Editor's note: 2017 was witness to a series of remarkable events in China — from the all-important National Congress of the Communist Party of China to the introduction of the country's first general civil law, from the first domestically-produced large passenger plane to more high-speed rail networks. As the year draws to a close, let's look back at the biggest stories from 2017 and consider what they mean for China's future.

Party congress heralds new era

The twice-a-decade National Congress of the Communist Party of China was held in October, laying out the blueprint for the country's development over the next five years and beyond.

In the report delivered at the 19th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping said the principal contradiction facing China has evolved, as socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era.

The principal contradiction the country now faces is one between unbalanced and inadequate development and the people's ever-growing needs for a better life. Previously, the principal contradiction was described as being between the ever-growing material and cultural needs of the people and backward social production.

In the report, the CPC has also drawn up a two-stage development plan for the period from 2020 to the middle of the 21st century to transform China into a great, modern socialist country.