China’s Communist Party on Wednesday confirmed a second five-year term for President Xi Jinping and unveiled the new Politburo Standing Committee.
The Politburo Standing Committee, a powerful inner circle of political officials, includes Xi, Premier Li Keqiang, as well as new members Li Zhanshu, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng, Wang Yang and Wang Huning.
Soon after being re-elected general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Jinping presented the new CPC central leadership to the press and laid down a roadmap for the next five years.
Xi, 64-years-old led the six newly elected members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee into a brightly-lit room inside the hall facing roll of audience and eager journalists.
“I was re-elected general secretary of the CPC Central Committee,” said a confident Xi against the backdrop of a giant Chinese landscape painting featuring the Great Wall.
“I see this as not just approval of my work, but also encouragement that will spur me on,” he said.
Xi thanked all other members of the Party for the trust they have placed in the new leadership and vowed to work diligently to “meet our duty, fulfil our mission and be worthy of their trust.”
“The coming five years, Xi said, will see several important junctures and signposts.
“Not only must we deliver the first centenary goal, we must also embark on the journey toward the second centenary goal,” he said.
The year of 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of the launch of reform and opening-up.
Xi said that China will make determined efforts to comprehensively deepen reform and open still wider to the world.
“The year of 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
“The CPC will continue efforts to accomplish all the tasks laid down in the 13th Five-Year Plan, develop new blueprints for China’s future, and see the flourishing of all the endeavours.’’
Xi reiterated the resolve to establish a moderately prosperous society across all metrics in 2020.
He said the Party must remain committed to a people-centered philosophy of development and make steady progress toward enhancing the people’s sense of fulfillment and realising common prosperity for everyone.
The CPC will mark its centenary in 2021.
Xi said the Party will generate waves of positive energy which can build into a mighty and nationwide force driving China’s development and progress.
“For a party which fights for the eternal wellbeing of the Chinese nation, the centenary only ushers in the prime of life.
“As the world’s largest political party, the CPC must behave in a way commensurate with this status.
“China will work with other nations to build a global community with a shared future, and make new and greater contributions to the noble cause of peace and development for all humanity,’’ he said.
Xi said He said the 19th Party Congress has received extensive and detailed reporting and the media coverage has captured the attention of the world.
A total of 452 major political parties in 165 countries have sent 855 messages of congratulation to the CPC on the congress.
Xi encouraged the press to continue to follow China’s development and progress, and learn about and report on more dimensions of China.
“We do not need lavish praise from others, however, we do welcome objective reporting and constructive suggestions, for this are our motto: ‘Not angling for compliments, I would be content that my integrity fills the universe,’’ he said.
Some international journalists from the BBC, The Economist, the Financial Times, The Guardian and the New York Times, were all barred from attending the official presentation of China’s new leadership team. (dpa/NAN)