Countdown to China’s Communist Party congress enters final stages with release of delegate list
- More than 2,000 people to attend pivotal political event to start on October 16
- List contains few surprises, a message to the country and the world that the leadership transition is under control, analyst says
Preparations for the Chinese Communist Party’s national congress next month are in their final stages, with the release of the names of more than 2,000 delegates to the event.
“Each electoral unit across the country convened a party congress or party representative meeting and elected 2,296 delegates to the 20th party congress,” state broadcaster CCTV said on Sunday.
There are also other signs that preparations are gathering pace – Beijing is tightening its security and Covid-19 control measures, and Tiananmen Square and the capital’s main thoroughfare have been decorated with big flower arrangements and huge banners that read, “We joyfully welcome the 20th party congress”.
State-run Xinhua news agency said the selection of delegates was guided by “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era”, the political philosophy of the president that is enshrined in the state’s constitution and party charter.
Xi has “personally deployed” the selection of the delegates and has heard multiple reports on the progress, a spokesperson with the Central Organisation Department, the party’s organ to oversee cadre selection, told Xinhua on Monday.