Strengthen and improve the work of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and comprehensively develop deliberative democracy ※

Xi Jinping

One

　　Achieving our goals requires the concerted efforts of the entire country and strengthening the unity and cooperation between the Communist Party of China and various democratic parties and non-partisan individuals. The various democratic parties are participating parties of Chinese-style socialism that work closely with the Communist Party of China, and non-partisan individuals are an important force in China's political life. The various democratic parties and non-partisan individuals must take upholding the path of political development with Chinese characteristics as their fundamental direction, improve their ability to participate in political affairs, conduct democratic oversight, and enhance their political judgment, organizational leadership, and collaborative skills. The All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) should strengthen its ideological and political education and capacity building, striving to become a people's organization and chamber of commerce with firm political convictions, distinct characteristics, and excellent work style.

　　(Speech delivered on February 6, 2013, while celebrating the Spring Festival with non-Communist figures)

Two

　　Deliberative democracy is a unique form and distinct advantage of China's socialist democracy, and an important manifestation of the Party's mass line in the political field. Promoting deliberative democracy helps improve the orderly political participation of the people, strengthen the Party's ties with the people, and promote scientific and democratic decision-making.

　　(Explanation on November 9, 2013, regarding the "Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Some Major Issues Concerning Comprehensively Deepening Reforms")

Three

　　Looking back on the 65-year development of the CPPCC, we have a deeper understanding that the CPPCC is rooted in Chinese history and culture, emerged from the great struggle of the Chinese people's revolution in modern times, and developed in the glorious practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It has distinct Chinese characteristics and is an important force in achieving national prosperity, national rejuvenation, and the happiness of the people. We have every reason to believe that the CPPCC has created a glorious history and will create an even more glorious future!

　　(Speech delivered on September 21, 2014, at the celebration of the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference)

Four

　　The CPPCC is the broadest organization of the patriotic united front. The united front is an important magic weapon for the Communist Party of China to win victory in revolution, construction, and reform, and it is also an important magic weapon for achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

　　(Speech delivered on September 21, 2014, at the celebration of the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference)

Five

　　The forms of achieving democracy are diverse; we cannot be confined to rigid models, nor can we say that there is only one universally applicable criterion for judgment. Whether the people enjoy democratic rights depends on whether they have the right to vote in elections, and also on whether they have the right to continuous participation in daily political life; it depends on whether the people have the right to democratic elections, and also on whether they have the right to democratic decision-making, democratic management, and democratic supervision. Socialist democracy requires not only complete institutional procedures but also complete participatory practices. The people being masters of their own house must be concretely and realistically reflected in the governance of the Communist Party of China and the state, concretely and realistically reflected in the work of all aspects and levels of the Communist Party of China and state organs, and concretely and realistically reflected in the realization and development of the people's own interests.

　　(Speech delivered on September 21, 2014, at the celebration of the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference)

Six

　　Under China's socialist system, it is good to discuss matters; matters concerning everyone should be discussed by everyone. Finding the greatest common divisor of the will and demands of the whole society is the essence of people's democracy. Matters involving the interests of the people should be discussed among the people; if matters are not discussed or not discussed sufficiently, it will be difficult to accomplish them well. We must insist on discussing more matters, discussing matters more often, and discussing matters more thoroughly. Matters involving the interests of all ethnic groups and people across the country should be widely discussed among the entire people and the whole society; matters involving the interests of the people in a certain place should be widely discussed among the people in that place; matters involving the interests of a segment of the population or specific groups should be widely discussed among that segment of the population; matters involving the interests of the grassroots should be widely discussed among the grassroots. The process of wide-ranging discussions among all sectors within the people is a process of promoting democracy and gathering wisdom, a process of unifying thinking and building consensus, a process of scientific and democratic decision-making, and a process of realizing the people being masters of their own house. In this way, national governance and social governance can have a solid foundation and can also bring together strong forces.

　　(Speech delivered on September 21, 2014, at the celebration of the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference)

Seven

　　Based on the summary of the people's democratic practice in New China, we clearly put forward that in our socialist country with a large population and vast territory, major issues related to national economy and people's livelihood are widely discussed under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, reflecting the unity of democracy and centralism; the people exercising their rights through elections and voting, and various sectors within the people conducting thorough consultations before major decisions, striving to reach consensus on common issues, are two important forms of Chinese socialist democracy. In China, these two forms of democracy do not replace or negate each other, but complement and enhance each other, jointly constituting the institutional characteristics and advantages of China's socialist democratic politics.

