Party’s Control over the State: An Interpretation of the Keynote Political Report to the 18th Party Congress

Abstract

Hu Jintao’s political report to the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) shows that China, a particular type of party-state different from any kind of Western political system, is undergoing a tremendous and difficult transition. On one hand, the 18th National Congress of the CPC reinforced the party-state morphology, and, on the other, we notice that the Party’s state-building has actually developed to an unprecedented level. However, it is believed that the CPC is facing fateful challenges in governing the country. It is therefore extremely important to make adjustments in the political ideas, institutional arrangements and practical measures if the CPC wants to ensure a long-term success. In contrast to the overall political arrangements, specific procedures need to be implemented to achieve the goal of good governance of the CPC.