Briefing held on five-year achievements in socialist democracy

A briefing on five-year achievements in the building of socialist democracy, the fourth of a series of briefings on China's five-year achievements, was held in Beijing on Sept. 5. Around 800 people, including government officials, military officers, leaders of centrally administrated state-owned enterprises, university faculties and students, and representatives from the general public attended the briefing.

Zhang Yijiong, executive vice minister of the United Front Work Department of the Central Committee of Communist Party of China (CPC), delivered a report concerning the achievements made in socialist democracy with Chinese characteristics since the 18th National Congress of the CPC.

In his report, Zhang pointed out that in the face of profound changes in China and the globe, General Secretary Xi Jinping had put forward a series of new concepts, ideas, strategies with the vision of a Marxism statesman to develop socialist democracy with Chinese characteristics, which address major questions in the theory and practice related to the development of democracy in China in a scientific manner, and chart course for the Chinese nation and Chinese people on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

He emphasized that under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, socialist democracy with Chinese characteristics has scored tremendous achievements and new milestones in the development of democracy in China.

Zhang summarized the progress in democracy in China from several aspects. Marching unswervingly on the path of socialist democracy with Chinese characteristics, the CPC has strengthened and improved the leadership, and given its role of uniting and coordinating affairs in different fields in a holistic view into full play. Continuous progress in governance has been made based on more democratic and scientific principles and the rule of law. Moreover, centering on the fundamental political system and basic political system of China, the CPC has also upgraded the system of people's congress, enhanced the effectiveness and efficiency of multi-party cooperation, consolidated the system of regional autonomy of minority nationalities, and steadily push forward the self-governance of the general public. Meanwhile, the CPC has also intensified the administration system reform to stimulate vitality and creativity in the market and society by streamlining administration and delegate power to the lower levels, strengthening regulation and services.

Zhang also emphasized that people-oriented principle stands as the core of socialist democracy with Chinese characteristics, and on this basis, the CPC has specified seven means of consultation to develop democracy in China through deliberation and systematic plan from a top-level perspective. Combining electoral democracy and consultative democracy, this move, among many others, enriches the practice of socialist democracy with Chinese characteristics.