　　(Speech delivered on September 21, 2014, at the celebration of the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference)

Eight

　　Deliberative democracy is a unique and distinctive democratic form in China's socialist democratic politics. It originates from the excellent political culture of the Chinese nation, formed over a long period, such as the pursuit of public good, inclusiveness, and seeking common ground while reserving differences; it originates from the real process of China's political development since modern times; it originates from the long-term practice of the Communist Party of China leading the people in revolution, construction, and reform; it originates from the great creation jointly achieved by various parties, groups, ethnic groups, classes, and sectors in the political system after the founding of New China; it originates from the continuous innovation in the political system since the reform and opening up, and it has a profound cultural, theoretical, practical, and institutional foundation.

　　(Speech delivered on September 21, 2014, at the celebration of the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference)

Nine

　　Wholeheartedly serving the people and always representing the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people are important prerequisites and foundations for us to implement and develop deliberative democracy. The Constitution of the Communist Party of China stipulates that the Communist Party of China has no special interests other than the interests of the working class and the overwhelming majority of the people. The Communist Party of China and the state it leads represent the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people, and all its theories, lines, principles, policies, work deployments, and arrangements should come from the people and should be formulated and implemented for the benefit of the people. Under this major political premise, we should and can widely solicit opinions and suggestions from all sectors within the people. Under the unified leadership of the Communist Party of China, through various forms of consultation, widely soliciting opinions and suggestions, and widely accepting criticism and supervision, we can widely reach the greatest consensus on decision-making and work, effectively overcoming the shortcomings of parties and interest groups competing or even fighting each other for their own interests; we can widely open up channels for various interests and demands to enter the decision-making process, effectively overcoming the shortcomings of different political forces sticking to their own opinions and excluding others in order to maintain and strive for their own interests; we can widely form a mechanism for discovering and correcting mistakes and errors, effectively overcoming the shortcomings of unclear situations and self-righteousness in decision-making; we can widely form a mechanism for the people to participate in management and governance at all levels, effectively overcoming the shortcomings of the people being unable to express themselves or participate in national political life and social governance; we can widely gather the wisdom and strength of the whole society to promote reform and development, effectively overcoming the shortcomings of low consensus and inability to implement various policies and work. This is the unique advantage of China's socialist deliberative democracy.

　　(Speech delivered on September 21, 2014, at the celebration of the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference)

Ten

　　Socialist consultative democracy is rooted, has origins, and is vibrant in our country. It is a great creation of Chinese communists and the Chinese people, a unique form and distinct advantage of China's socialist democratic politics, and an important manifestation of the Party's mass line in the political field. We must deeply understand this fundamental characterization, further build consensus, and better promote the construction of this system. We adhere to the principle of consulting more on matters, consulting more when encountering matters, and consulting more when doing things; the more in-depth the consultation, the better. The goal is to achieve solutions, consensus, emotional connection, and unity through consultation.

　　(Speech at the Sixth Meeting of the Central Leading Group for Comprehensively Deepening Reforms, October 27, 2014)

Eleven

　　We have a set of theories and systems that suit national conditions. At the same time, we maintain an open attitude; whether traditional or foreign, we will take the essence and discard the dross. However, the fundamental elements must be our own; we can only follow our own path. We are governed by the Chinese Communist Party, with various democratic parties participating in politics. There is no opposition party; it is not a system of separation of powers or multi-party rotation in power. Our legal system must be compatible with this system.

　　(Speech at the Study Session for Major Leading Cadres at the Provincial and Ministerial Levels on Studying and Implementing the Spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee and Comprehensively Promoting the Rule of Law, February 2, 2015)

Twelve

　　Giving full play to the important role of socialist consultative democracy. It is the essence of people's democracy that matters are discussed when there are matters to be discussed, and that matters concerning the people are discussed by the people. Consultative democracy is an important way to implement the Party's leadership and is a unique form and distinct advantage of China's socialist democratic politics. We must promote the broad, multi-level, and institutionalized development of consultative democracy, and comprehensively promote party consultation, NPC consultation, government consultation, CPPCC consultation, people's organization consultation, grassroots consultation, and social organization consultation. We must strengthen the institutional construction of consultative democracy, forming complete institutional procedures and participation practices, to guarantee the people's right to participate widely, continuously, and deeply in daily political life.

　　(Report to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, October 18, 2017)

Thirteen

　　The system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, as a fundamental political system of our country, is a great political creation of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people, and various democratic parties and non-partisan individuals. It is a new type of party system that has grown from Chinese soil. It is called a new type of party system because it is a product of the combination of Marxist party theory and Chinese practice. It can truly, broadly, and durably represent and realize the fundamental interests of the vast majority of the people and the fundamental interests of all ethnic groups and sectors across the country, effectively avoiding the shortcomings of the old party system, which represented only a minority of people and interest groups. It is new because it closely unites various parties and non-partisan individuals to strive for common goals, effectively avoiding the shortcomings of a single party lacking supervision or multi-party rotation in power and malicious competition. It is new because through institutionalized, procedural, and standardized arrangements, it concentrates various opinions and suggestions and promotes scientific and democratic decision-making, effectively avoiding the shortcomings of the old party system, which was constrained by party interests, class interests, regional and group interests in decision-making and governance, leading to social division. It not only conforms to the realities of contemporary China but also conforms to the excellent traditional Chinese culture that has always advocated the public good, inclusiveness, and seeking common ground while reserving differences. It is a significant contribution to human political civilization.

