The Third Plenary Session: from the experts

Zhu Lijia, professor of public administration research at the Chinese Academy of Governance

Q: What sectors would experience massive reform after the third plenum and why?

A: The authorities are going to put forward reform guidelines, rather than concrete measures, during the session. Just as President Xi Jinping put it many times previously, the reform guidelines would be comprehensive and deepened.

The reform will not only aim to boost economic growth, but also restructure political and social relations.

Along with the economic development, lots of conflicts caused by interest distribution have appeared, which requires the ruling Party to improve the current economic, political and social relations.

Most of the current policies, especially the reform and opening-up policies made in 1978 at the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee, will be kept consistent.

Q: What kind of measures will be taken in political and administration reform?

A: The government will continue to transform its function to provide better services to the public and the market.

The government has to increase its capability by setting up a mechanism to appraise the work of the public sector.

Whether the fruits of economic development could benefit the people is the key question to reform.

All the people, no matter whether they are from rural or urban areas, should enjoy equal rights in basic social services, including pensions, healthcare and education.

Q: What would be the biggest challenges and risks for carrying out reforms?

A: The reform will definitely face challenges from interest groups who have already enjoyed much privilege under the current political system, because the reform will constrain their interests.

Social conflicts that have frequently challenged local governments are also likely to pose threats to the reform process, because the governments tend to take conservative measures to cope with emergencies.