China published on Thursday the country's first ever white paper
on its political system, elaborating the origin, major
characteristics and basic principles of the system, saying that the
system is an inevitable choice for China's social development.
The white paper introduced and expounded upon the development
history of China's political party system and important role it
plays in China's social and economic development. "The white paper
will help the international community learn the historical
background, features, advantages, values and functions of the
system," said Zhuang Congsheng, spokesman of the United Front Work
Department of the CPC Central Committee, in an exclusive interview
with China.org.cn.
China's political party system, simply stated, defines the
Communist Party of China (CPC) as the ruling party with eight other
democratic parties also involved in state affairs. Multiparty
cooperation and political consultation takes place under the
leadership of the CPC.
Zhuang said that the political party system a country adopts is
independent of man's will and determined by natural, national
conditions and the social development of that given country. China
is no exception. China introduced a parliamentary and multi-party
system in imitation of Western countries after the victorious
Revolution in 1911. After that the Kuomintang headed by Chiang
Kai-shek exercised a one-party dictatorship and monopolized all
state power between 1927 and 1949, but it inevitably failed.
History has proven that the multi-party cooperation system has
unique political advantages and strong vitality, works well and
plays an irreplaceable role in China's political and social
life.
Democratic parties are neither parties out of office nor
opposition parties. They are parties fully participating in the
political life of the nation. They agree with the CPC's fundamental
theory, line, program and experience and share the same goal of
building socialism with Chinese characteristics, Zhuang said.
The CPC has consistently stressed cooperation with the
democratic parties and continued to push forward theoretical
innovation and development in practical work regarding multi-party
cooperation. President Hu Jintao said in his keynote speech to the
17th CPC National Congress; "We will strengthen our cooperation
with the democratic parties, support them and personages without
party affiliation in better performing their functions of
participation in the deliberation and administration of state
affairs and democratic oversight, and select and recommend a
greater number of outstanding non-CPC persons for leading
positions."
The white paper states that by the end of 2006, 31,000
democratic party members and personages without party affiliation
took government official posts at and above the county level.
Wan Gang and Chen Zhu, now minister of science and technology
and minister of health, have been the first non-Communist cabinet
appointments since the late 1970s when China launched its economic
reform and opening up.
Political observers have said that to appoint non-CPC member
cabinet minister is an important move towards implementing and
improving the system of multi-party cooperation and political
consultation under the leadership of the CPC.
Zhuang said that no special political requirements are required
for democratic party members and personages without party
affiliation to be appointed top officials. The system provides a
very good platform for political participation and discussion, thus
allowing it to draw upon a diverse range of talents to help the
government in policy-making.
(China.org.cn by staff reporter Zhang Yunxing November 16,
2007)
