BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- All eyes will be on China Oct. 18, as the Communist Party of China (CPC) holds its 19th National Congress in Beijing. This is a huge political event that happens every five years, and key decisions for the country will be made and announced here. Below are the answers to some of the most important questions surrounding this highly significant meeting:
Q: Who will attend this Congress?
A: The 19th CPC National Congress features more grassroots delegates than ever.
Of the 2,280 delegates, one third are from "frontline production and manufacturing". This means people in everyday jobs from teaching to factory work, farming to construction are attending the biggest political event in China with the Party leadership and other key delegates from across the CPC.
Q: Will there be changes to the Party constitution?
A: The CPC will update its constitution at the Congress to promote the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics and Party building. The last amendments made to the Party constitution were from the last CPC National Congress in 2012.
Q: What will the amendments be?
A: The amendments won't be announced until after the 19th CPC National Congress has been concluded. What we do know is that the amendments must represent new governance concepts, thoughts and strategies proposed by the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core.
Q: What will be the most important results of the meeting?
A: A new central leadership will be elected at the first plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, after the conclusion of the Congress. As always, there will also be plans detailing the next concrete steps for national development, as well as longer term goals for the country's future.
Q: What's different about this meeting?
A: This meeting is being held at a critical stage in Chinese and international development. China is trying to make sure all its people's lives continue to improve, especially those below or near the poverty line. But this is also coming at a time of unprecedented global unrest. It is more pressing than ever that socialism with Chinese characteristics is developed as an alternative for how a nation can develop sustainably and to the benefit of the whole population.
