Plenum focus on national security

China will set up a State security committee to improve systems and strategies to safeguard national security, according to the Communiqu and Decision of the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee. This should be seen as a milestone in China's modernization drive.

Deepening reform and opening-up have greatly improved the livelihoods of the Chinese people and made the Chinese economy the engine of global economic growth. But despite that, China is still in the primary stage of socialism and will remain so for some time to come. Even in the great cause of improving people's livelihoods and realizing social transformation, China still has much to accomplish.

Therefore, the questions commanding China's attention are: How to bridge the gap between the actual levels of national development and people's expectations; how to improve the level of governance and ensure order and stability in society; and how to pursue harmonious coexistence with the rest of the world.