BEIJING - The 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is scheduled to open on Thursday, Nov 8, 2012. Since its founding in July 1921, the CPC has held a few key national congresses, which are as follows:

-- In 1921 at the first national congress, 12 delegates represented more than 50 CPC members nationwide.

-- In 1945 at the seventh national congress, 755 delegates represented 1.21 million CPC members.

-- In 1982 at the 12th national congress, 1,690 delegates represented 39.65 million CPC members.

-- In 1992 at the 14th national congress, 1,989 delegates represented 51 million CPC members.

-- In 1997 at the 15th national congress, 2,074 delegates represented more than 59 million CPC members.

-- In 2002 at the 16th national congress, 2,134 delegates represented more than 66 million CPC members.

-- In 2007 at the 17th national congress, 2, 213 delegates represented more than 70 million CPC members.