CCTV:

The CPC Central Committee issued the regulations of the CPC on political consultation in June this year. Can you brief us on the purpose and the main contents of the regulations? In addition, can you brief us on the impact of the regulations on multiparty cooperation? How will the CPPCC organize and carry out political consultation in accordance with the regulations?

Chen Wenjun:

These questions involve both the United Front Work Department and the CPPCC National Committee. Let's invite Ms. Chen from the United Front Work Department to answer first.

Chen Xu:

Thank you for your questions, and I will make some briefings first. First, we should talk about what political consultation is. Political consultation refers to consultation led by the CPC and conducted between the CPC and other political parties and representatives from all sectors of society on the major policies of the Party and the country, major issues concerning economic and social development, and other important affairs. Therefore, the regulations were promulgated to strengthen the Party's leadership of political consultation and make it more scientific, institutionalized, and standard, uphold and improve the system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC, and consolidate and develop the patriotic united front. The document issued in June this year, on further implementing General Secretary Xi Jinping's important thinking on the Party's united front work in the new era and strengthening and improving the work of the CPPCC under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, made comprehensive regulations regarding political consultation. The regulations consist of 31 articles in eight chapters. The first chapter, general provisions, consists of five articles, mainly clarifying the purpose and basis of the regulations, the definition, role, and basic modes of political consultation, and the guiding and important principles of political consultation. The second chapter, organization, leadership, and responsibilities, consists of four articles, mainly clarifying the specific responsibilities of the CPC Central Committee, local Party committees at all levels, the united front work departments, and the leading Party groups of the CPPCC in political consultation. The third chapter, contents and objects of political consultation, consists of four articles, mainly clarifying some substantive content of political consultation. The fourth to seventh chapters, refer to activity preparation, implementation, outcome application, and feedback, respectively, and guarantee mechanisms of political consultation, consisting of 16 articles in total, mainly clarifying the procedural content of political consultation. The eighth chapter, supplementary provisions, consists of two articles on the final interpretation and the date of implementation of the regulations.

The regulations are the first intra-Party regulations specifically designed by the CPC Central Committee to regulate political consultation and are the guidelines for political consultation in the new era. As for the role and influence of the regulations on multiparty cooperation, the formulation and implementation of the regulations is conducive to strengthening the Party's leadership over political consultation, improving the quality and efficiency of political consultation, upholding and improving China's new type of political party system, and better leveraging the role of multiparty cooperation to consolidate and develop the patriotic united front in the new era. It is also conducive for non-CPC personnel to contributing advice to decision-making, building consensus, pooling wisdom, and making greater contributions to building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

That's all I have for now. Thank you.

Zou Jiayi:

Let me answer the second part of your question on how we carry out political consultation via the CPPCC. The regulations of the CPC on political consultation work stipulate that consultation of political parties and political consultation of the CPPCC are two basic methods of political consultation. Political consultation of the CPPCC is conducted in the CPPCC by the CPC with other political parties and representatives from all walks of life. It is an integral part of the system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC, with a glorious tradition and political advantages.

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has visited CPPCC members many times during annual NPC and CPPCC sessions and participated in the joint group meetings of the CPPCC to discuss state affairs with CPPCC members. Such familiar expositions as fostering a cordial and clean relationship between government and business and upholding and improving China's new political party system were made by Xi in discussing state affairs with CPPCC members. These examples are vivid expressions of the CPPCC's political consultative practice. The CPPCC has attached great importance to the study and implementation of the regulations, performed its duties as stipulated in the regulations, organized its political consultations in accordance with the procedures and methods required by the regulations, and upheld the Party's leadership throughout the whole process and all aspects of its political consultations. All of its efforts are made to better serve the Party's and the country's overall interests.

First, we have implemented the annual consultation plan. We have focused on national principles and policies, important local measures, critical issues of making progress in the economic, political, cultural, social, and eco-environmental fields, and important issues regarding the united front. As a result, we have proposed the agenda for the annual consultation based on soliciting opinions from relevant parties, drafted an annual consultation plan to be submitted to the CPC Standing Committee meeting of the CPPCC for confirmation, and implemented it after it was deliberated and adopted according to procedures.

Second, we have conducted surveys and research. We have innovated survey forms, improved research methods, and promoted research on special topics, joint research, video research, independent research, and commissioned research for in-depth research results to lay a solid foundation for high-quality political consultation.

Third, we have made effective use of multiple consultation forms. In terms of the characteristics of different consultation forms, such as CPPCC plenary sessions, standing committee meetings for political deliberations on special topics, forums on specific subjects, and consultative seminars, we have improved the organizing method for the meetings by matching the forms of meetings with consultation contents to increase the efficiency of political consultation.

Fourth, we have focused on building and enhancing consensus. We need to engage in genuine consultation and deepen interactions and exchanges. We must deepen understanding and build consensus by seeking common ground while shelving and narrowing differences. We work to build consensus among all sectors of the society on the propositions of the CPC and translate them into actions, and rally the strengths of all sectors around the CPC to expand the convergence of interests.

Fifth, we have fully used the achievements from consultation activities and sought feedback. We have reviewed these achievements without delay and promoted their application for the reference of sound decision-making and effective policy implementation. Thank you.