The Communist Party of China (CPC) will convene its 18th national congress in the second half of 2012 in Beijing, the CPC Central Committee announced after concluding a plenum on October 18.

The plenum approved a decision to deepen the reform of China's cultural system and promote the development of cultural industries.

The country will work to improve Chinese citizens' sense of identity and confidence in Chinese culture, according to a statement issued after the plenum. It also said the government will devote more resources to boosting public cultural services.