In a few months, China's leaders will meet in Beijing for one of the biggest and most politically charged events of the year: The 19th Party Congress. At the summit, which takes place every five years, the Chinese Communist Party will assess its performance since the previous conference and set goals for the country's political, economic and diplomatic future. But perhaps most important, the party will select nearly 200 senior figures — including the bulk of the small but all-important Standing Committee — who will be responsible for guiding the country over the next decade. This leadership transition comes at a unique moment in China's modern history, when the country itself is undergoing a radical transformation. Amid a lengthy socio-economic restructuring, China is still grappling with a number of daunting challenges, from massive disparities and a distorted financial system to soaring debt and environmental degradation.