Author:  Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Founding Chair GSRRA, Sinologist (ex-Diplomat), Editor, Analyst, Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization). (E-mail: awanzamir@yahoo.com).

In the changed geopolitics, where misunderstandings and misperceptions, have widened the gap between China and the West. Even though the rivalry is very much obvious, some countries are opposing China’s peaceful rise and take it as a threat to their hegemony.  They are trying to contain, China, and counter China, in all aspects, including political, diplomatic, economic, technological, etc. The media is spreading anti-China sentiments widely. Social media is being used to malign China.

The 20th CPC National Congress will focus on all the current challenges as well as the expected challenges of the future. This time, major decisions are expected including short-term and long-term policy matters. It will reshape global geopolitics and will be decisive for China, the region, and the whole world.

Decisions are expected on the future of President Xi Jinping’s tenure, whether to continue as it is or need to have some changes. President Xi has emerged as the strongest global leader, enjoying three powers, as a President of China, the executive powers, as a Chairman Military Commission, the military powers, and as a Secretary-General, the political powers of CPC. There is no bar on his continuation of status-co as the term and age limitation was removed in the previous Congress.

The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Tuesday held a meeting on the preparatory work for the seventh plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee and the 20th CPC National Congress. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting.

The meeting decided that the seventh plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee is to be convened on Oct. 9 in Beijing. The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee will propose to the plenary session that the 20th CPC National Congress be convened on Oct. 16 in Beijing.

It was stressed at the meeting that the 20th CPC National Congress is a congress of great significance to be convened at a crucial moment, as the whole Party and the entire nation embark on a new journey toward building a modern socialist country in all respects, and advance toward the Second Centenary Goal.

The congress will hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, uphold Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development, and thoroughly implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

The congress will take stock of the Party's work over the past five years, as well as major achievements and valuable experience of the Party's Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core in uniting and leading the whole Party and Chinese people of all ethnic groups to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

The congress will thoroughly review the international and domestic situations, comprehensively grasp the new requirements for the development of the cause of the Party and the country on the new journey in the new era, as well as the new expectations of the people.

The congress will formulate action plans and major policies, mobilize all Party members and people from all ethnic groups across the country to firm up confidence in history, strengthen the historical initiative, innovate on the basis of what has been done, and bravely charge ahead.

All Party members and people from all ethnic groups across the country will be mobilized to continue advancing the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy in a coordinated manner, pushing forward common prosperity for all, advancing the great new project of Party building, and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

All Party members and people from all ethnic groups across the country will be mobilized to work together for building China into a modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts.

A new CPC Central Committee and a new CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection will be elected at the congress.

All preparatory work for the congress is proceeding smoothly and preparations should be continued earnestly to ensure a successful congress, according to the meeting. Other issues were also discussed at the meeting.

The whole world is keeping close eyes on this Congress and China-related researchers and experts are commenting on various aspects of the Congress. Some are making their guess and analyzing the affairs, but, till the Congress is held and the decisions are announced, no one can make a conclusion absolutely. 

Although the National Congress is a routine matter and is held every five years. But the upcoming 20th Congress is really very much important and may transform global politics in a certain manner. It will have a deep impact on China as well as on the region and the whole world. China has emerged as a global power and may have a deep impact on global affairs.  

Based on my personal understanding, I am quite optimistic that China will make the decision in the best interest of humankind, not only for the Chinese people, but, also for the global community, and for the total welfare of humankind.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)