10月21日闭幕的中国共产党第十七次全国代表大会可谓举世曙目。大会为中国今后的发展定下了目标和方向。它是在中国改革发展关键阶段召开的一次十分重要的大会。

在经历了２９年的改革开放、经济快速增长后，在取得世人关注的成绩同时，中国在发展中伴生出的问题也充分表露出其复杂性和解决的难度。中国的改革开放到了一个紧要关头。因此，解决问题，明确发展方向、制定发展办法，是这次大会的重要内容和历史性任务。

此次大会的一个重要议程就是审议通过了中共中央总书记胡锦涛代表上届中央委员会所作的报告。报告题为《高举中国特色社会主义伟大旗帜，为夺取全面建设小康社会新胜利而奋斗》，回答了作为执政党的中国共产党在改革发展关键阶段举什么旗、走什么路、以什么样的精神状态、朝着什么样的发展目标继续前进等重大问题，对继续推进改革开放和社会主义现代化建设、实现全面建设小康社会的宏伟目标作出了全面部署，舆论一致认为，报告描绘了中国改革发展的宏伟蓝图，是中国共产党人面向世界，面向未来的政治宣言。

报告中有很多新提法、新概括、新认识、新理念，系统地反映了中国共产党发展马克思主义的最新成果，反映了中国共产党探索中国特色社会主义道路的最新经验，反映了中国共产党面对新形势、新局面的最新思考。例如，报告第一次提出改革开放是决定当代中国命运的关键抉择。充分肯定了改革开放的历史地位和作用，为进一步澄清人们的思想认识和推进改革开放奠定了思想理论基础。

报告还首次提出中国特色社会主义理论体系，即包括邓小平理论、“三个代表”重要思想以及科学发展观等重大战略思想在内的科学理论体系，以及它与马克思列宁主义、毛泽东思想既一脉相承又与时俱进的关系，充分体现了中国共产党的理论更加成熟。报告还第一次提出加快推进以改善民生为重点的社会建设。进一步强化了社会主义的本质和奋斗目标。并第一次提出人民民主是社会主义的生命。进一步阐明了社会主义的本质特征，指明了社会主义民主政治的发展方向。

作为十七大一项重要议程，《中国共产党章程（修正案）》由38个代表团分组审议后顺利获得大会表决通过。科学发展观、中国特色社会主义道路和中国特色社会主义理论体系等最新成果被新增入党章。其中党章增写了经济建设、政治建设、文化建设、社会建设四位一体的中国特色社会主义事业总体布局的内容；把党的基本路线中的奋斗目标表述为“把我国建设成为富强、民主、文明、和谐的社会主义现代化国家”。这是中国共产党成立以来第15次修改党章。

新产生的中共十七届中央政治局常委集体亮相，吸引了全世界的目光。新进入中央领导集体的成员，有三个显著特点：第一，他们都是在改革开放的实践中成长起来的年轻政治家；第二，他们都是密切联系群众的优秀领导者；第三，他们都是年轻化、专业化的知识型干部，尤以具有经济专家背景的人居多。一批年轻力壮、有知识、有经验、有能力的干部进入新一届中央领导层，为落实国家发展的宏伟蓝图提供了可靠的组织保证。

The 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), which concluded on October 21, undoubtedly marks a milestone in the history of the CPC, and had the international community listening closely to the resolutions proposed during the session. By mapping out a blueprint of China's future development for the next five years and more, the meeting is widely considered a major event at this crucial time in China's ongoing reform and opening up process.

Since the reform and opening-up drive began 29 years ago, Chinese society has undergone profound changes. However, new social challenges have emerged amid swift economic restructuring and speedy growth. In this pivotal period of further building on the foundations laid by their predecessors, the job of devising solutions to social problems has been historically dealt with at the Party Congress.

The report of the 16th CPC Central Committee, delivered by General Secretary Hu Jintao, contains overall arrangements for advancing reform, opening up and socialist modernization and attaining the ambitious goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects. It also has definite requirements for comprehensively carrying forward the great new undertaking to build the Party in a spirit of reform and innovation.

New proposals, notions, recognitions, and concepts that have been put forward in the report display the Party's latest developments of Marxism, its successful experiences in exploring the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, as well as its new strategic thoughts to cope with the changed social situation in the new era. For the first time in the CPC's 86-year history, the report affirms that the decision to launch reform and opening up is vital to the destiny of China. The affirmations of fundamental achievements and progress, which have been made since the reform and opening-up policy was introduced, has established a solid theory foundation for further reforms.

The system of theories of socialism with Chinese characteristics, which comprises of scientific theories including Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development, are first mentioned in the report. It is a scientific theoretical system in line with Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought, but keeps up with the times.

After earnest deliberation by the 38 delegate groups, the 17th National Congress of the CPC unanimously adopted the amended Constitution of the CPC. The Scientific Outlook on Development and theories of socialism with Chinese characteristics were newly incorporated into the Constitution. Meanwhile, the Congress approved the incorporation of the overall arrangements for the four-in-one economic, political, cultural and social development of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Along with this, the main objective in the Constitution was redefined as turning China into a prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious modern socialist country.

The new central leadership of the CPC installed by the latest Party Congress is characterized by practical experience and their close ties with the people. Additionally, the depth of knowledge, especially the added expertise in economics, enables this group to play a stronger role in leading the Chinese people toward the country's future development and the rejuvenation of this great nation.