Q: In every country, the ruling party manifests its will
in the policies it adopts. How does the CPC, which advocates
"running the Party for the public good," formulate polices that
embody its own will? How does it balance the interests of different
groups?
A: In most countries, laws usually reflect the interests of the
ruling class, whereas in China, the laws are essentially an
embodiment of both the CPC's propositions and the people's
aspirations, as the CPC represents the interests of all Chinese
people. Exercising state power for the people in accordance with
the law means that the CPC should use its state power for the
benefit of the people and in compliance with their will.
Therefore, the CPC always adheres to a principled approach when
formulating laws, seeing to it that every law is conducive to
tapping into the superiority of socialism, giving full scope of the
initiative of the people, maintaining the unity, ethnic solidarity
and social stability of the country, and promoting economic
development and all-round social progress.
The constitution, as the fundamental charter of a country, most
notably embodies the country's nature. Take the amendment of the
Chinese Constitution in 1982, for example. The whole project took
two years and three months, four months of which were devoted by
the NPC Standing Committee to a nationwide discussion on the draft
amendment. The grand-scale discussion was unprecedented in the
history of China's legal development, in terms of participation.
The Political Bureau and the Secretariat of the CPC Central
Committee also held eight discussions. The CPC's propositions and
public opinions were fully combined, making the draft increasingly
better. On December 4, 1982, the draft amendment to the
Constitution, which had been revised again and again, was submitted
to the Fifth Session of the Fifth NPC for approval. As many as
3,037 of the 3,040 deputies who took part in the secret ballot
voted in favor, with only three abstentions, accounting for less
than 0.1 percent. The result testified to the fact that the new
Constitution was the fruit of democracy and its formulation
exemplified adherence to the CPC's leadership, participatory
democracy and strict observance of law. It's no wonder that this
new Constitution was highly regarded at home and abroad.
Additionally, the CPC consults with the non-communist parties
before releasing significant documents, deliberating major issues
and adopting important decisions. In 2004, the CPC Central
Committee held 18 consultations and symposiums with non-communist
parties. The State Council also hosts briefings on issues such as
economic development every quarter of the year to solicit opinions
and suggestions from the central committees of the other parties,
leaders of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and
prominent persons without party affiliation. A total of 115
proposals as well as 2,500 messages reflecting the social status
quo and public aspirations were put forward on these occasions. The
proposals and messages were all handled and given feedback in a
timely manner. They provided important references for the CPC to
make its decisions democratic and scientific.
In China, the CPC, the party in power, leads the people in
formulating the Constitution and laws as well as in observing and
implementing them. It also stipulates that its organizations at all
levels shall exercise state power and conduct activities in
accordance with the scope, procedures, contents and means
prescribed by the Constitution and laws. At present, how to
properly negotiate the relationship between the CPC's leadership
and the rule of law is an important aspect of the ongoing reform of
the political system.