He said the issues being debated in China included "How to continue the open-door policy while remaining loyal to Marxist-Leninist tenets?" and "How to get rich while staying socialist?"

FlorCruz added that China has persevered with the road to reform and opening-up due to the CPC's "results-driven pragmatism and remarkable resilience".

Challenges remain for the Party, such as dealing with corruption, environmental pollution and the wealth gap. FlorCruz said these are the "unintended consequences" of reform and opening-up.

Despite this, he is optimistic about China's future, while noting that the nation needs "to remain resilient and pragmatic to cope with new challenges and attain harmony at home and with the rest of the world".