The 18th Party congress concluded yesterday after it elected the new CPC Central Committee and Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. The first plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee will elect today its Political Bureau and its Standing Committee members.  This is a matter of concern to the fate of China in the next five or 10 years. The success of the congress is gratifying and worthy of congratulations.

The new leadership is taking over a stronger China but facing more complicated challenges. Constant rising has brought China to a position that both all nations throughout history and international politics are unfamiliar with. How to manage the country's affairs is an unprecedented, highly difficult test.

Public opinion has repeatedly focused on China's domestic and foreign affairs. Issues may be solved under a normal environment with less fuss, but in China, the environment to solve the problems is changing too rapidly.

Globalization has brought about intensive interaction between China's domestic issues and the international environment. The new leadership must consider both the domestic and international situations. The major task for China to consider is how to minimize Western influence on the country's social solidarity and confidence in the long run.

However, in the next five to 10 years, China also has some strong advantages. Its initiative to deal with challenges is increasing. China has accumulated more resources to solve problems. We need to integrate the resources within the system and the society through reform, forming cooperation between the public and governments on problem solving.

There are increasing complaints these years, but behind them is the support for the current system and expectation for a better future of the country. Western public opinion frequently criticizes China's politics, but meanwhile forecasts China's promising future. This contradiction gives China an opportunity to enhance its political legitimacy. As long as China maintains faster development than the West, the Western criticism of China's politics will diminish.

Some unexpected events happened before the congress, but because of this, China has shown the world its ability to deal with emergencies and consolidate unity. The process of preparing for and holding the congress increases the maturity of the society and adds to social flexibility. The problems that the country faces are increasing, but so is its problem-solving ability. There is no political deficit in China.

China is a global winner in the past decade. Many, including some foreign analysts, believe China will also be a winner in the next decade. Such optimism is based on two aspects: China's adaptability to international changes and the Party solidarity shown in the 18th Party congress.    

The congress will be highly regarded in the history of the Party and China. Since the reform and opening up, no goals issued by the Party congress have fallen through. Let's firmly move forward, because what the congress presents us is a credible future.