Understanding Measures in the Resolution on Furthering Comprehensive Reform

First, the Resolution* emphasizes leveraging the leading role of economic reform

Furthering economic system reform remains the focus of efforts to further comprehensive reform. Presently and in the coming period, the main task of economic structural reform is to improve systems and mechanisms that facilitate high-quality development and foster new growth drivers and new strengths. 

It is necessary to focus firmly on key areas and critical links of economic structural reform. We must uphold and fulfill the commitments to the public and non-public sectors, build a unified national market, and refine the systems underpinning the market economy. We must also develop new quality productive forces in line with local conditions; deepen reform of the fiscal and taxation systems; enhance supporting systems to strengthen agriculture, benefit farmers, and enrich rural areas; and steadily expand institutional opening up. 

In light of China's current economic conditions, we need to combine deepening reforms of institutions and mechanisms with solving issues encountered in the course of development and the transformation of our growth model, promptly introduce feasible reform measures that suit present conditions, and use reforms to promote stable growth, make structural adjustments, and mitigate risks. 

Second, the Resolution emphasizes building institutions and mechanisms to support all-around innovation 

The general requirements are to coordinate advances in the integrated reform of systems and mechanisms related to education, science and technology (S&T), and human resources, in order to boost the overall performance of our country's innovation system. 

The key points for deepening education reform are to focus on higher education institutions as loci of education, S&T, and human resources, as well as use category-specific reforms in higher education institutions to refine the mechanisms for facilitating S&T innovation in universities, improve the efficiency of applications of S&T advances, and improve universities' capacity for S&T innovation. The key points for reforming S&T systems are to strengthen the coordination of allocations of national S&T resources, improve the management of S&T projects and spending, and boost the role of enterprises as leaders of S&T innovation. 

The key points for institutional reforms of talent development are to improve mechanisms for independently training talent, quickly build a contingent of personnel with expertise of strategic importance, and improve support mechanisms for recruiting talent from overseas. We need to strengthen coordination and links between these three areas of reform to create a positive environment for innovation.  

Third, the Resolution emphasizes advancing reforms in a comprehensive manner 

We need to be aware of the bigger picture and apply a systematic mode of thinking as we strive to achieve the main task of furthering comprehensive reform. We need to constantly improve the system of whole-process people's democracy, refine the system of China's socialist rule of law, and deepen reform in the cultural sector. We also need to refine the system for ensuring and improving people's wellbeing and further reform the system of ecological conservation. 

We must focus on wider objectives and key points, in order to solve common, grave issues affecting people in recent years, including issues with income distribution, employment, social security, medical and healthcare, population development, cyberspace governance, and environmental governance. In so doing, we will enhance people's sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security. 

Fourth, the Resolution emphasizes balancing development and security imperatives 

Presently, China's national security has more profound connotations and implications, has a broader spatial and temporal reach, and is more complex domestically and internationally than at any time in history. 

We must fully apply a holistic approach to national security. We need to focus on key reform measures related to modernizing China's national security system and capacity and strengthening the development of national defense and the military, as well as on coordinating national security reforms and reforms in various areas of economic and social development. We must emphasize preventing and mitigating security risks in key areas, such as local government debt, real estate, finance, industrial development, and foreign trade, in order to ensure that high-quality development and greater security are mutually reinforcing. 

Fifth, the Resolution emphasizes strengthening the Party's leadership over reform 

Efforts to further comprehensive reform touch upon all areas of economic and social development and a host of major theoretical and practical issues. We need to coordinate and plan all aspects, levels, and elements of reform; accurately assess situations; plan systematically; strive to overcome challenges; and pool strength from far and wide. All of this must be done under the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee. 

Our foremost principle must be to uphold the overall leadership of the Party. We need to strive to refine the mechanisms through which the decisions and plans of the Central Committee are implemented, further reform the management system for officials and personnel, and strengthen the political and organizational functions of Party organizations. We also need to improve mechanisms for ensuring that officials do not have the audacity, opportunity, or desire to be corrupt; maximize the Party's core role of exercising overall leadership and coordinating the efforts of all sides; and ensure that the whole Party is united in thought and has a steadfast will, coordinated action, and formidable strength.

*The Resolution refers to the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization.

Editor: Li Xiaoqiong