China s Plenum Test

The Long March from the Third Plenum

The matter is pending at the plenum of the Council of State.

BEIJING The Chinese Communist Party has released the final document of the Third Plenum of the 18th Central Committee. In the CCP s history, the third plenum has traditionally been the occasion for the party to announce its major policies for the next 5 10 years.

The next day, 29 March, the 2005 State budget was passed by a Knesset plenum, averting the need for new elections.

BEIJING Though China s leadership succession was completed earlier this year, the policy agenda for the coming decade has only just been revealed. Following Chinese political tradition, the country s new leadership had to wait for the Third Plenum of the Chinese Communist Party s 18th Central Committee held 3 4 quarters after the First Plenum, where the succession was sealed to unveil its economic policy priorities.

Last month, President Xi Jinping announced a set of sweeping economic reforms at the Central Committee s Third Plenum, setting forth his vision of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

And, following the Third Plenum of the Chinese Communist Party s 18th Central Committee last November, China s leaders declared their commitment to allowing the market to play a greater role in shaping economic outcomes.

This is related to the final document s most significant lacuna political reform. In fact, a Singapore style approach combining a freewheeling market economy and an authoritarian regime has clearly emerged from the plenum.

China is no exception. The focus on resolving China s macroeconomic disconnect, reflected at the Fifth Plenum and a likely precursor of what to expect in the upcoming 13th Five Year Plan, is thus very encouraging.

Its Third Plenum reforms provide a cohesive framework for a pro consumption transformation. Though America currently remains intent on resurrecting a tired growth model, there is good reason to hope that it, too, will eventually rebalance.

The Third Plenum of the 18th Party Congress gave primacy to the principle of market competition but, as a senior Chinese banker commented in a related context some years back It s quite hard to compete when you re playing against the referee.

To build the innovative economy envisioned by the third plenum, the CCP s leadership needs to find a new governance model that fosters a vibrant society. Sooner rather than later, the crucially important economic reforms that have just been unveiled will not be enough.

Xi s moves to strengthen his hand have helped to convince observers that he means business with the reform agenda. Since the Third Plenum ended and the scope of Xi s reforms has become clear, many China watchers have hailed him as the most transformative leader since Deng.

My question was set in the context of the new thrust of Chinese reforms announced at last November s Third Plenum of the 18th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, which emphasized the decisive role of market forces in shaping the next phase of China s economic development.

The 60 point resolution produced at the most recent Third Plenum covers six areas the economy, the political system, the environment, culture, society, and Party capacity building. This represents a significant departure from the agendas produced at previous Third Plenums, which focused exclusively on economic reform.

China may regard the nineteenth century experience of a windswept island off the northwest coast of Europe as an odd source of inspiration. But if Chinese leaders meeting at their party plenum accomplish half as much as their nineteenth century English predecessors, they will have done very well indeed.

But the third plenum also provided surprises, including the creation of a leading group within the CCP to steer reform. China used to have a reform commission within the executive branch the establishment of the leading group indicates the CCP s commitment, and that of President Xi Jinping, to comprehensive reform.

For seventh session read eighth session

For Fortieth session read Forty third session

Documentation requirements for the seventh session are estimated at 70 pages of pre session, three pages of in session and 75 pages of post session documentation, and for the eighth session are estimated at two pages of pre session, 50 pages of in session and 100 pages of post session documentation, to be issued in all six languages.

Indeed, it was at the Third Plenum of the CCP s 11th Central Committee that Deng Xiaoping launched the reforms that opened up the Chinese economy and triggered more than three decades of rapid economic growth. The Third Plenums of the CCP s 14th and 16th Central Committees held in 1993 and 2003, respectively also stand out.

In assessing the outcome of the Third Plenum, what observers should really be looking for is evidence of a bold strategy for political reform. If Xi and his colleagues produce no credible sign of such a commitment, everything else will be eyewash and skepticism about China s fate under their leadership eventually will be vindicated.

Read in session data without locking the session data.

A one week pre session working group follows each session.

Despite bold reform plans outlined at the recent Third Plenum of the 18th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party China s prospects remain compromised by deep rooted contradictions. For example, the inherent tension between the social change that development demands and the imperative of political stability required by authoritarian rule makes the current situation unsustainable in the long run.

TOKYO There is something odd and disturbing about the conventional wisdom surrounding the upcoming Third Plenum of the 18th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). As the November 9 12 conclave draws near, the international community s attention seems to be focused mainly on technocratic policy changes deemed essential to restructuring China s state dominated economy and reenergizing growth.

BEIJING History will be the ultimate judge, but there is good reason to believe that China s recently completed Third Plenum will come to be regarded as a pivotal moment in the country s development. At long last, China s senior leadership has endorsed a raft of reforms that could impel the economy s shift from reliance on exports to consumption led growth.

Each session would require 150 pages of in session and 150 pages of post session documentation in the six languages.

Dates of the thirty fourth session, the pre session working group for the thirty fifth session and the seventh session of the Working Group on Communications under the Optional Protocol

There would be no pre session or in session documentation requirements.

There would be no pre session or in session documentation requirements.

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Eleventh session

Ninth Session

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