Political transition in China: Jianhai Bi assesses the course and outcome of the 17th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party in October 2007.

• Author: Bi, Jianhai

When the 17th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party ended in mid-October 2007, another political transition had been brought about. The congress, one of the most important political events in China, was of great significance to both Chinas 1.3 billion people and the world at large. Its 2217 delegates, representing the party's 70.8 million members, mapped out Chinas all-round development for the coming five years whilst deciding the party's new leadership lineup.

In a work report delivered at the congress, President Hu Jintao oulined the Chinese leadership's latest views on development. He stated that China, by 2020, would quadruple the per capita gross domestic product of the year 2000. It would do so by optimising the economic structure and improving economic returns. Hu forecast that by 2020 China would have basically accomplished its industrialisation, significantly increasing its overall national strength and its domestic market ranking as one of the largest in the world. Furthermore, he defined the objective in the party's basic line as turning China into a 'prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious' modern socialist country. (1)

Although stressing that fast economic growth was still a top priority, Hu noted that the governing party had to take into account its excessively high cost in terms of resources and the environment. He said that in the last four years the country's GDP has been growing at an annual rate of more than 10 per cent, topping US$2.7 trillion in 2006. The per capita GDP of US$2042 was up $339 (17 per cent) on the previous year. In the future, development patterns would have to be significantly transformed. He set forth the new goal: by 2020, Chinas per capita GDP would be four times what it was in 2000. But the rapid growth would be achieved under conditions of reduced consumption of resources and greater efforts in environment protection. The top goal is to build a well-off society that would ensure balanced economic growth, improvement of people's well-being and social justice.

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The ruling party would also aim to narrow the widening income gap while helping the disadvantaged. 'There remains an imbalance in development between urban and rural areas, among regions and between the economy and society', Hu pointed out, referring to the wealth divide across the country. 'There are still a considerable number of impoverished and low-income people in both urban and rural areas, and it has become more difficult to accommodate the interests of all sides.' He dwelt on his signature policy, a push to re-channel breakneck development by spreading the benefits of economic successes more evenly. The party will increase transfer payments, intensify the regulation of incomes through taxation, break business monopolies, create equal opportunities, and overhaul income distribution practices with a view to gradually reversing the growing income disparity. By 2020 the aim is to have a reasonable pattern of income distribution basically in place, with middle-income earners making up the majority and absolute poverty essentially eliminated. Everyone will also have access to basic medical and health services. (2)

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Hu emphasised anti-corruption measures, stating that the party never tolerates corruption or any other negative phenomena. Corruption is a particularly resonant issue after the leadership stripped former Shanghai party chief Chen Liangyu of office in one of the highest-level corruption scandals in its history. Hu warned the delegates that corruption remained a threat to the survival of the party. Resolutely punishing and effectively preventing corruption is crucial to popular support for the party and its survival.

Ideological establishment

In his work report, Hu reaffirmed his new idea to make a change in the development model and introduce a scientific outlook on development. Given the communist leaders' traditional preoccupation with ideology, they have to found a new theory with their unique personal stamp to consolidate their leadership. As a result, they have each in turn promoted an extension of the ideology of their predecessor. In terms of establishing ideological status, Mao Zedong set up his own theoretical system, known as the Thought of Mao Zedong. It is one of the pillars of the ideological complex that supports the Chinese communists. The most distinct components of Maoism are Guerrilla...