BEIJING - The Communist Party of China (CPC) will convene its 18th national congress in the second half of 2012 in Beijing, the CPC Central Committee announced after concluding a plenum Tuesday.

The national congress is to be held during a crucial period of the construction of a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way, the deepening of reform and opening up, and the transformation of the pattern of economic development, said a communique issued after the plenum.

It will be of significant importance for the Party to unite and lead all the Chinese people in building a moderately prosperous society in an all-around way, as well as accelerating the nation's modernization drive, the communique said.