The CPPCC is an organization of the patriotic united front of the
Chinese people. It is an important organization of multi-party
cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the
CPC. It is composed of the CPC, other political parties, mass
organizations, different ethnic groups and representative public
personages from all walks of life, representatives of compatriots
of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao as well as of returned overseas
Chinese and other specially invited people.
The system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation
under the leadership of the CPC is a basic political system in
China. China is a country of many ethnic groups and many political
parties. Before the state adopts important measures or makes
decisions on issues having a bearing on the national economy and
the people's livelihood, full consultation among representative
figures from different quarters is conducted in order to strengthen
the unity and cooperation among various ethnic groups, political
parties, different walks of life in the society and personages
without affiliation with any political parties so as to push
forward the development of socialist construction. Ever since the
founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, many major
issues concerning economic construction, political life, social
life and the united front have gone through consultation in the
CPPCC. Such consultation may take the form of full discussion and
repeated exchanges of opinions so that the policies, regulations
and laws taken by the state are adequate and well-prepared, in
conformity with the demands and wishes of the great majority of the
people and in due respect to the rational ideas of the minority.
The practice of consultation before decisions are made is an
important characteristics and advantage of the socialist democratic
system in China.
The Constitution of China stipulates that the system of multi-party
cooperation and political consultation shall continue to exist and
develop. The CPPCC, an important organizational form of this basic
system, will further play a significant role in the political and
social life in China and its friendly exchanges with foreign
countries, the modernization drive, maintaining the integrity of
the country and strengthening the unity among all ethnic
groups.
(China.org.cn May 20, 2003)