20th CPC National Congress Held, Emphasizing "Security First" and "Chinese Modernization"

From October 16 to 22, 2022, the Communist Party of China (CPC) convened its 20th National Congress in Beijing. The Congress reviewed the work of the past five years, outlined a blueprint for the future, and elected a new central leadership group, charting the course for China's development in the new era.

The Communist Party of China held its quinquennial 20th National Congress. The congress elected a new leadership lineup, with Xi Jinping securing an unprecedented third term as General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee. The work report elevated "security" to a more prominent position than ever before, outlining the goal of "Chinese Modernization," emphasizing high-quality development and common prosperity. Regarding foreign relations, the report reiterated China's firm stance on the Taiwan issue and stressed the importance of safeguarding core national interests. The congress definitively set the political direction and development strategy for China for the next five years and beyond.

The conclusion of the congress was viewed internationally as a clear signal of political continuity and strategic stability in China. From a conservative perspective, the congress further confirmed China's highly centralized political system and indicated that the nation would increasingly focus on internal circulation, technological self-reliance, and prevention of external risks. Western nations broadly interpreted the communique as a sign that China would adopt a firmer stance in defending its core interests, thereby contributing to the prolonged and intensified nature of U.S.-China great power competition.