(Speech when meeting with members of the China Democratic League, the Zhi Gong Party, non-partisan individuals, and the Overseas Chinese Affairs Department attending the first session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and participating in a joint group meeting, March 4, 2018)

Fourteen

　　The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is a great achievement of the Communist Party of China in combining the theories of Marxist-Leninist united front, party, and democratic politics with Chinese realities. It is a great creation of the Communist Party of China leading various democratic parties, non-partisan individuals, people's organizations, and people from all ethnic groups and walks of life in the political system. For 70 years, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the CPPCC has adhered to the two major themes of unity and democracy, served the central tasks of the Party and the state, and played a very important role in the establishment of New China and in the socialist revolution, construction, and reform throughout various historical periods.

　　(Speech at the Central CPPCC Work Conference and the 70th Anniversary Celebration of the Founding of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, September 20, 2019)

Fifteen

　　Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, we have summarized our experience and put forward a series of new requirements for the work of the CPPCC, mainly in the following aspects:

　　First, strengthen the Party's leadership over the work of the CPPCC. The leadership of the Communist Party of China is the common choice of all Chinese people, including various democratic parties, groups, ethnic groups, classes, and sectors. It is the original intention at the time of the establishment of the CPPCC and the fundamental guarantee for the development and progress of the CPPCC cause. We must integrate upholding Party leadership into all aspects of the CPPCC's work and effectively implement the Party Central Committee's various requirements for the CPPCC's work.

　　Second, accurately grasp the nature and positioning of the CPPCC. As a united front organization, an institution for multi-party cooperation and political consultation, and an important form of people's democracy, the CPPCC is an important channel and specialized consultative body for socialist consultative democracy and an important component of the national governance system. It is a unique institutional arrangement with Chinese characteristics. The CPPCC must uphold its nature and positioning and unswervingly follow the path of socialist political development with Chinese characteristics.

　　Third, give full play to the role of the CPPCC as a specialized consultative body. Consultative democracy is an important way to implement the Party's leadership and is a unique form and distinct advantage of China's socialist democratic politics. We must give full play to the role of the CPPCC as a specialized consultative body, integrating consultative democracy into the entire process of fulfilling its functions, adhering to the mutual integration of promoting democracy and enhancing unity, and making concerted efforts in both making suggestions and building consensus. We must actively carry out democratic supervision around the implementation of important decisions and deployments of the Party and the state.

　　Fourth, uphold and improve China's new party system. The system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China is a fundamental political system of our country. It is a new type of party system that has grown from Chinese soil. The CPPCC must create conditions for democratic parties and non-partisan individuals to better play their roles in the CPPCC.

　　Fifth, broadly unite people's hearts and minds and gather strength. The CPPCC must give full play to the functions of the united front organization, uphold great unity and great unity, uphold the unity of consistency and diversity, continuously consolidate the common ideological and political foundation, strengthen ideological and political guidance, broadly build consensus, strive to seek the greatest common denominator, and draw the largest concentric circle, gathering the tremendous strength to achieve national rejuvenation.

　　Sixth, focus on the central tasks of the Party and the state to perform duties and responsibilities. The CPPCC must take achieving the first centenary goal and advancing toward the second centenary goal as its direction for performing its duties and responsibilities, and take promoting the solution of the problems of unbalanced and inadequate development as its work focus. It must closely follow the overall situation, aim at key issues, address shortcomings, and strengthen weak areas, conduct in-depth consultations and focused deliberations, and strengthen supervision to promote implementation.

　　Seventh, uphold the CPPCC's commitment to the people. The CPPCC must take continuously meeting the people's needs for a better life and promoting improvements in people's livelihood as an important focus, listen to the voices of the masses, reflect the wishes of the masses, do a good job in addressing practical problems in the field of people's livelihood, and assist the Party and the government in promoting the well-being of the people.

　　Eighth, promote the construction of capacity building with a spirit of reform and innovation. The CPPCC must uphold reform and innovation and focus on enhancing its ability to grasp politics, conduct investigations and studies, maintain ties with the masses, and cooperate and work together. We must strengthen the construction of the committee members' ranks, educate and guide committee members to understand the CPPCC, be skilled in consultation and deliberation, be good at political consultation, abide by discipline, observe rules, and value conduct.

(Speech at the Central CPPCC Work Conference and the 70th Anniversary Celebration of the Founding of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, September 20, 2019)