At 9:00 a.m. on June 27, the 13th Beijing Municipal Congress of the Communist Party of China opened with the solemn national anthem. On behalf of the 12th Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, Cai Qi delivered a report to the 13th Beijing Municipal Congress of the Communist Party of China titled "Strive to Make New Advances in Beijing in Fully Building a Modern Socialist China under the Guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics For a New Era".

The 13th CPC Beijing Municipal Congress is an important one, held at a time as China has embarked on a new journey to turn itself into a modern socialist country in all aspects and all of the people in Beijing are working for the opening of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. The theme of the Congress is: Hold high the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, redouble efforts to promote the development of Beijing as the capital of the nation in the new era, and strive to lead the country in basically achieving socialist modernization.

The atmosphere in the conference hall of the Beijing Conference Center was solemn and warm. Above the rostrum hung the emblem of the Communist Party of China composed of a hammer and sickle, with five bright red flags standing on both sides of it.

Cai Qi, Liu Qi, Guo Jinlong, Chen Jining, Li Wei, Wei Xiaodong, Zhang Yankun, Cui Shuqiang, Qi Jing, Yin Yong, You Jun, Zhang Fandi, Sun Meijun, Chen Jian, Zhang Jiaming, Mo Gaoyi, Xia Linmao, and other members of the presidium of the Congress were seated at the rostrum. The Congress was presided over by Chen Jining.

Cai Qi pointed out in the report that the past decade since the 18th CPC National Congress is a period of landmark importance in Beijing's development. General Secretary Xi Jinping has inspected Beijing ten times and made important remarks concerning Beijing on 18 occasions on which he addressed the critical issue of "what China's capital should be like and how to build it". His instructions embody the fundamental principles guiding our work in Beijing in the new era. We have followed General Secretary Xi Jinping's instructions and forged ahead. We have given priority to developing Beijing as the national capital instead of just another city and stepped up the coordinated development of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei. Beijing's growth model, once a resource-intensive one, has been transformed to pursue development by relocating functions non-essential to Beijing's role as the capital. Governance of a super-large city has taken the place of past model of city management. Solid steps have been taken to build a people-oriented economy underpinned by green growth, innovation and high-quality development. Our great city has undergone profound transformation and embarked on a new journey of building a modern socialist capital in all respects.

Cai Qi pointed out that over the past five years, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the Beijing Municipal Party Committee has led the people of the city in fully implementing the guidelines of the 19th CPC National Congress, the plenary sessions of its 19th Central Committee and instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping on Beijing. We have strengthened Beijing's position as the four centers, improved our ability to deliver four services, accomplished the three key tasks, and fought to win the three tough battles. We have taken coordinated moves to promote reform, development and stability and improve people's lives. We have exercised full and strict self-discipline over Party organizations in the city. We have fulfilled the goals and tasks set in the 12th Beijing Municipal CPC Congress and become a national pacesetter in finishing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects. Substantial gains have been made in the city's overall performance and its international standing. As a result, new historical changes have taken place in Beijing. We have continuously strengthened Beijing's strategic role as China's capital, made greater headway in pursuing coordinated Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei development, taken solid steps to pursue high-quality development, steadily advanced socialist democracy and rule of law, significantly improved the eco-environment, met the expectations of our people by improving urban management, instilled greater momentum and vitality into Beijing's development, made our people more satisfied with their lives, maintained social harmony and stability in the capital, and continuously strengthened Party discipline. Over the past five years, we have prevailed over multiple waves of cluster cases, delivered quality services to a series of major events, including celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China and celebrations of the centenary of the Communist Party of China, and presented the world with an unparalleled Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in close cooperation with Zhangjiakou. We owe all our achievements, first and foremost, to the strong leadership and guidance of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. All this shows that the General Secretary's support and guidance are crucial to every step forward we have taken and the changes taking place in Beijing. With General Secretary Xi leading our way, we are filled with confidence and power to succeed in all our endeavors.

