Global Impact: 20th party congress wraps up as Xi Jinping lays down his vision for China’s future

The 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party formally closed on Saturday. The 2,200-odd delegates will now return to their provinces and work units having completed their three sacred tasks – electing a new Central Committee, endorsing a norm-breaking third term for President Xi Jinping as the party boss and adopting amendments to the party constitution.

The week-long congress has so far been run strictly according to the script. Xi delivered the work report last Sunday, laying down his visions and goals for the party in the next five years.

Breaking with tradition, the president presented an abridged version of the report at the opening ceremony, condensing his speech to just under two hours. A full version of the report was released after the ceremony and contained many more details to shed light on some of Xi’s signature policies.

The full report answers some of the questions about China’s future direction and priorities, although it does not drill down into specific policies. It explained Xi’s common prosperity initiative and how it can be achieved. The report also outlined his vision of green development and greater self-reliance in science and technology.

Xi also delivered a strong message on anti-corruption, as well as military and defence after pledges to improve strategic deterrence were included in the report for the first time.

Soon after Xi delivered his report, the delegates began their group discussions to study and share their views. Many of them embraced the “two establishments” – shorthands for Xi’s status as the paramount leader and his governing philosophy as the party’s guiding political doctrine.