The Eighth National Congress of the CPC

The Eighth National Congress of the CPC——中共八大

The Eighth National Congress of the CPC was held on September15-27, 1956 in Beijing. It was the first CPC National Congress after the founding of the PRC.

Mao Zedong gave the opening address. Liu Shaoqi delivered a political report on behalf of the Central Committee. Zhou Enlai delivered a report on the proposals of the Second Five-Year Plan (1958-1962) for the development of the national economy Deng Xiaoping delivered a report on the revision of the CPC Constitution. Zhu De, Chen Yun and one hundred other delegates delivered speeches or reports. Representatives of all non-CPC parties and prominent figures without party affiliation in China, and delegations of the communist or workers' parties from over 50 countries were invited to attend.

Through a proper analysis of the changes of domestic and overseas situation and the internal problems, the congress concluded that, as the socialist transformation was basically completed, the principal problems now facing the country were the need to build an advanced industrial nation amidst the realities of a backward agricultural country, and the need for rapid economic and cultural development which was falling short of the people's requirements. The chief task confronting the Party and the entire nation was to concentrate all efforts on solving these problems as soon as possible.

The congress determined a series of policies regarding political, economic, cultural and diplomatic issues, and proposed the issue of strengthening the Party. It also adopted the Constitution of the Communist Party of China and the Resolution on the Political Report. The congress selected a new Central Committee composed of 97 members and 73 alternate members. At the First Plenary Session of the Eighth CPC Central Committee held afterwards, the new Political Bureau of the Central Committee was elected, with Mao Zedong as chairman of the Central Committee, Liu Shaoqi, Zhou Bnlai, Zhu De and Chen Yun as vice chairmen, and Deng Xiaoping as general secretary. These six people were also elected to form the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee. A Central Supervisory Committee composed of 17 members and 4 alternate members was also elected,

The congress announced the completion of socialist revolution and the establishment of socialism in China, and outlined the fundamental tasks for the Party. It concentrated on the road of building socialism, and had a profound historical impact in guiding the development of the Party and of socialism.