【明報專訊】THIS YEAR the Beidaihe conference has again been shrouded in mystery. Top leaders have as a rule gathered there. However, lips being sealed, it is not known what they have discussed. Now preparations for shijiuda (the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC)) have begun, and there are signs that top CPC leaders ought to "pool" their wisdom and let their thoughts "collide" in looking at the mode and rules of CPC succession.