Xi's explanatory speech on CPC decision on system, governance released

An explanatory speech made by Xi Jinping on the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee's decision on some major issues concerning how to uphold and improve the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and advance the modernization of China's system and capacity for governance was made public Tuesday.

Entrusted by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Xi, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, delivered the speech to the fourth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, which convened from Oct. 28 to 31 in Beijing.

The decision was adopted at the session.

Xi explained the background and considerations for focusing on how to uphold and improve the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and advance the modernization of China's system and capacity for governance.

"First, this is a major task for delivering on the two centenary goals," Xi said.

With deepening reform and opening up, the Party has a stronger appreciation of institution building, Xi said, adding the CPC's 15th, 16th and 17th national congresses all put forward clear requirements on the subject.

The Party has placed institution building in a more prominent position since the 18th CPC National Congress, Xi said, adding that the 19th CPC National Congress set the goals for the building of China's system and capacity for governance, with new strides made at the second and third plenary sessions of the 19th CPC Central Committee.

"Second, this is the fundamental requirement for advancing reform and opening up in the new era," Xi said.

The third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee rolled out 336 major reform measures. Notable achievements were made in key areas in the more than five years that followed, with fundamental institutions in major fields basically formed.

Speaking of deepening overall reform in the new era, Xi said the building of systems and capacity for governance must be put into a more prominent position, and institutional reform in all areas must be further deepened.

"Third, this is a strong guarantee for the country's response to risks and challenges and taking initiatives," Xi said.

In a world undergoing changes unseen in a century, the risks and challenges that the country is facing are more severe than ever, Xi said.

The impact of the risks and challenges must be dealt with using the power of the system, Xi noted.

He further elaborated on the process of drafting.

He said a consensus was reached during the drafting that it was of great and far-reaching significance for the fourth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee to focus on the topic of system and governance and made a decision on it, at a time the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China is celebrated.

In more than six months, the drafting group discussed and revised the draft decision on multiple occasions. In September, opinions on the draft were solicited both within and outside the Party.

A total of 1,755 pieces of advice on the revision to the draft decision were put forward to the drafting group, according to Xi.

Xi said the document has been highly acknowledged.

It answered the important question of "what to uphold and strengthen and what to improve and develop," Xi said, adding that it will have a big impact on improving institutions in all fields and turning China's institutional strength into effective governance.

The CPC Central Committee instructed the drafting group to research and take into consideration the opinions and suggestions solicited.

Xi also explained the outline of the document, which is divided into three parts containing 15 chapters.

The first part, which serves as an overview, states the historic achievements and notable strengths of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, as well as the significance and general requirements for upholding and improving the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and advancing the modernization of China's system and capacity for governance.

The second part, containing 13 chapters, elaborates on the different aspects of the fundamental, basic and important institutions that underpin the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The third part, which includes a conclusion, states the requirements for Party leadership over upholding and improving the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and advancing the modernization of China's system and capacity for governance, Xi said.