China Focus: Zooming into CPC Constitution's latest revision process

BEIJING - The resolution on an amendment to the Constitution of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was adopted at the closing session of the 20th CPC National Congress on Oct 22.

The approval was announced by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

This is the ninth amendment to the CPC Constitution since China's reform and opening up.

Over the past 40 years, the Party has timely incorporated its new achievements in theoretical innovation and practical development into the Party Constitution, so that it plays a crucial role in guiding the development of the Party and the country.

During the past few years, many Party members and organs have suggested a revision to the CPC Constitution at the 20th CPC National Congress, in accordance with the changing situations and in light of the needs for advancing the Party's work and enhancing Party building.

Similar suggestions were also received in January this year when the CPC Central Committee was soliciting opinions for its report to the congress.

On May 27, at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee presided over by Xi, the decision was made to amend the CPC Constitution and a special group was established for the draft amendment.

Three days later, the first meeting of the group marked the official beginning of the work on the revision of the Party Constitution.

The group followed principles set by the CPC Central Committee to make sure the amendment fully reflects the latest achievement in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, and the new ideas, new thinking, and new strategies on national governance put forward since the 19th CPC National Congress.

Fully encouraging intraparty democracy and pooling the wisdom of the entire Party is also one of the principles. It is a hallmark of the process of drafting the amendment.

In July and September, the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau and its standing committee held meetings to deliberate the draft amendment to the CPC Constitution.

Xi paid great attention to soliciting opinions from various sectors. From early June to late August, he presided over five symposiums, hearing relevant opinions from leading officials of various regions across the country as well as the military, and discussed the matter with them.

A unanimous suggestion put forward by the regions and departments when they were asked to offer opinions was to incorporate new developments in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into the Constitution of the CPC.

During the 20th CPC National Congress, the draft amendment was further improved after absorbing opinions and suggestions put forth by delegates to the congress.

The incorporation of the new developments in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into the CPC Constitution reflects a collective and earnest aspiration of the Party as a whole, the entire country, and Chinese people of all ethnic groups, according to the delegates.