Democratic centralism 

Democratic centralism is a fundamental principle that guides the exercise of organizational and leadership responsibilities in China's governance structure. It calls for a fully democratic process in collective deliberation that ensures the unrestricted expression of wishes and views of the people and the collection of useful ideas and suggestions. Decision-making is done collectively on the basis of such a process, so that people's expectations and needs can be satisfied. Democratic centralism also calls for respecting the opinions of the majority while protecting minority rights. It rejects anarchic democracy on the one hand and any tendency to allow the will of a single individual to override collective wisdom on the other. It defines the relationship between officials and the public, between superiors and subordinates, between parts and the whole, and between organizations and individuals. Ultimately, it is vital for the unity of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the nation in the furtherance of China's goals.

Regional ethnic autonomy 

China is a multiethnic country, a union of 56 ethnic groups that have been recognized by the Central Government. The Han ethnic group has the largest population, while the other 55 are minority groups. Compared with various approaches to ethnic issues in other nations with multiethnic makeups, China's approach focuses on regional ethnic autonomy. Under the leadership of the Central Government, self-governance is exercised in regions with large ethnic minority populations, where local affairs are administered by local autonomous governing bodies. Regional ethnic autonomy is a basic component of China's political system.

The policies of the CPC and the Central Government on regional ethnic autonomy were codified into law and promulgated on May 1, 1984 as the Law on Regional Ethnic Autonomy. The law was revised on February 28, 2001 in response to new developments. There are currently 155 ethnic autonomous areas in China designated in accordance with the Constitution and law—five autonomous regions, 30 autonomous prefectures, and 120 autonomous counties.

Community with a shared future 

Building a community with a shared future is one of the key ideas proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. By the end of May 2015, he had spoken about this topic on more than 60 occasions. He brought up this idea for the first time in an address at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in March 2013. "In today's world, countries are connected to and dependent on one another to a degree never seen before. We all live in the same global village, in a space where the past and the present meet, and in a community with a shared future in which everyone has a little bit of others in him- or herself," he said.

In his keynote speech at the Boao Forum for the Asia Annual Conference in March 2015, President Xi set out the principles for building a community with a shared future. He emphasized the need for all countries to respect one another and treat each other as equals, and cooperate in search of win-win solutions and common development. Achieving common, comprehensive, collaborative, and sustainable security, and maintaining mutually enriching and beneficial interactions among civilizations in a spirit of inclusiveness are also paramount. Earlier in March 2013 during his visit to Tanzania, he said that history shows that China and Africa have always found themselves facing similar odds. Similar historical experiences, common development tasks and shared strategic interests have bound them together.