On July 31, 2019, the fifth session of the China Economic and Social Council (CESC) held its first meeting in Beijing. The newly revised “CESC Bylaws” was reviewed and approved, and the leadership team, executive directors and directors of the fifth session of CESC were elected. Zhang Qingli, Vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC National Committee), was appointed as the President of the CESC. Peng Xuefeng, head of Dentons China Region and Dentons Global Board Chair, was elected as a director.

Under the leadership of the CPPCC National Committee, CESC is a national organization engaged in comprehensive research on economic and social issues. It is a full member of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar (commonly known as AICESIS) and sits on the Board of Directors of the AICESIS. Its purposes include uniting the economic and social circles to provide research, consultation and services for the coordinated social and economic development and in building a harmonious society, and actively participating in the activities of the AICESIS to strengthen exchange and cooperation with the member organizations and economic and social research institutes so as to enhance mutual understanding, consolidate bilateral ties and promote common development.

President Zhang emphasized that the new session should always adhere to the correct political direction; maintain political integrity, think in terms of the big picture, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership (the “four consciousnesses”); have full confidence in the path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics (the “four matters of confidence”); firmly uphold the Central Committee’s authority and centralized, unified leadership, and General Secretary Xi Jinping’s core position in the Party Central Committee and in the entire party; and closely align themselves with the Central Committee with Xi Jinping at the core in the aspects of ideology, politics and actions. The CESC needs to follow the leadership of the party committee of the CPPCC National Committee, perform their duties in accordance with the core tasks of the Party and the State, deepen and implement foreign exchange work in line with the overall plan of the country’s foreign affairs work, and serve as a new high-end think tank to provide consultation to the Party and the government on their decision-making and to push forward the work of the committee.