Long-Term Coexistence and Mutual Supervision

In April 1956, Mao Zedong put forward the policy of correctly handling the relationship between the CPC and the democratic parties in his "On the Ten Major Relationships". It is also the fundamental policy for the work of the United Front in the new era of socialist modernization in China.

Mao Zedong said in "On the Major Ten Relationships" that “which is better, to have just one party or several? As we see it now, it's perhaps better to have several parties. This has been true in the past and may well be so for the future; it means long-term, coexistence and mutual supervision. This is better for the Party, for the people and for socialism. We should make every possible effort to mobilize their enthusiasm for the cause of socialism.”

On the relationship between the Communist Party and the non-Party people, Mao Zedong put forward the idea of "two long lives". He said that our policy is to mobilize the democratic parties. There must be two long lives, one for the Communist Party and the other for the democratic parties. In China, there are many democratic parties, and we have consciously left the democratic parties behind.

Subsequently, in his February 1957 speech "On the Correct Handling of the Contradictions among People”, Mao Zedong elaborated more fully on this policy. He said that this policy was proposed in the light of China's specific situation, on the basis of the recognition of the contradictions that still exist in socialist society, and on the urgent need for the country to develop its economy and culture rapidly. He said that a party, like a person, needs to hear different voices in its ears. He also hoped that all democratic parties would pay attention to ideological reform and strive to co-exist with the Communist Party for a long time, and supervise each other, in order to adapt to the needs of the new society.

In accordance with this idea, Liu Shaoqi, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, stated in his political report to the Eighth Party Congress: "In the future, we believe that we should adopt the policy of long-term coexistence and mutual supervision between the Communist Party and the democratic parties.” He also elaborated clearly on the connotation of this policy. He said: "The slogan 'long-term coexistence and mutual supervision' is also a product of the specific historical conditions in China.”

The CPC adopted the policy of long-term coexistence for parties that are really committed to uniting the people in the cause of socialism and have the trust of the people. The CPC mainly accepts the supervision of the working people and the masses, but also accepts the supervision of the democratic parties, and it is more beneficial for us that the parties put forward their opinions and criticism to each other.

On April 24, 1957, Zhou Enlai, in his speech at the enlarged meeting of the CCP's Zhejiang Provincial Committee, also devoted himself to "long-term coexistence and mutual supervision." He pointed out that long-term coexistence and mutual supervision were mainly about the relationship between the CPC and other parties.

Long-term coexistence meant "as long as our Party lasts, the democratic parties will last as long as they can, until the future development of society does not need political parties." There was no harm in striving for a common goal, seeking common ground and reserving minor differences. More democratic parties to contact the masses in all aspects, can hear some different opinions, for the country, for the people's cause. Mutual supervision, first of all, should be invited by the Communist Party to supervise others. This is because the CPC is the leading party. The ruling party tends to breed bureaucratism and be detached from the masses. With more supervision, one had to be more careful and cautious in doing things. Cadres should be humble and willing to accept the supervision of the democratic parties, and in turn, the democratic parties should be willing to accept the supervision of the Communist Party.

After the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee, the policy of "long-term coexistence and mutual supervision" was restored and developed. On October 14, 1979, the Central Committee of the CPC approved the document "Guidelines and Tasks of the United Front in the New Historical Period" of the National Conference on United Front Work, emphasizing that "the Party and the democratic parties should seriously implement the policy of 'long-term coexistence and mutual supervision'."

"We should respect the organizational independence of the democratic parties and give full play to their supervisory role", restore and carry forward the fine tradition of democratic consultation, and propose that "the implementation of democratic cooperation and arrangements for the use of people outside the Party is an everlasting principle of the Party."

Mao selected a number of non-Party experts with genuine talent and knowledge to leadership positions at all levels, and resolutely overcame the "uniform" sectarian ideology.

From December 1981 to January 1982, the Fifteenth National United Front Work Conference was held in Beijing, and in his speech, Hu Yaobang emphasized the need to open up a new situation in the United Front work, elaborated on the scope of the National United Front and the ten aspects of the target of the United Front, and distinctly proposed that "in the new historical period, we must establish a genuine relationship with our friends outside the Party. In the new historical period, we must truly establish a relationship with our friends outside the Party that is based on mutual respect, honor and disgrace."

In September 1982, the report of the Twelfth National Congress of the CPC put forward for the first time the principles of "long-term coexistence, mutual supervision" and "liver and gall, honor and disgrace, and common" as a complete policy, emphasizing that “The Party will continue to adhere to the policy of 'long-term coexistence, mutual supervision, mutual care and concern, and mutual honor and disgrace', and strengthen cooperation with democratic parties, non-Party democrats, ethnic minorities and religious patriots.”