CPC to amend party constitution

The Communist Party of China (CPC) will amend its constitution at the upcoming national congress.

The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Monday deliberated a draft amendment to the constitution at a meeting presided over by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

"Amending the constitution at the 19th CPC National Congress on the basis of the new situation and tasks would promote the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics and Party building," said a statement issued after the meeting.

It said the amendments must include the key theories and strategic thoughts presented by a work report to be delivered at the 19th CPC National Congress.

"The amended constitution must fully represent the latest sinicization of Marxism, new governance concepts, thought and strategies of the CPC Central Committee since the 18th CPC National Congress, as well as new experiences in adhering to and strengthening Party leadership and in strict Party governance," according to the statement.

It also noted that the amendment should make the CPC more vigorous, stronger and enable it to keep a close connection with the people.

The draft amendment will be submitted to the seventh plenary meeting of the 18th CPC Central Committee, which will be held on Oct. 11, for discussion.

The CPC constitution was last amended in 2012.

The meeting also reviewed a draft report by the 18th CPC Central Committee to the 19th CPC National Congress, which has undergone public and Party consultation. The draft, with revisions after the meeting, will be submitted to the seventh plenary meeting of the 18th CPC Central Committee for discussion.

"Wisdom should be pooled to draw up a report which conforms to the common wish shared by the Party and people of all ethnic groups, meets the requirements for socialist development with Chinese characteristics and adapts to the new situation and tasks for the work of the Party and the country," the statement said.

"The 19th CPC National Congress is a very important meeting to be held at a critical stage when China is striving for achieving a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way, and at a critical time for the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics."

It also said that the congress has a great significance in inspiring and mobilizing people to forge ahead.

The statement said it is imperative to analyze the development trend of the world and China, grasp new requirements for the country's development and new expectations from the people, and summarize the experiences that the Party has gained from leading people to advance the reform and opening up and the building of socialist modernization.

"The people-oriented development thought should be implemented to solve the conspicuous problems faced by the country and a strategic plan should be made for the causes of the Party and the country to promote balanced economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological progress and coordinated implementation of the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy," the statement said.

The Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy refers to building a moderately prosperous society, deepening reform, advancing law-based governance and strengthening Party self-governance.