Cai Qi pointed out that we also owe our achievements in the past five years to the strong support from the central Party and government departments and institutions, other provinces, autonomous regions and provincial-level cities, and people from all sectors of society across the country. These achievements have also been made by all the people in Beijing through their hard work. In the past five years, with a keen sense of responsibility to the cause of the Party and the people, members in the Party organizations at all levels across the city have fulfilled their duties and missions. They have delivered a commendable performance by ensuring the success of a series of important celebrations and events. They have demonstrated their loyalty and commitment to the Party by resolving many difficult and urgent issues. They have stepped forward and risen to challenges at critical moments, displaying strong political commitment, pragmatic work conduct, and high morale. All this has fostered a lively atmosphere of unity, harmony and dedication.

Cai Qi pointed out that we have learned the following from the journey we have traversed in the past five years: we must bear in mind that Beijing is judged first and foremost by its political stance; we must keep in mind the strategic status of Beijing as China's capital and develop the city according to its role as the four centers that delivers four services; we must apply the new development philosophy to all areas throughout the capital's development; we must promote high-standard reform and opening-up; we must strive to meet people's expectations for a better life; we must act on the general principle of making progress while ensuring a steady performance; and we must see that the Party exercises effective self-supervision and strict self-discipline in every respect. The above valuable experience is of long-term relevance to us, and it should be enriched in practice.

Cai Qi pointed out that we have achieved the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and we are embarking on a new journey toward the second centenary goal of building a modern socialist country in all respects. General Secretary Xi Jinping is the core of the Party leadership who charts the course for us on this new journey. This leadership core is the choice of history and the Chinese people in response to the call of the times, and it underpins all our endeavors. Our work is guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, namely, Marxism of contemporary China and of the 21st century. It embodies all that is best in the Chinese culture and ethos in our times and charts the course for us to press ahead with conviction. All of us in Beijing should act with a stronger sense of purpose, stay committed to the Party's decision of establishing Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, resolutely uphold General Secretary Xi Jinping's core position in both the CPC Central Committee and the entire Party, and uphold the CPC Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership. We should translate Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into concrete actions here in Beijing and deliver solid outcomes to meet people's expectation for a better life.

Cai Qi emphasized that our work in Beijing is important to China's fundamental interests. We in Beijing should continue to spearhead efforts to attain the second centenary goal of basically realizing socialist modernization. We should see that Beijing truly deserves to be the capital city of a great socialist country in pursuit of national rejuvenation and a world-class metropolis that is harmonious and livable. Members in the Party organizations at all levels across the city should remain firm in their conviction, stay true to their original aspiration, and embark on the new journey with resolve. We will make every effort to live up to what is expected of our generation and make due contribution to realizing the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.

Cai Qi pointed out that the fundamental task facing us on the new journey is to boost Beijing's development in the new era. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, Beijing has entered a new era in pursuing development as China's capital. General Secretary Xi Jinping, by making important instructions on Beijing, has charted the course for us, which leads to a major shift in the city's development philosophy and answers the question of "what kind of capital should we build and how to build it", a major issue of our time. Beijing's development in the new era is ultimately about improving its functions as China's capital. It is about strengthening Beijing's role as the four centers, enhancing its capacity to deliver four services, better meeting the overall interests of the Party and the country, and our people's growing needs for a better life. It should be high-quality development, and it is ultimately about delivering a good life to our people. We should pursue the development of Beijing as the capital in the new era to a high standard. Promoting the capital's development is our overarching goal. We must make every effort in our work of the city to meet this goal.

Cai Qi stressed that the next five years will be a crucial period for Beijing to take the lead in the country in basically achieving socialist modernization. To fulfill this task, we must:

● Hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics;

● Abide by Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of "Three Represents" and Sound and Balanced Approach to Development;

● Follow Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era;

● Implement the guidelines set forth by the Party at its 19th and 20th National Congresses;

● Implement the guiding principles from major policy statements on Beijing made by General Secretary Xi Jinping;

● Implement the Party's decision to establish Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and to establish Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guiding principle, and heighten awareness of the need to maintain political commitment, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership;

● Boost confidence in the path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and uphold Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and uphold the Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership;

