The Communist Party of China, the country's ruling party, with over 70 million members, will soon hold its 17th national congress in Beijing.

After eight months of elections, over 2,200 representative party members from are expected to attend the meeting.

CRI's Xiaoyu has the details.

Reporter:
56-year-old Chen Xueli is board director of the Weigao Group, a privately-own company in the eastern coastal province of Shandong.

He was recently elected delegate for CPC's 17th congress.

"The 17th congress has absorbed delegates from new economic and social organizations, which demonstrates CPC Central Committee's care for new economic groups."

The new economic organizations, as described by Chen Xueli, refer to privately-owned companies like "Weigao". New social organizations include civil chambers of commerce, non-profit institutions and other new-born groups.

Electing representatives from these two new organizations has been seen as a highlight of the delegate election.

Unlike Chen Xueli, delegate Jin Mulin is of Jingpo ethnicity from a remote village in southwest China's Yunnan province.

Since 2001, she organized local women to do drug and HIV-AIDS prevention work. Through her efforts, there are no more drug users in the village.

"I will not let our people down. I will bring the expectation and voices of people at our country's border area to the 17th congress."

Over 28 percent of the 2,200 delegates for the 17th congress are, like Jin Muling, from grassroots level.

Shen Yueyue, a senior official of the CPC Central Committee, adds the percentages of female and ethnic party members have both increased over the previous congress.

She says that delegates represent the voices of extensive fields - like economics, science and technology, national defense, law, publicity, culture, health, sports, among others.

"There are workers, farmers, soldiers, experts, intellectuals, retirees and new economic and social organization representatives. Generally speaking, the delegates are highly recognized by the public, and their composition is reasonable."

The CPC national congress, which is held every five years, is the most important political event for the party and the country.

The 17th congress is held at a time when China's economic and social development is entering a critical phase.

Delegates are expected to discuss and make decision on key policies of the ruling party at the meeting later this year.