Every leadership had its own challenges. But the new leadership is elected at a time when China is enjoying unprecedented global influence and increasing international status, a time that China is more involved in international affairs and shouldering more international responsibilities. Former experience will not be applicable to tackle new problems. The world is getting more complicated, more diverse, and more mercurial, and so the new leaders are faced with unprecedented tests.

Some problems are new, some are old and some are caused by our limited experience, resources and capability. We may not resolve all of these at once, but I am confident that with the Party's tenets, our new experience and the people's efforts, we will resolve them gradually and move forward toward our set goals.

What will be the main topics at the 18th CPC National Congress?

I think the economic growth model, shifting the structure of the economy and problems related to people's lives will be the focus at the congress.

But in my opinion, as it is a Party congress, the most important thing is the sound development of the Party itself—how to ensure the Party adheres to its tenets and principles, maintains its purity and integrity, manages its members, meets the demand and expectations of the people and deals with problems and challenges that the Party is facing.

The Party Constitution will be partly revised at this congress. What is the significance of this revision?

It is of great significance. It's a characteristic of the CPC the Party revises its Constitution in order to include the latest theories and governing experiences into the Constitution. The revision will reflect the new reality and new problems that the Party faces and the policy to address them. It is also a reflection of the consistent evolution of Party theories.

The Party's experience in combating corruption will also be included.

In my view, revisions will further improve and enrich the guidelines of the Party and more accurately reflect theory development and the achievements of the Party.

The development of cultural programs and reforms of the cultural sector were set as one of the key areas of future development at previous Party meetings. Why does the Party attach such importance to this sector? Will the development of this sector speed up after the congress?

Although cultural programs and the cultural industry in China have seen robust development in past years, they still have not met the people's demands and kept up with the level of the country's economic development.

The Sixth Plenary Session of the CPC's 17th Central Committee set new targets for the development of cultural programs. I believe that the 18th national congress will continue in that direction. I'm confident that the 18th national congress will further boost the development of cultural programs and enhance Chinese culture itself.

The congress will also serve as a driving force to build up the country's soft power and cultural prosperity. In my opinion, culture will play a more positive role in the entire development of the country. Advanced culture will play an especially important role in the construction of ethics and values. Thus, pushing forward the development of cultural programs and deepening the reforms of the administrative system of the cultural sector is not only a duty of the ruling Party, but is vital to the establishment of a nation's value system. Passing on fine culture is essential in maintaining the everlasting vitality of a nation. The development of cultural programs will play a substantial role in helping pass down our own culture and communicate with other cultures and civilizations.

With China further integrated into the international community, cross-cultural communication has become increasingly important. What is an effective way to strengthen exchanges and communication between China and the rest of the world?

In my opinion, although every culture has its own uniqueness, we should not isolate Chinese culture from others. To have our culture be appreciated and enjoyed by others, we must first understand other cultures better and understand the place of Chinese culture in the evolution of world culture.

Better communication is based on common points between two cultures, which is the basis of mutual appreciation. Only after our culture resonates with others can it be appreciated. The value of a culture is embodied in mutual exchanges.

Currently, we don't know others very well. It's normal since we just opened up to the outside world three decades ago. We need to understand others better and at the same time help others know us better.

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