Looking back to look forward

China Daily journalists review the main stories of last year that offered a glimpse of things to come.

National People's Congress adopts amendment to the Constitution

On March 11, the National People's Congress, the nation's top legislative body, adopted a landmark amendment to the Constitution, when the third plenary meeting of the first session of the 13th NPC in Beijing enshrined Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into the fundamental law.

Supervisory commissions were listed as new State organs, while "the leadership of the Communist Party of China is the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics" was highlighted.

Commitment to the path of peace and development, mutual benefits, win-win cooperation, opening up and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind were also written into the Constitution.

On March 17, Xi was re-elected as president and chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China by a unanimous vote at a session of the 13th NPC, thus leading China's drive for modernization, better quality of life, prosperous development and reform in all areas with great political courage.

Nation boosts 'home-field diplomacy'

Last year, China intensified its "home-field diplomacy" by hosting four international conferences.

President Xi Jinping hosted the annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Qingdao Summit, the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and the first China International Import Expo. When he addressed the events, Xi reaffirmed China's resolve to continue deepening reform and expanding opening up, and to advance the building of a new type of international relations featuring win-win cooperation and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit in Beijing was the largest and most high-profile diplomatic event ever hosted by China, involving 40 presidents, 10 prime ministers, one vice-president and the chairman of the African Union Commission.