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.