The decision was made at a Politburo meeting reviewing its work since the plenary session a year ago, Xinhua reported, citing the general office of the party's Central Committee.

Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Central Committee, presided over the Politburo meeting, Xinhua reported.

The plenum is scheduled to approve a draft of the nation's 12th Five-Year Programme - the only item on the agenda, according to the official announcement.

The drafting of China's Five-Year Programme for National Economic and Social Development, as it is now formally known, usually begins more than two years ahead of its delivery. The current five-year plan ends this year and a draft of the next one - which will map out the mainland's economic and social development from 2011 to 2015 - will be considered by the Central Committee members.

Members at the Politburo meeting discussed proposals for the plan and agreed to submit it to the plenum for final approval, Xinhua said.

In a separate report, Xinhua said the new five-year plan would focus on 'speeding up the shift of development model'. It said that 'reform and innovation' will be highlighted.

The plenum will also confirm the long-anticipated promotion of Vice-President Xi to become a vice-chairman of the party's Central Military Commission.

If confirmed, Xi will also automatically assume the same position in the government's CMC at the National People's Congress plenary session in March. Both are organs that oversee the People's Liberation Army. Analysts said the confirmation will pave the way for Xi to succeed Hu as chief of the ruling party in autumn 2012 and as president in the spring of 2013.

Holding a military post is not a prerequisite for becoming head of the party and the state, but the promotion would help clarify uncertainty over leadership succession, analysts said.