Xi: CPC-led multi-party cooperation must be strengthened

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Chinese President Xi Jinping said Sunday that the political system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) must be strengthened and developed during a panel discussion with political advisers.

Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during a panel discussion with political advisers from the China Democratic League, China Zhi Gong Party, the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and advisers without any party affiliation at the first session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing.

Xi stressed that socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era, which requires China to stand firm on and further develop the political system of the CPC-led multi-party cooperation and political consultation system.

"We must take the unique advantage of the multi-party cooperation political system, develop China's socialist democracy, and work hard to secure a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects," he said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with CPPCC members during the panel discussion at the first session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, March, 4, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

Xi was briefed by eight CPPCC members during the panel discussion on various issues, such as deepening reform and opening up, working to normalize ties with countries with no current diplomatic relations and promoting the reform of science and technology evaluation system.

Xi appreciated the suggestions raised by political advisers and called on relevant government agencies to pay attention to and carry out careful research on those suggestions.

He called the past five years extraordinary years, adding that China has overcome a series of big challenges.

He also said the half decade witnessed rises of national economic power, scientific and technological strength, national defense capability, comprehensive national strength, China's international influence and people's sense of gains.

"These achievements are hard-won. They are the results of the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee as well as the results of concerted efforts of people of all ethnic groups. The achievements also come from the hard work and wisdom of democratic parties, democratic personages without party affiliation, associations and CPPCC members."

Xi pointed out that as a basic political system of China, the CPC-led multi-party cooperation and political consultation system is a new type of party system growing from China's soil.

It is a new type because it can represent and realize the true, broad and enduring fundamental interests of Chinese people of all nationalities and effectively avoids the situation of old political system which stands for the interests of minority and a few interest groups.

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks at the panel discussion at the first session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, March, 4, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

He stressed that the CPC has always paid high attention to the multi-party cooperation. "Adhering to the leadership of the Communist Party of China does not mean we don't need democracy; instead, we want to build broader and more effective democracy," Xi said.

China's political system is a system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC. The system was established and developed jointly by the CPC and other democratic parties in their longtime commitments to China's revolution, its construction and reforms.

The combined wisdom of the system can not only help promote a more scientific and democratic decision-making of the ruling Party and governments at all levels, but can also help balance the interests and needs of various communities.