Fact Check
A democracy that works
Editorial  ·  2021-12-04  ·   Source: NO.49 DECEMBER 9, 2021

A country's political system depends on its individual economic, social, historical and cultural background. China's whole-process people's democracy subsequently is a model specifically designed for the Chinese context.

Fundamental to the whole-process people's democracy is to have the population truly in charge of the country, with the rights to vote and participate in public affairs. All political procedures stipulated by the laws in place must be executed to ensure the exercise of power is for the people and subject to their scrutiny.

Upholding the citizens' status as masters of their country has been a commitment of the Communist Party of China (CPC) since its founding 100 years ago. The Constitution of the People's Republic of China stipulates that all power in China belongs to the people, and they shall, in accordance with legal provisions, manage state affairs, economic and cultural undertakings and social matters. This clause determines that China's socialist democracy is innately equipped with a whole-process feature, which ventures well beyond electoral equality to enable the public to have its say in the general course of governance.

In China, the people exercise state power through the National People's Congress and local people's congresses, roughly equivalent to U.S. legislatures. Deputies at the county and township levels are directly elected; those above the county level, indirectly. The task befalls upon all deputies to communicate with their constituencies and represent them on the political stage.

China also highly values consultation, mainly conducted through the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which involves members from non-CPC parties and various social sectors. Matters of public concern are debated by the people's congresses, CPPCC national and local committees and other stakeholders before major decisions are finalized.

The whole-process people's democracy is a new model of political advancement, rooted and grown in China's soil. It is unacceptable the U.S. uses democracy as a tool to interfere in the affairs of other nations. The American definition of "democracy" does not necessarily work wonders; instead, its flaws, including many empty election promises, are rising to the surface as this age of change we live in advances.

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