National People's Congress Chairman Qiao Shi has laid down his own vision of changes that should be introduced at the 15th Party Congress.
In an interview with the US news service Global Viewpoint, Mr Qiao vowed to carry on with economic and political reforms championed by Deng Xiaoping.
He quoted statements made by Deng during the patriarch's tour of southern China in 1992, which said even a socialist country could develop a market economy. 'A market economy is not capitalism because there are markets under socialism too,' Mr Qiao quoted Deng as saying.
On political reform, Mr Qiao advocated a form of people power with Chinese characteristics.
He said the will of the people should be given full expression through boosting the importance and functions of the legislative system.
'All power in the country belongs to the people,' said Mr Qiao.