'United front' expansion in Constitution a requirement of the times

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‍One section of the draft amendment to China's Constitution proposes that "patriots devoted to national rejuvenation" are part of the patriotic united front enshrined in the existing text. CPPCC members reviewing the amendments in a panel discussion on Wednesday said the expansion is required at this time.

China's "patriotic united front" will continue to be consolidated and developed. That's according to the proposed amendments to the Chinese Constitution.

CGTN Photo

Currently, the Constitution says that the broad patriotic united front is formed under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. It is "composed of the democratic parties and people's organizations." It embraces four "alls" of people: “all socialist working people, all builders of socialism, all patriots who support socialism, and all patriots who stand for the reunification of the motherland."

Now the draft amendments are adding another "all"..."all patriots that devote themselves to national rejuvenation."

Legal expert and political adviser Zhou Shihong said that it was a requirement of our time.

"The draft amendments are expanding the scope to include all people with a positive meaning to the Chinese rejuvenation. That's further improving the strength and persistence of the force to achieve rejuvenation," Zhou told CGTN.

"General Secretary Xi said, 'we're going to draw the maximum concentric circle, get the greatest common divisor.' That's to unite all forces that can be united, up to the last, for the rejuvenation. I think it's a requirement of our time."

Legal expert and political adviser Zhou Shihong speaks to CGTN on draft amendments to the Constitution. /CGTN photo

A team of political advisers are from the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, one of China's eight democratic parties. The team includes many legal and cultural experts, reflecting the make-up of the party.

Li Shenglong, a cultural and history professor, said the amendments could help strengthen people's belief: "I think it's a highlight and a big achievement to write socialist core values into the Constitution."

"That core value is a reflection of Chinese spirits. It integrates all people's common pursuit. It's a common moral basis. Writing that value into the Constitution is building up the nation's belief, a belief that gives power to the country and hope to the nation," Li added.

Panel discussion of advisers from the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, one of China's eight democratic parties on March 7, 2018. /CGTN photo

While CPPCC members discussed the amendments to the Constitution, some members advised the country to further enhance public awareness of the text, so that all citizens could uphold its spirit.