The Second Plenum of the 14th CPC Central Committee

The 14th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has held its Second Plenary Session in Beijing from March 5 to 7.

The session approved a proposal for readjusting certain goals of the Eighth Five-Year Plan (1991-95) and a plan for reforming the Party and government institutions.

According to a communique released on Februrary 7, the session was attended by 184 full members and 125 alternate members. It was presided over by the Political Bureau, and General Secretary Jiang Zemin delivered an important speech.

Having analyzed China's economic situation, the communique stressed that favorable domestic and international opportunities should be grasped to speed up reform, opening up and modernization during the 1990s.

The communique said it is both necessary and realistic to adjust certain goals set by the Eighth Five-Year Plan. These new goals can be achieved through the joint efforts of the Party and people.

The communique did not, however, specify the modifications to be made. But earlier Gan Ziyu, vice-minister of the State Planning Commission, indicated that economic growth rate in the 1990s could be as high as 8 or 9 percent, rather than the 6 percent specified in the Eighth Five-Year Plan two years ago.

The communique said economic development should be maintained and a faster speed of development achieved by improving quality and efficiency in economic affairs. It also stressed that varied growth rates should be allowed for different areas.

The communique said that reforming the Party and government institutions is an important aspect of political restructuring and socialist political development. It is also an important condition for deepening economic reform and accelerating the socialist modernization drive. The goal of these reforms is to better accommodate the needs of socialist market economy. This must be carried out without delay.

Reform measures include reducing staff, simplifying administration and raising efficiency. Since such reforms are directly related to economic development and social stability, it is necessary to strengthen the leadership, make an overall plan, organize it carefully and carry it out step by step, the communique said.

The communique pointed out that to ensure the smooth implementation of reforms, opening up and economic construction, it is necessary to firmly safeguard political stability and unity and strengthen ideological and political work.

According to the communique, the session approved a list of candidates for leadership in state institutions. The list will be recommended to the First Session of the Eighth National People's Congress, which is scheduled to open on March 15.

(NO. 11 MARCH 15, 1993)