Q: What are the features of the CPC-led multi-party
cooperation and political consultation system? In what ways do the
non-communist parties supervise the CPC?
A: Unlike the multi-party and two-party systems widespread in
the West, and the one-party system in a few other countries,
China's political party system is characterized by multi-party
cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the
CPC. Its major features can be summed up as "the CPC at the helm
with the cooperation of the other parties, and the CPC in power
with the other parties participating in state affairs." That is to
say, the CPC assumes the core leadership as the party in power,
while the other eight political parties take part in the discussion
and management of state affairs.
As the party in power that leads the country, the CPC needs to
be subjected to the democratic supervision of the other political
parties. There are many ways for them to oversee the performance of
the CPC, mainly through the following mechanisms:
First, political consultation between the CPC and the other
political parties. When important issues have to be decided, the
CPC Central Committee usually invites major leaders of the
non-communist parties and representative personages without party
affiliation to consultations to solicit their opinions before
decisions are finalized.
Second, giving full play to the role of non-communist party
members and persons without party affiliation in the people's
congresses. An appropriate proportion of the seats in the National
People's Congress (NPC), the Standing Committee of the NPC and its
special committees are reserved for non-communist party members and
persons without party affiliation. At present, 140,000 of them are
serving as deputies to the NPC and local people's congresses at
different levels. By participating in the people's congresses, they
express the people's wishes, take part in lawmaking and
decision-making regarding important state issues, and supervise the
government.
Third, recommending non-communist party members and people
without party affiliation to hold government and judicial positions
at various levels. At present, more than 8,000 such people are
holding posts above the administrative level of a county chief in
government agencies and judicial organs. They play an important
role in their posts and have full duty and authority.
Fourth, giving full play to the role of non-communist parties in
the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). The
non-communist parties are all represented in the CPPCC in the
capacity of political parties, where they can make known their
opinions, raise proposals and discuss state affairs.
Fifth, the CPC and the Chinese Government warmly welcome
supervision from non-communist party members and persons without
party affiliation through various channels and in different forms.
For example, the non-communist parties and the All-China Federation
of Industry and Commerce can deploy the report system to supervise
the CPC. Non-communist party members and persons without party
affiliation are appointed as specially designated supervisors,
inspectors, auditors, education superintendents, tax inspectors and
land and resource supervisors. They have also participated in the
investigation of major criminal offenses and the inspection of
taxation.
The CPC-led multi-party cooperation and political consultation
system is one of China's basic political institutions, and is
suited to the country's national conditions. Extensive political
reforms are currently in full swing to improve the mutual
supervision mechanism, especially the specific mechanisms under
which the non-communist parties can supervise the CPC.