Officials comment on China's 'truly remarkable five years'

The spokesperson for the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) hosts a press conference on the interpretation of the Report to the 19th CPC National Congress in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 26, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

A number of senior Chinese officials have held a news conference to review the essential messages of the 19th Communist Party of China National Congress, following the event's conclusion on Tuesday.

The officials have spoken about CPC General Secretary Xi Jinping's report at the opening of the National Congress, while echoing his remarks that the Party and the country experienced "truly remarkable five years."

CRI's Guan Chao has more.

According to Xi Jinping's report at the opening of the National Congress, the achievements of the past five years have touched all aspects of the Chinese nation and broken new ground, and the changes in China during the period have been profound and fundamental.

Speaking at Thursday's briefing, Yuan Shuhong, Secretary of the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council-China's cabinet, said Xi Jinping's remarks resonated with the Chinese people.

"In just five years, our party, country, and military overcame difficulties while becoming stronger than ever. On a global scale, the five years saw a sluggish economic recovery, regional conflicts and turbulence, as well as escalating international issues. But Chinese politics and society are still stable. Chinese people still lead happy lives. Our GDP jumped from 54 trillion yuan to 80 trillion yuan, ranking second in the world. We also contributed the largest share to global growth of more than 30%."

While interpreting Xi Jinping's ideas of "a new era" and the evolving principal contradiction facing the Chinese society, Leng Rong, Director of CCCPC Party Literature Research Office said they reflect China's great progress.

"People's 'material and cultural needs' have now evolved into the 'needs for a better life.' The 'backward social production' has been changed into 'unbalanced development.' This reflects our great progress in social development, the need for the current development stage, as well as the top priorities for the CPC and the nation's cause. The economy is still the center of our work, but in the new era we will focus more on comprehensive development."

According to Jiang Jinquan, an official with the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection at the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, Xi Jinping's report at the opening of the National Congress has for the first time prioritized the political building of the CPC.

Deputy secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection Xiao Pei shed light on the joining of hands between the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Ministry of Supervision.

"I can clearly say that the move doesn't mean an expansion of power but rather more responsibilities for both the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Ministry of Supervision."

He added that the move's fundamental purpose is to consolidate anti-corruption resources by joining the forces of discipline inspection and law enforcement departments.

Meanwhile, the press briefing also touched on China's economic goals in the new era.

Yang Weimin, Deputy Director of the Central Leading Group for Financial and Economic Affairs, said in the new era, GDP targets will no longer be China's top pursuit.

"High-speed economic growth was no longer our top pursuit since the 18th CPC National Congress. In the past five years, General Secretary Xi Jinping made the judgment that our economic development has entered a new normal. A feature of the new normal is gear-shifting, namely transitioning from high-speed to medium-to-high speed growth."

He added that for the next steps, China will seek to carry out high-quality, efficient and balanced development.

For CRI, I'm Guan Chao.