● Implement the five-pronged integrated plan;

● Advance the four-pronged strategy;

● Make progress and ensure stable performance, and implement the new development philosophy fully, and in both letter and spirit;

● Pursue Beijing's development as the nation's capital in the new era;

● Advance cultural, technological and green development in Beijing;

● Promote Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei coordinated development;

● Incorporate the Five Key Initiatives into the new development dynamics;

● Take solid steps toward high-quality development;

● Ensure both development and security and advance Beijing's reform, opening-up and other endeavors;

● Put in place a modernized governance system and strengthen governance capacity;

● Improve people's lives;

● Exercise full and strict self-discipline over Party organizations; and

● Make new advances in Beijing in fully building a modern socialist China.

Our development goals for the next five years are as follows:

● Further strengthen Beijing's strategic role as the four centers;

● Make new headway in building Beijing into a world-class cosmopolis that is harmonious and livable;

● Steadily advance Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei coordinated development;

● Further enhance Beijing's overall strength and competitiveness;

● Improve Beijing's overall living environment;

● Make new progress toward common prosperity; and

● Lay a solid foundation for Beijing to lead the country in basically achieving socialist modernization.

Cai Qi emphasized strengthening the functions of four centers of Beijing and improving its four services in keeping with its strategic position as China's capital. We will make every effort to provide services to our country's political center in Beijing and strictly implement the Development Control Plan for the Core Zone Serving Capital Functions to foster a safe and secure, efficient, and orderly environment of governance; take solid steps to build Beijing into China's cultural center, follow the core socialist values, and strive to be a national pacesetter of public civility; improve the facilities and capacity of Beijing as a center for international exchanges, strengthen logistic support for diplomatic events and major national events, and improve Beijing's international environment; and work faster to build Beijing into an international innovation center, boost national scientific and technological capabilities of strategic importance, leverage the role of the three science cities and one hi-tech area, and become a global science center and a pacesetter in innovation; and deliver quality four services.

Cai Qi emphasized embracing China's new development dynamics to pursue high-quality economic development. We will further strengthen and improve sectors of high-end, sophisticated and cutting-edge technologies, raise market recognition of Beijing's smart manufacturing products, make advanced planning to develop future oriented industries, and pursue integrated development of advanced manufacturing and modern services to cultivate more globally competitive business clusters, each with an annual output value of over one trillion yuan; develop the "two zones" to high standards, carry out pilot program of aligning domestic rules with rules of high-standard international free trade agreements, and run CIFTIS, the Zhongguancun Forum, and the Financial Street Forum well; build Beijing into a global pacesetter of digital economy, strengthen the role of digitization in empowering industries, the city and our daily lives, work faster to build new types of infrastructure, carry out the action plan for building Beijing into a smart city, and develop Beijing into a global leader in digital economy; create new demand through supply-side structural reform, speed up efforts to turn Beijing into a global consumption center, leverage investment's crucial role in upgrading supply-side structural improvement, and further advance urban renewal; deepen key reforms in the economy, improve the policy of "service packages" and "steward services" for companies, and foster a world-class business environment to further energize market entities; develop an open economy of higher standards, further liberalize and facilitate investment and trade, upgrade the airport economic zones, and build the Beijing Capital International Airport and the Beijing Daxing International Airport into world-class aviation hubs; promote all-round rural revitalization, build the High-Tech Farming Z-Park, develop modern urban agriculture, and build a beautiful countryside; and pursue more balanced development between urban and rural areas and among different parts of the city, foster high-quality development in southern Beijing, further develop western Beijing through economic transition and upgrading, increase the overall carrying capacity of new towns in the flatlands, and carry out ecological protection and pursue green development of the eco-zones.

