength, improve people's living standards in all respects, and make significant progress in building resources-saving and environment-friendly society. It requires greater political courage and wisdom to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society. We must catch every opportunity to deepen reform in key areas, resolutely eliminate all types of ideological and institutional barriers hindering scientific development, build sound, scientific and effective institutional systems and make them more mature and more consistent."

Hu pointed out that earnest efforts should be made to render the armed forces more revolutionary, modernized and standardized. "We should carry out reforms in national defense and the armed forces in an appropriate manner, and accelerate the revolution in military affairs with Chinese characteristics. China pursues a national defense policy that was defensive in nature. China strengthens her national defense for the purpose of safeguarding national sovereignty, national security, territorial integrity, and the country's peaceful development."