Backgrounder: Multi-Party Cooperation & Political Consultation System

The multi-party cooperation and political consultation system under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is one of China's basic political systems.

China is a multi-party country. Except the CPC, China's ruling party, the country has eight non-Communist parties. They are the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, the China Democratic League, the China Democratic National Construction Association, the China Association for Promoting Democracy, the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, the China Zhi Gong Party, the Jiu San Society, and the Taiwan Democratic Self- Government League.

Before major decisions concerning the national economy and people's livelihood are made, the CPC would consult with the non- Communist parties and personages without party affiliation to seek a consensus.

Non-Communist parties and non-party personages have representatives in the National People's Congress and its standing committee and subcommittees and in people's congresses at various levels. In this way, they have been able to take an active part in the running of state affairs and play a supervisory role. They also recommend non-Communist party members and personages with no party affiliation for leading posts of governments and judicial organs at various levels.

The multi-party cooperation and political consultation system under the leadership of the CPC took shape and developed in a long period of revolution and economic construction. "Long-term coexistence, mutual supervision, treating each other sincerely and sharing weal and woe" is a historical summation of CPC's cooperation with the non-Communist parties as well as a principle for their mutual cooperation.

The CPC is the ruling party in China. The eight non-Communist parties are political organizations having connections with people of particular social circles. They are friends of the CPC and are working together with the latter to advance the socialist cause in the country. They are parties that take part in the running of state affairs, which cover the formulation of major state policies, the election of government leaders, the enactment of laws and regulations, and law enforcement, among others.






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