Cai Qi emphasized advancing coordinated development between Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei through relocation of functions non-essential to Beijing's role as the capital. We will continue the special program of upgrading urban management, remain firm on the policy of relocation, continue to update the List of Prohibited and Restricted Investment, and use the vacated land in a coordinated manner; pursue high-standard development of the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and take solid steps to set up a national demonstration zone for green development and a demonstration zone for integrated high-quality development of both Tongzhou District and its three neighboring counties of Hebei Province; vigorously develop a modern metropolitan area for greater Beijing, strengthen Beijing's commuting connectivity with its adjacent areas, promote differentiated and coordinated development of Beijing, Tianjin and Xiong'an, Hebei by fully leveraging their respective strengths, and upgrade the business structure layout of key cities in the region to improve the supply chains; and fully tap the Olympic legacy, promote the spirit of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, ensure that the plans for post-Olympic use of the facilities and venues are followed through, advance the transformation of the new Shougang area, and see that motor vehicles yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks, a practice promoted during the Games, will be readily observed by the public.

Cai Qi emphasized acting on the people-centered development philosophy and ensuring and improving people's well-being at a higher level. We will keep improving public services, run education well to people's satisfaction, give more support to institutions of higher learning in Beijing that are on the two first class lists to build them into world-class universities and develop first-class disciplines, improve eldercare services, advance the Healthy Beijing initiative, open more affordable childcare centers, make the fitness-for-all program reach out to more people, and build a housing system featuring both housing rentals and purchases; take solid steps to achieve common prosperity, help university graduates, urban residents in difficulty and other priority groups find jobs, boost the income of rural people and low-income groups through multiple channels, gradually expand the middle-income group, improve the multi-level social security system, and make more efforts to promote east-west collaboration, paired-up assistance and cooperation among regions; spare no effort to conduct Covid-19 control on a regular basis, remain firm in implementing the swift Covid-19 clearance policy, see that local authorities, government bodies, employers and individuals all fulfill their respective responsibilities, take proactive steps, and build a strong shield against the virus; and deepen reform to ensure the performance of the mechanism of giving swift response to public complaints, take proactive measures to address complaints before they are raised, resolve the pressing concerns of the people, and create a model for super-large city governance based on this mechanism.

Cai Qi emphasized pursuing green development and improving the ecological environment. We will promote green, low-carbon and circular development, develop green economy, and encourage a simple, moderate, green and low-carbon way of life; conduct the "every microgram counts" initiative and step up water conservation to keep our skies blue, waters clear, and land pollution-free; strengthen conservation of mountain, river, forest, farmland, lake, grassland, and desert ecosystems in a well-coordinated way, continue to build Beijing into a national ecological conservation demonstration zone and a pacesetter for translating into practice the General Secretary's instructions on the importance of ecological conservation to economic development, raise the carbon absorption capacity of the ecosystems, and build Beijing into a city of biodiversity; see that the red line of ecological conservation is not crossed, tighten space control over areas designated for ecological conservation, those for limited development and those for efficient urban development as well as their dividing lines, and practice the strictest farmland protection possible; and improve the institutional framework of ecological conservation and tighten the inspection on ecological protection.

Cai Qi emphasized advancing socialist democracy and leading the country in practicing the rule of law. We will further advance the whole-process people's democracy and practice and improve the system of the people's congress and the system of CPC-led multiparty cooperation and political consultation; advance law-based governance of Beijing on all fronts, ensure that law enforcement is conducted in strict accordance with the law, and carry out the eighth five-year plan (2021-2025) for raising public awareness of the law; strengthen a broad united front and consolidate and develop the broadest possible patriotic united front; and consolidate and strengthen unity between the military and the government and between the military and the people, and fully support the modernization of national defense and armed forces.

Cai Qi emphasized developing a good understanding of how to govern a super-large city and continuously modernizing the governance of Beijing. We will further implement the Master Plan of Development for Beijing (2016-2035), improve Beijing's system of spatial planning for land use, practice strict control on the population size and construction scale, and vacate an appropriate amount of land for future development; upgrade the city's infrastructures such as water, electricity, natural gas, the heating network, and the rail transit; advance precision governance of Beijing, push ahead with the environmental improvement of backstreets and alleys, push forward solid waste sorting and property management, and create a convenient and pleasant environment for green travel; and strengthen the foundation for primary- and community-level governance, implement the Regulations on Sub-district Government Organizations, improve primary- and community-level governance, and push forward the innovative "Count-Me-In" volunteer service initiative in the Huilongguan and Tiantongyuan areas.

