Editor's note : A Beijing Review reporter Miao Xiaoyang recently interviewed five members of the CPPCC National Committee to thresh out their views on the nation's modernization process and the challenges inherent therein.

Last November, a decision on major issues concerning comprehensively deepening China's reform was adopted at the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee. The document states that the general goal of the reform is to improve and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, and to promote the modernization of the national governance system and its capacity.

As a result, governance modernization became a major topic of discussion during this year's full sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the national advisory body of the country.

A critical time

Zhou Wenzhang, CPPCC National Committee member and former Vice President of Chinese Academy of Governance

"Pushing forward the modernization of the national governance system and capacity is a choice that has been made in response to historical trends," said Zhou Wenzhang.

Zhou told Beijing Review that China has entered a new historical stage of reform and development, which is a critical point for the transformation of government functions. Confronted with increasing social conflicts and risks, severe challenges in fighting against corruption and a lack of strict and effective constraints on the exercise of power, it is difficult for the country to continue to maintain long-term social stability through the existing administrative control mindset, he added.

"The modernization of the governance system is an important issue with far-reaching historical and practical significance," commented Zhou Mingwei.

Zhou Mingwei, CPPCC National Committee member and President of China International Publishing Group

At present, Chinese society and the country's economic development model have become increasingly diversified. In this situation, the original management system does not work well, so a new philosophy of governance should be developed to meet the needs of today, Zhou Mingwei said.

Zhou added that it is the right time to concentrate on governance modernization. He said that in the more than 30 years of reform and opening up, China has grown faster and solved more complicated problems than other countries. "The experience China has accumulated in the process will be indispensable during the modernization drive," he noted.

Chi Fulin, CPPCC National Committee member and President of China Institute for Reform and Development based in Hainan Province

Fulin told Beijing Review that modern governance philosophy and capacity will be the foundation upon which the modernization of the nation as a whole is built.

Chi said that to achieve this modernization, well-planned institutional arrangements should be put in place first for the functions of the government, market and society and sound public order should be established.

Chi stressed that the people's status as the master of the country should be guaranteed. "The Constitution and the laws should be the supreme authority in public governance so that everyone is equal in front of the law," he commented. "Social stability and social order should be effectively maintained. Chi added that there should also be coordination between central and local governments and between the roles of the government and society.

According to Chi, three tasks will need to be accomplished to push forward governance modernization. First, the rule of law should be enhanced, judicial and procuratorial powers should be exercised independently according to law, and administrative interference into the judicial process should be avoided. Second, on the basis of delegating, dividing and restricting power, the government should shift to providing public services and focus on establishing efficient governance structures. Third, the government should invigorate social organizations and help them enhance self-development capacity, spur the growth of non-profit organizations, promote the transformation of quasi-official social organizations, and encourage social organizations to participate in public affairs, so as to prevent and resolve social conflicts.