Leaders of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) gathered Tuesday to discuss party-building, including increasing democracy within the Party, just two weeks ahead of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Delegates raise hands for a vote during the closing session of the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 21, 2007. [Xinhua file photo]

Some political analysts downplayed the possibility of a major policy shift at the fourth plenary session of the 17th Central Committee of the CPC, but they expected the meeting to sort out ways to fine-tune current practices of party-building.

The CPC central authority has solicited public opinion for a draft decision with a theme of "strengthening and improving party-building," which will be deliberated at the annual session, Xinhua reported.

The four-day session will also hear the work report of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, the Party's top decision-making body.

The CPC is at a critical stage for further changes 60 years after coming to power, Zhang Liangui, a professor at the Party School of the Central Committee of the CPC, told the Global Times.

"The Party has undergone a transformation in terms of its mission, as its priority has long switched from revolution to economic development," Zhang said, adding that corresponding changes in leadership and methods were a given.

The meeting comes as the Chinese grow more affluent and society becomes increasingly diversified as a result of three decades of economic gain.

The Party leaders should sort out some of the pressing issues, including the growing divide between the rich and poor, Zhang said.

Mao Shoulong, a professor of public policy at Renmin University of China, told the Global Times that the party-building issue was a rich concept under the governing philosophy of the CPC.

"The party-building issue refers not only to the fundamental questions, including the fate of the reform and opening-up policy, but it also covers topics such as the building of ideology, organization, leadership and the system of the Party," Mao said.