Newspaper Editorial Hails Opening of CPPCC SessionOur Daily hails Saturday the opening of the fourth session of the Ninth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).In an editorial, the paper says the 10-day session, which began Saturday, is of great significance as CPPCC National Committee members will offer their advices and proposals to the central government for the formulation of a national economic and social development program for the next five years, among other things. It says a good beginning this year is important for the realization of the country's 10th five-year (2001-2005) plan for economic and social development and achievement of its third-stage strategic development target for the coming five decades. People of all ethnic groups and from all walks of life should continue to promote economic development and all other causes under the guidance of the basic theory and policies of the Communist Party of China, says the editorial. It says that reform and opening up, and technological progress should be the driving force for the country's development and that improving people's standard of living should be the ultimate goal. The editorial reviews major events that took place last year in China and major contributions CPPCC made during the year. These include the fulfillment of the ninth five-year plan (1996-2000), contributions the CPPCC made to the formulation of the 10th five-year plan, and the implementation of the strategy of developing west China. Over the past half century, the CPPCC has played an irreplaceable role in the political, economic and social life of the country and has accumulated abundant and valuable experience, it says. Unity and democracy are the two major themes the CPPCC has always grasped and followed in the past, it says, adding the CPPCC has been the locomotive for the great solidarity of people of all ethnic groups and an enthusiastic practitioner of socialist democracy. The editorial defines the democracy of the CPPCC as a democracy whose main content is to hold consultations and discussions, make comments, raise proposals and exercise democratic supervision, and as a people's democracy with Chinese characteristics. The CPPCC is the patriotic and united front organization of the Chinese people, with the broadest representation organizationally and the greatest inclusiveness politically, it says. The paper describes CPPCC as an important form of socialist and democratic politics in the interests of the general public that suits actual conditions in China. Upholding and constantly improving this form of democracy is the natural need and important content for developing socialist democratic politics and building socialism with Chinese characteristics, it says. The editorial concludes by saying that the CPPCC will further promote standardization and institutionalization of political consultation and democratic supervision, and participation in and discussion of state affairs to make greater contributions to the country's development under the leadership of the CPC Central Committe with Jiang Zemin at the core. |
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