Full Text: China's Political Party System: Cooperation and Consultation
VIII. Non-CPC Political Parties and Non-Affiliates Provide Advice on Economic and Social Development
The non-CPC political parties and non-affiliates employ their strengths in gathering talent, pooling wisdom, and reaching out to the general public. They actively deliberate on and participate in the administration of state affairs. They are valued advisers on key national programs, and significant contributors to the development of all social undertakings.
Making suggestions on the formulation of state policies and the implementation of major strategies. Members of the non-CPC political parties perform their functions mainly through conducting inspections and studies and providing consultancy and advice on major political, economic and social issues of overall, strategic and pioneering importance. Over the years, the central committees of the non-CPC political parties, together with non-affiliates, have conducted in-depth research into and surveys on major economic and social development issues such as the Belt and Road Initiative, the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region, the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta, innovation-driven high-quality development, and supply-side structural reform. Many of their proposals have been adopted by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. The CPC is always looking to improve the briefing, inspection, field work, liaison and feedback mechanisms so as to make the non-CPC political parties and non-affiliates better informed.
Exploring new avenues to perform their functions. The non-CPC political parties and non-affiliates have launched initiatives such as Intellectual Support to Underdeveloped Areas, Employment Assistance for Surplus Labor through Vocational Education, and the China Siyuan Foundation for Poverty Alleviation. They assist in nonprofit undertakings including vocational training, educational improvement, fundraising for disaster relief, and aid for people in need. As a bridge connecting the sectors they represent, the non-CPC political parties and non-affiliates make appeals and offer suggestions on key difficult issues of extensive public concern, such as education reform, medical care reform, the Beautiful China initiative, employment and business startups, and social security. They have increased their association with compatriots from the Hong Kong SAR, the Macao SAR and Taiwan, and with overseas Chinese, to boost the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, contain the separatist forces seeking "Taiwan independence", and promote national unity.
Standing together with the CPC to meet challenges. During the SARS outbreak in 2003, non-CPC political parties and non-affiliates made donations, offered proposals, and fought the disease at the frontline. After the Wenchuan earthquake in May 2008, they made donations of funds and supplies worth of RMB500 million within the very first month, which won widespread acclaim from all sectors of society. When Covid-19 raged in 2020, they responded to the call of the CPC Central Committee immediately, standing firmly alongside and acting together with the CPC in the battle against the virus. At this critical moment they helped build strong social cohesion and fulfilled their responsibilities as participating parties.
