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BEIJING : The Chinese communist party's 17th National People's Congress (NPC) starts next Monday.
The event which takes place every five years to map the country's future is China's most important political session.
The glitzy Beijing mall - The Place - is the latest attraction in the Chinese capital's bustling Central Business District.
It's the location of choice for Sauro Angelini, when he was picking a venue for his first restaurant in Beijing.
The Italian entrepreneur is a Marxist who used to oppose capitalistic ventures.
Arriving here more than 30 years ago, he was drawn to China's planned economy, believing that the economic model was the answer for a society to progress.
But soon after setting foot in Beijing, he witnessed widespread poverty and hardships faced by the masses behind China's closed doors.
"We thought that a planned economy could give better development for the society and result in better wealth distribution in the society. That has been true during a certain part of the revolution. But at a certain point, the organisation of the society did not permit (further) development of the economy," said restaurant owner Angelini.
After the death of the late Chairman Mao Zedong who had led the Communists to take control of the country in 1949, his successor Deng Xiaoping opened China's doors to the world in 1985, and advocated economic reforms.
The seeds of entrepreneurship were planted and quickly sprouted.
But it also created other problems, such as a widening income gap.
"I think still there is two China. One is the one we see in Beijing and Shanghai, and another one that still exists in the countryside. One is very developed while one is very underdeveloped," said Angelini.
Now at 65, Angelini no longer believes in a single hard and fast solution to a country's development.
But he said he's still a Marxist at heart, who hopes to see equal opportunities for all.
China's new market-oriented economy is now the fourth largest in the world.
Last year the country's GDP grew by 11.1 percent, the fastest in a decade.
But along with the impressive expansion, China is also placed under greater scrutiny than before. As the recent food safety scandals and trade disputes have shown, China faces yet another challenge - the challenge in proving itself to be a responsible.
With the Party Congress just days away, many in China are also seeking answers to a wide range of issues.
"I hope Taiwan will not proceed with separatism. I am a Chinese and I believe Taiwan is a part of China," said a Chinese taxi driver.
Observers are also looking out for changes in the top leadership, and how it would steer China for the next five years. - CNA /ls
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