All-round reform on the agenda

A breakdown of the topics under discussion at each plenum

According to the Party Constitution, the CPC National Congress is held every five years, at which the Party's Central Committee is elected. The Constitution states that plenary sessions should be held at least once a year, but doesn't specify the total number to be held between meetings of the CPC Congress. Since 1992, seven plenums have been held between each congress.

The First Plenary Session

This is usually held immediately after the National Congress. The newly elected CPC Central Committee elects the Political Bureau, its standing committee and general secretary.

The Second Plenary Session

This plenum usually discusses the list of candidates for the country's next administration. When finalized, the list is recommended to the upcoming National People's Congress, China's top legislature. A list of leadership candidates for the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's top political advisory body, is also discussed.

The Third Plenary Session

This is the plenum that always attracts the greatest attention, because it lays out the blueprint for economic reform.

The Fourth Plenary Session

This usually focuses on Party building. Issues such as anti-corruption and intra-Party democracy were discussed at the fourth Plenary Session of the 17th CPC Central Committee in 2009.

The Fifth Plenary Session

This plenum usually discusses the Five-Year Plans which outline key economic and development targets for the country. In 2010, the Fifth Plenary Session of the 17th CPC Central Committee made a proposal for the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-15), which was passed during the National People's Congress in 2011.

The Sixth Plenary Session

The Sixth Plenary Session of the 17th CPC Central Committee discussed deepening the reform of the country's cultural system, while the session of the 16th CPC Central Committee focused on building a harmonious society.

The Seventh Plenary Session

This session is usually held a week before the CPC National Congress and lays the groundwork for the event. Amendments to the Party Constitution were discussed at the previous two seventh plenary sessions and passed at the subsequent CPC Congresses.