Global youth on: Will 2024's elections test democracy like never before?

CGTN host Enoch Wong spoke with several international students studying in China to gather their perspectives on democracy in 2024, focusing on some of the most significant democratic exercises in recent times.

Australian Cici says that the strength of democracy is not determined solely by election results. She points out the varied avenues through which individuals can partake in the political process, noting, "Elections are one way for us to engage politically, but there are numerous other methods as well." She draws attention to the global interest in China's annual Two Sessions, during which over 5,000 lawmakers and political advisers gathered. The Two Sessions demonstrate China's commitment to 'whole-process people's democracy,' an approach that seeks to incorporate the public's goals into the national development agenda.

Nick, who has some experience working on election campaigns in the U.S. and is a seasoned voter, shares his perspective on the influence of elections on policy implementation and the genuine nature of political opposition. He humorously cited, "The United States is a one-party state, but with typical American extravagance, they have two of them." This quote points to his view of the U.S. political scene as essentially unified under a veneer of bipartisanship, noting that changes in governance often result from gradual systemic shifts rather than direct electoral impact. However, Nick contrasts this with the more immediate effect elections can have on governance in other nations.

Nick also expresses admiration for the efficacy of people's democracy practiced in China. He notes that many of his Chinese peers are impressed by the involvement of state leadership in discussions, which includes actively soliciting and integrating public suggestions. Unlike the U.S. State of the Union, which can seem more like a campaign speech, the government work reports at the Two Sessions are perceived to genuinely reflect feedback and address concerns from the people. He cites the extensive drafting process of the 2024 government work report as an example, mentioning that it involved around 10,000 drafters who worked diligently to incorporate thousands of suggestions and millions of online comments into revisions. This method of policy development, Nick observes, integrates the collective intelligence and aspirations of the people into China's strategic decisions, contributing to the high satisfaction rates with the government reported by the Harvard Kennedy School's surveys over a decade, consistently above 90 percent.

Joseph, reflecting on sentiments from Europe, notes a growing disillusionment among young people with the effectiveness of the electoral process. He points out a preference among his peers for a dialogue on democracy that is more inclusive, similar to the approach advocated by China, which promotes common values of humanity and emphasizes peace, development, equity, justice, democracy, and freedom. This perspective contrasts the more exclusive nature of the invite-only 'Summit for Democracy.'