China Voice: Political advisory body seeks maximum consensus, reform support

BEIJING, March 3 -- As a widely representative and inclusive political organization, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is expected to pursue maximum consensus for and contribute wisdom to China's ongoing comprehensive reform.

The conference will play its role of political consultation, democratic supervision as well as discussion and handling of state affairs, as China is tackling obstacles on the way of deepening reform.

In November last year, the country unwrapped its widest set of economic and social overhauls in three decades, further freeing up markets to put the world's second-largest economy on a more stable footing, embarking on judicial reform and relaxing its one-child policy.

To deepen this process, China needs to innovate and transform the functions of government, meaning vested interests must be stirred, which is more difficult than stirring the soul.

Thirty years since its opening-up began, China has entered deep water. Easy reforms have been completed. What is left are the tough bones that are hard to chew. The country is facing flagging growth issues, deep adjustment of interest patterns and complicated pursuits of rights.

While the success of reforms depends on united will and strength, the CPPCC plays a vital role in promoting unity and consolidating social harmony and vitality.

China's multi-party cooperation is distinct from the multi-party or two-party systems in Western countries. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), all parties participate in the discussion and managements of state affairs.

The people's political consultative mechanism provides a crucial channel for people to voice their demands, coordinate interests, and safeguard rights and interests.

Every year, more than 2,000 people, including members of the CPC and non-Communist parties, personages without party affiliation, hold national sessions to raise proposals on various issues ranging from anti-corruption and social stability to urbanization and environmental protection.

With this being such an important part of its job, the CPPCC has also started to hold bi-weekly consultative sessions to better solicit opinions from advisors and experts. Discussions and suggestions on the economic situation, workers' welfare, social justice, technological innovation, urban air pollution and renewable energies have drawn wide attention from the public.

As members of the country's think tank, political advisors are encouraged to tell the truth and enhance abilities of political supervision so as to make the decision-making mechanism more scientific and democratic.

According to official statistics, political advisors have raised more than 5,000 proposals concerning national policies and development strategies since the 12th CPPCC National Committee was formed last March. More than 99 percent of these proposals have been handled by the government.

As the CPPCC is embracing a new chapter, it is expected to play a more important role in uniting more people to understand, support and participate in the drive to realize the grand reform road-map.