The 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) kicked off?on Nov. 8?in Beijing.

The 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) opened Thursday morning in Beijing and Hu Jintao?delivered a report entitled "Firmly march on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and strive to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects."

Jiang Zemin, Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang and?He Guoqiang?were present at the opening ceremony of the congress, along with more than 2,300 delegates and specially invited delegates.

The congress is a very important meeting to be held at a critical time when China is building a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way, deepening reform and opening up, and accelerating the transformation of economic development pattern in difficult areas.

A new CPC Central Committee and a new Central Commission for Discipline Inspection will be elected at the congress.

The congress will review the Party's work over the past five years as well as what the Party has implemented since the 16th CPC National Congress.

The congress will thoroughly examine the current international and domestic situation and take into account of the new requirements for the country's development and new expectations from the people.

The congress will draw out the guidelines and policies that respond to the call of the times and fulfill the wishes of the people.

The congress will make strategic plans for the overall advancement of China's reform and opening up and socialist modernization drive, as well as for the overall advancement of Party building in the new era.

More than 2,200 delegates, elected from more than 82 million Party members across the nation attended the congress.