Opinions of the CPC Central Committee Concerning Strengthening the Construction of Socialist Consultative Democracy

Issued by the CPC Central Committee on January 5, 2015. Included in the Selection and Compilation of Important Documents since the 18th National Congress (Vol. 2). This is the first central document issued by the Party on the theme of consultative democracy.

The “Opinions” is divided into 9 parts, with 27 articles in total. The nine parts are as follows: (1) Importance of strengthening the construction of consultative democracy; (2) Guiding ideology, basic principles and channel procedures of strengthening the construction of consultative democracy; (3) Continuing to strengthen the consultation of political parties; (4) Actively carrying out NPC consultation; (5) Solidly promoting the consultation of the governments; (6) Further improve the CPPCC consultation; (7) Seriously doing a good job in the consultation of people's groups; (8) Steadily promoting the consultation at the grass-roots level; (9) Strengthening and improving the Party's leadership in the construction of consultative democracy.

The “Opinions” further clarified the essence and basic connotation of socialist consultative democracy, and elaborated the important significance of strengthening the construction of socialist consultative democracy. It is pointed out that socialist consultative democracy is a unique form and advantage of China's socialist democratic politics, an important manifestation of the Party's mass line in the political field, and an important element in deepening the reform of the political system. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, consultative democracy is an important form of democracy in which all parties within the people consult widely on major issues of reform, development and stability and practical issues of immediate interest to the masses, before and during the implementation of decisions, and strive to form consensus. To strengthen the construction of consultative democracy, we must adhere to the organic unity of the Party's leadership, the people being the masters of the country, and the rule of law, implement democratic centralism, and unswervingly follow the path of socialist political development with Chinese characteristics.

The issuance of the “Opinions” is a major strategic initiative of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core to deepen the reform of the political system and develop socialist democracy, which is conducive to expanding citizens' orderly political participation and better realizing people's right to be the masters of the country; promoting scientific and democratic decision-making and modernizing the national governance system and governance capacity; resolving conflicts and promoting social harmony and stability; keeping close ties between the Party and the people, consolidating and expanding the Party's ruling base; it is conducive to fully giving rein to the superiority of China's political system and enhancing the confidence in the path, theory and system of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Thus, it is of great theoretical and practical significance for building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, achieving the "Two Centenaries", grand goal, and consolidating and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics.