Chinese President, and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Xi Jinping opened a historic meeting in Beijing on Wednesday (Oct. 18) watched by a global audience, with a surprisingly long 3 hour and 23 minute work report that marked a “new era” in Chinese politics.

Speaking in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, at the start of the week-long 19th party congress to more than 2,200 delegates, the 203 minutes talkathon essentially outlined China’s policy direction in all major fields.

The speech signalled that Xi would strengthen the influence of the Communist Party in China over the next five years, and listeners of his speech were left in no doubt of his confidence and ambition: To make China the world’s most important country.

A mix of party slogans, Marxist jargon, subtle signalling and long to-do lists, the tortuously long speech contained many points that may have been lost on the audience. We bring you five takeaways and their contexts:

1. China enters a new era to create a "great modern socialist country"

In his report titled "Secure a Decisive Victory in Building a Moderately Prosperous Society in All Respects and Strive for the Great Success of Socialism With Chinese Characteristics for a New Era" (yes, the title is that long), an ambitious Xi unveiled a two-stage plan to transform China into a “great modern socialist country” by mid-century.

Under the plan, China will become a "moderately prosperous" society by 2020 and achieve socialist modernisation by 2035.

And by 2050, China is envisioned to become a modern socialist power that is “prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful”.

“The Chinese nation … has stood up, grown rich, and become strong – and it now embraces the brilliant prospects of rejuvenation … It will be an era that sees China moving closer to centre stage and making greater contributions to mankind.”

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2. China wants to rise on the global stage

Throughout his speech, Xi who devoted significant time to defining China’s place in the world, described the country as a “great power” or a “strong power”, a clear departure from the days when Chinese leaders depicted their country as a poor, modest player abroad.

By 2050, Xi said, China will become "a global leader in terms of comprehensive national strength and international influence" but “China opposes imposing its own will to others, opposes interference in the internal affairs of other countries, and opposes the strong nations bullying the weak."

"China will never advance itself at the expense of the interests of other nations, but we will never give up our lawful rights. No one could expect us to swallow consequences that damage our sovereignty, security and developmental interests."

3. China's political system is an alternative model to the world

Xi was unambiguous in declaring that China stood at “new historical juncture,” and would pursue its own path of developing “socialism with Chinese characteristics”.

He highlighted that his country had developed its economy without imitating Western values.

The unique Chinese model was “blazing a new trail for other developing countries to achieve modernisation”, and the Chinese path of the development can be adapted appropriately by developing countries.

“It offers a new option for other countries and nations who want to speed up their development while preserving their independence.”

4. China wants to build a world-class military

Xi said China has made a “historical breakthrough” in national defence and military reform. He hinted at more changes in the coming five years, including greater professionalization of officers and more innovation in weaponry.

He said China's military would be first class in every way by mid-century but did not give details.

“We must build a powerful and modernised army, navy, air force, rocket force, and strategic support force; develop strong and efficient joint operations commanding institutions for theatre commands; and create a modern combat system with distinctive Chinese characteristics.”

5. China will widen its 'open door' policy for foreign businesses

Xi pledged in his speech that as China develops, it would continue to open up, grant greater market access to foreign investors, make state-owned enterprises bigger and stronger, deepen financial reforms and fend off systemic financial risks.

Amid louder complaints about Beijing's protectionism, he also said China would significantly lower the threshold for entrance to China’s markets, protect the legal interests of foreign businesses in China, and treat locally registered companies in an equal and fair way.

"China’s economy has been transitioning from a phase of rapid growth to a stage of high-quality development."

"We will move Chinese industries up to the medium-high end of the global value chain, and foster a number of world-class advanced manufacturing clusters."

"Openness brings progress for ourselves, seclusion leaves one behind. China will not close its doors to the world, we will only become more and more open."

Top photo from Getty Images.

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