President Xi Jinping, now that he is all-powerful, has his task cut out. It is his responsibility to ensure the ‘China dream’ comes true

The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese Government's most important leadership conference, began in Beijing on October 18 with the presence of 2,300 delegates from across the country. Given the context of likely induction of next and sixth generation Chinese leaders, the launch of the 19th party Congress was set up in high-spirited propagandist posters in Beijing, reminding the masses that ‘life in China is good’.

The party Congress, which is held every five-year, and also outlines China's future roadmap, is an ‘important event' for other states and actors as well, given China's rising influence and role in global politics and economy. On the morning of October 18, Chinese President Xi Jinping gave his opening speech, presenting his work report based on past achievements and its future endeavours. The report covered key issues of China's development and growth, socialist modernisation, military reforms, leadership of the party, one-China policy, combating corruption, building technological innovation, fighting climate change and improving connections to Eurasia under infrastructural investments.  It made key reference to ‘socialism with Chinese characteristics’ flourishing under the party rule and becoming ‘new choice’ of development model for other countries. It also highlighted China as being the “center-stage in world politico-economy” and making great service to the humankind.  While the detailed speech covers many areas of China's success story in the past, some key issues and objectives needs examination.

First, setting the timeline to achieve the ‘Chinese dream’ defined as “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation”, President Xi spoke about his desire to realise “two centennial goals” of removing poverty by 2021 and turning China into a “fully developed nation” by 2049, the 100th anniversary of the founding of socialist Peoples Republic. He identified the party to lead the “socialist modernisation” by 2035 with reduced wealth gap and prosperity levels and then embarking on to make China a “global power” with more high-spirited image among nations.

Second, the concern for social stability and political control has always been identified with the party being the ‘leading force' in China. The report spelt out clearly to “resolutely oppose” any actions that undermine its leadership role in China. This is understandable, given China's growth story being largely attributed to ‘party control', thereby enhancing its ruling legitimacy. Given the consideration of “principal contradiction” facing China today due to unbalanced development and peoples needs, the emphasis on party leadership is well positioned to take on any stability issues within China.

 Third, the question of ‘One China policy' and safeguarding its territorial integrity found larger design in the speech. While once China made a ‘tactical retreat', dropping South China Sea from its list of ‘core interests' in 2014, the work report presented in party Congress remained assertive outlining “use of force” if necessary to suppress separatism in Tibet and Xinjiang, importance of ‘1992 consensus' with Taiwan as a precondition for dialogue and being less soft on Hong-Kong with no intention to change or deform from 'One country, two systems' model.

 Fourth, setting the goal for modernisation of Chinese military force, President Xi, who is the chairman of the Central Military Commission, emphasised promoting national defence. Giving details of Chinese future military modernisation plans; the speech identified three stages of its transformation. By embarking upon basic mechanisation based on use of technology by 2020, making big leap towards ‘strategic ability' by 2035 and with modernized national defense system being established by 2050, China would certainly be a world class military. The desired changes are to realise the Chinese dream of a strong military, which must be standard and always prepared to win war. Under President Xi, this objective has found strong support, given China's increased global outreach and interactions once it became worlds second largest economy in 2010.

lastly, since coming to power in 2012, President Xi has instantly consolidating his power and has been accruing enough political capital to spearhead the anti-graft campaign in China. This also relates to ruling legitimacy and administrative efficacy and governance in China. He reiterated that China has ‘zero tolerance' for corruption within Government and the ruling party.

The 19th party Congress spells out critical link towards the goal of ‘China dream'. However, China disowned seeking any kind of ‘global hegemony' and also cleared not to swallow anything against its interests. While Mao helped China find its feet in 1950s and Deng looked its economic transformation in 1990s, it is now under President Xi that China is striving to achieve the ‘China dream’ and transforming itself into ‘a mighty force’ that could lead the world on political, economic, military and environmental issues.

(The writer is a PhD candidate at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University; and Fellow, South Asia Democratic Forum, Brussels, Belgium)