Cai Qi emphasized ensuring both development and security and resolutely safeguarding security and stability of Beijing. We should take a holistic approach to national security and give top priority to maintaining political security; better ensure safety and security in Beijing, continue to apply the "Fengqiao experience" and build on it in the new era, and ensure that accountability for workplace safety is rigorously implemented; forestall systemic risks and forestall and mitigate risks in the financial and other sectors in a well-ordered way; and make Beijing a more resilient city by making the lifeline infrastructure of the city better able to cope with emergencies.

Cai Qi emphasized strengthening Party leadership over work in all areas in Beijing and exercising full and strict self-discipline over Party organizations and members. We will ensure that the Party exercises overall leadership and coordinates the efforts of all stakeholders and ensure overall Party leadership in all aspects and areas of work in Beijing; take strengthening the Party as the overarching principle and continuously strengthen the capacity for political judgment, thinking, and implementation; intensify efforts to arm the Party members with the Party's thinking and theories, equip ourselves with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and translate it into practice to guide our work; follow clear-cut principles in selecting and appointing officials in the new era, with political commitment as the primary criterion, so as to produce a constant stream of dedicated, responsible and high-caliber officials with integrity; build a big pool of high-caliber talent and get more talents involved in Beijing's development; take solid steps to strengthen primary- and community-level Party organizations so that the Party's flag will fly high at every primary- and community-level Party organization; keep improving our work conduct, act in strict accordance with the central Party leadership's eight-point decision on conduct, keep working to overcome acts of favoring form over substance, bureaucracy, hedonism and extravagance, and maintain close ties with the people; see that officials are deterred from committing corruption, cannot afford to commit it and have no desire to commit it, increase supervision to ensure effective oversight over the heads of leadership teams and officials in leadership positions, suppress corruption that occurs on the people's doorsteps, and conduct regular activities to alert officials against misconduct; and see that Party leadership groups assume full responsibility of exercising strict Party discipline so that the head of a Party leadership team is in charge of strengthening the Party and other members of the team fulfill their respective responsibilities for strengthening the Party in areas of work they cover.

Cai Qi emphasized that advancing Beijing's development in the new era and leading China in basically realizing socialist modernization is a lofty cause, and that we need to build on past achievements and strive for new progress in advancing this cause. We should promote the founding spirit of the Party, bear in mind our mission, and forge ahead on this journey. We should forget ourselves when it comes to fame, but we should always have a sense of historical mission of contributing our due share to the success of our cause. We will forge ahead with resolve, pass the test, and score even greater victories on this new journey. We will stay true to the founding mission of the Party and always be at the service of the people. We will stand on their side, meet their expectations and work together with them. By doing so, we will create a mighty force that galvanizes all, and working together, we will deliver an even brighter future for the capital city of Beijing.

Cai Qi said that let us rally more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, hold high the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, remain true to our Party's founding mission, and forge ahead with solid steps. Let us make good preparations for the upcoming 20th CPC National Congress with concrete actions and work tirelessly to make new advances in Beijing in fully building a modern socialist China.

The 12th CPC Beijing Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection delivered a written report to the 13th Beijing Municipal CPC Congress.

Former Beijing Municipal leaders Chen Guangwen, Yu Junbo, Meng Xuenong, Cheng Shi'e, Yang Anjiang, and Du Deyin, attended the Congress as invited delegates. Wang Hong, Cheng Hong, Sima Hong, Pang Lijuan, Yan Aoshuang, Liu Zhongfan, Chen Jun, Li Yalan, Yan Ying, and Sun Qixin, who were representatives of other political parties, Beijing Federation of Industry and Commerce, and public figures without party affiliation, attended the Congress as special guests.

(Written by: Qi Mengzhu, Fan Junsheng, Photo by: Li Jihui, Dai Bing, Jia Tongjun)

(Photo Source: Beijing Daily)