The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on October 22 approved the report presented by Xi Jinping on behalf of the 19th CPC Central Committee.

The theme of the congress is holding high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, fully implementing the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, carrying forward the great founding spirit of the Party, staying confident and building strength, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, forging ahead with enterprise and fortitude, and striving in unity to build a modern socialist country in all respects and advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts, according to the report.

The following are some highlights of the report: 

Overwhelming victory in fight against corruption

The CPC has achieved an overwhelming victory and fully consolidated the gains in its fight against corruption, the report said, adding that serious hidden dangers inside the Party, the country, and the military have been removed.

The Party will continue to ensure that officials do not have the audacity, opportunity, or desire to become corrupt.

The Party has found a second answer to the question of how to escape the historical cycle of rise and fall. The answer is self-reform, ensuring that the Party will never change its nature, its conviction, or its character, it said.

Promoting high-standard opening-up

China will steadily expand institutional opening-up with regard to rules, regulations, management and standards, said the report.

Efforts will be made to accelerate the country's transformation into a trader of quality, promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and preserve the diversity and stability of the international economic landscape and economic and trade relations, it added.

Education, sci-tech, talent in modernization drive

Education, science and technology, and human resources are the foundational and strategic pillars for building a modern socialist country in all respects, said the report.

To develop education that meets the people's expectations, China will move faster to build a high-quality educational system, advance students' well-rounded development, and promote fairness in education, it said.

Systems for scientific and technological innovation will be improved. Innovation will remain at the heart of China's modernization drive, and an open and globally competitive innovation ecosystem will be created, according to the report.

Whole-process people's democracy – broadest, most genuine form

Whole-process people's democracy is the defining feature of socialist democracy; it is democracy in its broadest, most genuine, and most effective form, according to the report.

China will improve the system of institutions through which the people run the country and will encourage the people's orderly participation in political affairs and guarantee their ability to engage in democratic elections, consultations, decision-making, management, and oversight in accordance with the law.

The report stressed the need to strengthen the institutions through which the people run the country, fully develop consultative democracy, actively develop democracy at the primary level, and consolidate and develop the broadest possible patriotic united front. 

Safeguarding national security, social stability

National security is the bedrock of national rejuvenation, and social stability is a prerequisite for building a strong and prosperous China, said the report.

China must resolutely pursue a holistic approach to national security and promote national security in all areas and stages of the work of the Party and the country, so as to ensure national security and social stability, it noted.

China will take coordinated steps to ensure external and internal security, homeland and public security, traditional and non-traditional security, and the country's own security and common security.

Unswervingly advancing cause of national reunification

The policy of "One Country, Two Systems" is a great innovation of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It has proven to be the best institutional arrangement for ensuring sustained prosperity and stability in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions after their return to the motherland, said the report.

The CPC will implement its overall policy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era, and unswervingly advance the cause of national reunification, the report noted. 

The wheels of history are rolling on toward China's reunification and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the report said, noticing that complete reunification of our country must be realized, and it can, without doubt, be realized!

Never seeking hegemony or engaging in expansionism

China will never seek hegemony or engage in expansionism and stands firmly against all forms of hegemonism and power politics, the Cold War mentality, interference in other countries' internal affairs, and double standards, according to the report.

China remains firm in pursuing an independent foreign policy of peace. It has always decided its position and policy on issues based on their own merits, and it has striven to uphold the basic norms governing international relations and safeguard international fairness and justice, the report said.