China's political party system is a unique political creation with distinctive characteristics and strengths, according to a white paper titled "China's Political Party System: Cooperation and Consultation" released by the State Council Information Office on Friday.

With the system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) being a basic element of China's political framework, the country's political party system is a unique political structure created by the CPC, the Chinese people, the non-CPC political parties, and non-affiliates, said the white paper.

"It sprouted from Chinese soil and evolved over time based on China's historical heritage, cultural traditions, and economic and social development," read the white paper.

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Full Text: China's Political Party System: Cooperation and Consultation

The unique political model has displayed unquestionable strength and vitality in China's political and social life, and it is essential to the task of modernizing China's governance system and capacity, and continues to make an invaluable contribution to the political progress of humanity, according to the white paper.

In this system, in addition to the CPC, there are eight other political parties, namely the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, the China Democratic League, the China National Democratic Construction Association, the China Association for Promoting Democracy, the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, the China Zhi Gong Party, the Jiusan Society, and the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League. The system also includes prominent individuals without affiliation to any of the political parties.

Over the years, the CPC has worked together with the non-CPC political parties, advancing side by side, withstanding all kinds of tests, and forming a new type of relationship featuring cooperation, unity and harmony, said the white paper.

The white paper added that non-CPC political parties participate in state governance under socialism with Chinese characteristics. The CPC is a close friend to other political parties. The CPC and the non-CPC political parties supervise each other.

According to the white paper, China's political party system embodies the interests of the widest range of social groups, reflects the shared goals of all, promotes sound decision-making and implementation, and ensures effective state governance.

The white paper made it clear that the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), an organization of the Chinese people's patriotic united front, is an important political and organizational platform in China's political party system and serves as a key mechanism for multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC.

"The CPPCC plays a major role in promoting socialist democracy in China. It is an important channel and specialized body for socialist consultative democracy, a key component of the state governance system, and a distinctively Chinese political institution," wrote the white paper.

As it grows and matures over the past seven decades, China's political party system has contributed to China's development, national rejuvenation, and social progress, and is of great benefit to the people's wellbeing, according to the white paper.

"China will, as always, learn and draw from the positive experiences of other countries, but will not imitate other political party systems mechanically, or impose its own on any other country," read the white paper, stressing that China respects the right of other countries to choose a political party system best adapted to their own realities.

As the CPC celebrates its 100th anniversary this year and moves towards the second of the Two Centenary Goals, China will not waiver from its commitments to uphold CPC leadership, develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, and improve its political party system, the white paper concluded.

(Cover: A briefing of China's State Council Information Office on a white paper titled "China's Political Party System: Cooperation and Consultation" in Beijing, June 25, 2021. /CFP)