Plenum history in the making

The Third Plenary Session of the 18th Communist Party of China's Central Committee will be held in November, as announced by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Aug 27.

By definition, plenary sessions (also known as plenums) of any conference of any duration are of cardinal importance because all members of the organization who have the right to attend are required to be present at all sessions so that key operating and other important decisions could be made. For China's "reform and opening-up" to keep running smoothly, it is important that members of the 18th CPC Central Committee establish a new strategic direction at the Third Plenary Session.

The CPC Central Committee, the highest authority within the CPC, is elected every five years by the CPC National Congress. To discharge its duties the Central Committee conducts a specified number of plenary sessions during its five-year tenure. By tradition, the first two sessions are devoted to the selection of key Party and State leadership. It is at the third session that the indispensable strategy to guide the CPC and the State for the next five to 10 years is made.