8th Party Congress

The Eighth National Congress of the Communist Party of China, held on September 15-27, 1956 in Beijing, declared that a socialist system had been fundamentally built and that the principle contradiction in China had changed from the conflict between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie, to that between low productivity and the people's fast-growing needs. The main task of Chinese people, according to the Congress, was to develop the productive forces and industrialize the country to satisfy people's economic and cultural needs. To achieve this, the government should build a comprehensive legal system, develop democracy and combat bureaucracy.

Deng Xiaoping delivers a speech outlining revisions to the Party Constitution at the Eighth National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

Representatives enter the conference hall

Chairman Mao Zedong delivers the opening address.