BEIJING, Sept. 22  -- Democracy is defined not only by people's right to vote in an election, also the right to participate in political affairs on a daily basis.

China's consultative democracy, through which the public are consulted and decisions are made on state affairs concerning political, economic, cultural and social issues, is a uniquely superior system in its ability to reach a general consensus.

In China, political advisory bodies are major platforms to pool wisdom and form consensus among the masses, based on which the country's governance can be solid and sound.

The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), founded in September 1949, was authorized to conduct political consultation, exercise democratic supervision and participate in the discussion and the handling of state affairs.

The CPPCC serves as a key mechanism for multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Though not a decision-making body, the CPPCC has played a vital role as it has helped steer decision-making on major issues ranging from five-year development guidelines and industrial restructuring to instituting the Food Safety Law and establishing the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone.

Most of the CPPCC members are experienced political figures, social celebrities, and experts and academics specializing in various fields.

Through consultation with the people, various voices can be heard and consensus reached on decisions and work, and demands of different interest groups can be incorporated into decisions smoothly.

Through consultative democracy, the CPC realizes its commitment to represent the basic interests of all people and to serve the people, heart and soul.

However, the CPPCC has been criticized as "political flower vase" or a mere accessory to the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.

Democracy is not a decoration but a means of solving problems. Socialist consultative democracy is a democratic process to pool wisdom and form consensus and should not be superficial.

The CPPCC should provide concrete suggestions and good solutions for the promotion of scientific development and deepening reforms as well as for issues which are of most concern to the people.

Political advisors should have courage to tell the truth and raise criticism over problems, play an important role in enhancing consultative democracy in various forms and improve their capacity to conduct research and connect with the people.