Beijing, Oct 12 (IANS): The Communist Party of China (CPC) leaders will gather in Beijing for a key meeting from October 26-29 on the country's development plan for the next five years, officials said on Monday.

The fifth plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee was scheduled at a meeting of its top officials, the political bureau, presided over by President Xi Jinping, Xinhua news agency reported.

The officials said selected members and departments from across the CPC have made good suggestions for a draft of the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) for economic and social development. Their views will be incorporated into a final draft to be deliberated at the plenary session.

During the 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-2015), China faced a complicated international environment and a challenging need for reform to shore up development and stability. Under the party's leadership, the Chinese people achieved major progresses while the national power has been remarkably improved, a statement said.

While economic development will be the central task, a people-centric concept should be employed in the 2016-2020 plan, it said.