"Asia News Weekly," Beijing, Oct. 17 (Reported by Chief Correspondents Wang Chiyun, Wang Pu, Liu Heping, and Tan Guoqi in Beijing)According to *Asia News Weekly*, citing Xinhua News Agency (online): On the afternoon of October 17, 2017, the first press conference of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China was held with great fanfare at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. *Asia News Weekly* has released a “condensed version” to give you a 60-second overview of the key highlights from the press conference.

The Spokesperson for the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China Held a Press Conference on October 17, 2017

  Tou Zhen, Spokesperson for the 19th National Congress:

  The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China will open tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and will run from October 18 to October 24.

  The main agenda items of the Congress are: to hear and review the report of the 18th Central Committee; to review the work report of the 18th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection; to deliberate on and adopt the “Constitution of the Communist Party of China (Amended)”; to elect the 19th Central Committee; and to elect the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

  All preparations for the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China are now complete: First, the drafting of the report for the 19th National Congress. A report drafting group has been established, with General Secretary Xi Jinping serving as its head. The drafting process fully took into account opinions and suggestions from all sectors both within and outside the Party, with input solicited from more than 4,700 people.

  Second, the work on amending the Party Constitution.

  Third, the election of delegates to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. Following a review by the Qualification Review Committee for Delegates to the 19th National Congress, the qualifications of 2,280 delegates were confirmed as valid.

  Fourth, preparations for the election of the new Central Committee and the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Following the conclusion of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the First Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee and the First Plenary Session of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection will be convened to elect the new leadership of the Central Committee and the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. After the First Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee concludes, the new members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau will hold a press conference with domestic and international journalists.

On October 17, 2017, Tuo Zhen, spokesperson for the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, provided an update on preparations for the Congress and answered questions from reporters.

  People’s Daily Reporter: Will the 19th National Congress make new arrangements regarding the next steps in comprehensively deepening reform?

  Tou Zhen: Reform is an ongoing process; it is never complete. The direction of China’s reform has been clearly defined and will not waver; the pace of China’s reform is moving steadily forward and will not slow down.

  EFE Reporter: Recently, China’s major trading partners, including the United States and the European Union, have expressed their hope that China’s economy will become more open. Will this issue be discussed at the 19th National Congress? How will the outcomes of the 19th National Congress be announced?

  Tou Zhen: Opening up to the outside world is a fundamental national policy of China, and China’s commitment to opening up to the world in all respects is clear. China’s reform and opening-up is now at a new starting point.

  Following the conclusion of the 19th National Congress, the resolutions adopted by the Congress will be promptly announced, along with the lists of members and alternate members of the 19th Central Committee and the members of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Following the conclusion of the First Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee and the First Plenary Session of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the communiqués of the plenary sessions will be promptly released, and the biographies and photographs of the members of the 19th Central Leadership will be made public.

  Bloomberg News Reporter: Which is the higher priority—China’s economic growth or deleveraging?

  Tou Zhen: We must not view deleveraging and stabilizing economic growth as mutually exclusive. At present, deleveraging has achieved initial results without causing any significant contractionary effects on the economy.

  Xinhua News Agency Reporter: Will it be possible to lift the entire population out of poverty by the target date? How can we effectively prevent “paper poverty alleviation” and “fake poverty alleviation”?

  Tou Zhen: “Lifting all rural residents living below the current poverty line out of poverty by 2020 is a solemn commitment made by our Party; it is a non-negotiable task that must be accomplished, and there is no turning back.”

  We must adhere to the principle of “practicality.”

  Reporter from Hong Kong’s TVB: Regarding political system reform, did the 19th National Congress announce any major measures in response?

  Tou Zhen: Political system reform is an integral part of comprehensively deepening reform. The Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Party laid out plans for comprehensively deepening reform, including more than 60 reform tasks related to the political system.

  Political reform is not something that can be achieved overnight, and China will not simply copy the models of other countries.

  Based on a systematic summary of past reform achievements and experiences, the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China will make comprehensive plans for political and other institutional reforms, addressing various issues that have arisen in practice and those that remain to be resolved.

  Reporter from Singapore’s Lianhe Zaobao: What will be the ratio of vacancies in the elections for members and alternate members of the Central Committee, as well as members of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, at this 19th National Congress? Will there be any changes to the number of members of the Political Bureau and the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the 19th Central Committee?

  Tou Zhen: The specific ratio of the margin and the election procedures will be stipulated in the election rules to be adopted by a vote of the Presidium of the Congress.

  The election results will be announced in a timely manner.

  CCTV Reporter: Some speculate that the intensity of the anti-corruption campaign will ease after the 19th National Congress. What is the spokesperson’s view on this claim?

  Tou Zhen: The comprehensive and strict governance of the Party is an ongoing process. We will push forward with greater determination, greater courage, and greater effort to deepen the comprehensive and strict governance of the Party.

  China News Service Reporter: We have noticed that quite a few officials who have been removed from office engaged in illegal and disciplinary violations over long periods while holding various positions. How can we further prevent this phenomenon by improving the mechanisms for selecting and appointing personnel?

  Tou Zhen: The issue you’ve raised is one we’re currently working hard to address. We’re strictly vetting candidates on their political stance, character, work ethic, and integrity, and we’re resolutely barring officials with “issues” from taking office.

  Kazinform Reporter: There have been some doubts raised regarding the objectives and implementation pathways of the “Belt and Road” initiative—for example, that China is using the initiative to offload excess production capacity. How would you respond to that?

  Tou Zhen: China advocates international capacity cooperation with the aim of leveraging the comparative advantages of various countries, meeting their respective development needs, and building a more balanced and inclusive global industrial chain—not to shift outdated production capacity.

  Reporter from *Il Sole 24 Ore*: How will the “Made in China 2025” policy affect foreign companies?

  Tou Zhen: “Made in China 2025” and its related policy measures apply equally to all enterprises operating within China, treating domestic and foreign-invested enterprises on an equal footing.

  A prominent issue currently facing our international cooperation is that many developed countries have imposed export embargoes or strict restrictions on the export of certain equipment and products to China. We hope that, moving forward, all parties will further expand openness and deepen cooperation.

Hu Xiaohan, moderator of the press conference for the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and director of the Congress Press Center, presided over the press conference.