It is not easy for laypeople to fully understand the report to the ongoing 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). However, a sentence in the report delivered by General Secretary of the CPC Hu Jintao, left quite an impression. "Throughout the past 30-plus years of continuous exploration of reform and opening-up, we have held high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics and rejected both the old and rigid closed-door policy and any attempt to abandon socialism and take an erroneous path."

The literal meaning of the sentence is very clear, yet it implies deeper connotations. With the progress of social diversity, there is more debate over the development path of our country. This report from the congress is an authoritative answer to these debates. It can be viewed as a declaration by the CPC.

We can always hear that China is at a political crossroads. This argument is quite appealing. However, it does not coincide with China's current reality. As early as the Deng Xiaoping era when China chose to carry out socialism with Chinese characteristics, China passed its "crossroads." Modern China is on its way toward further reform. We need firm belief to keep going on.

If we simply search Weibo, we may get the false impression that China's development path may change. Such opinions seem to be popular, with some requesting that China go back to the time before the reform and opening-up, while others advocate the country adopt Western models. They have spread confusion.

The congress report provides the very direction for China's political path. When the direction is too clear to accommodate any speculation, other distractions will lose their potency and public opinion will be more realistic.

Progressing socialism with Chinese characteristics does not mean halting reforms. Actually, this is the result of keeping reforms in mind and rejecting closed-door policies.

A small number of people would like to see China return to the pre-reform days, and others want to separate reform from the socialist path with Chinese characteristics. They try to put the two ideas in opposition. The "reform" in their message has hidden meaning, including the intention of changing the country's political system.

We have different views, including extreme ones, and all deserve their place in China. But we must have a firm consensus when it comes to the national path. Socialism with Chinese characteristics is not an official slogan. It is a long-term political path Chinese people finally took after they paid a huge price. It has brought us prosperity and hope. We must cherish and protect it.

General Secretary Hu touched on many issues facing the country in yesterday's report, from fighting corruption to social justice, improving public welfare and enhancing the ecological environment. On the corruption issue, he said, "If we fail to handle this issue well, it could prove fatal to the Party, and even cause the collapse of the Party and the fall of the state." Further reform is needed to tackle these problems.

Firmness and conviction are crucial for China's future development. We need timely adjustments based on realistic conditions. This is, however, different from questioning the road itself. China is a super-sized society. We will be bound to meet tough issues and unexpected challenges that test our judgment and faith. The CPC has given the firm answer in the 18th Party Congress report. It will also be an answer all of society must agree upon.

No old path, no foreign models

Recovery means economic policies will stay the course

Key quotes from Hu Jintao's report to CPC national congress

18th CPC National Congress invites record number of journalists

Hu vows to boost domestic demand, deepen economic reform

China strives to enhance medical security for the elderly

China to speed up full military IT application: Hu

Rural areas to enjoy high priority in infrastructure development: Hu

Hu demands faithful implementation of "one country, two systems"

China to follow path of socialism with Chinese characteristics

Ecological progress incorporated into China's overall development plan

Hu outlines "overall approach" for China's modernization drive

Hu Jintao delivers report to 18th CPC National Congress

Hu says China will not copy Western system in political reform

Hu suggests military security trust mechanism, peace agreement with Taiwan

CPC pledges unremitting efforts to combat corruption

Hu says CPC must strengthen governance capacity

Hu says China committed to peaceful development

CPC proposes to build "beautiful" China

Hu calls for efforts to build China into maritime power

Hu says China to institute multi-tiered social security system

Hu calls for efforts to enhance social ethics

China to raise proportion of community-level deputies to people's congresses

Hu says China must continue reform of political structure

Hu says China to complete building of a moderately prosperous society by 2020

Hu stresses improving socialist market economy, change of growth model

Hu says China firmly follows socialism with Chinese character

China achieves new historic successes over past decade: Hu

Scientific Outlook on Development becomes CPC's theoretical guidance

Hu outlines "overall approach" for China's modernization drive

Photos:

CPC opens 18th National Congress

11th Panchen Lama attends opening ceremony of 18th CPC National Congress

Delegates of CPC congress arrive at Great Hall of the People

Journalists cover opening ceremony of 18th CPC National Congress

During the opening ceremony of the 18th CPC National Congress, attendants were requested to stand in silent tribute to late veteran revolutionaries and martyrs, including Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Liu Shaoqi, Zhu De, Deng Xiaoping and Chen Yun. (Source: CNTV.com)