Social Sciences in China (Chinese Edition)

No. 12, 2021

The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Seen from the Democratic Horizon of the “Two Sessions System”: The Important Political Institution of Whole-Process People’s Democracy

(Abstract)

Jiang Zelin

General Secretary Xi Jinping has put forward the major idea of whole-process people’s democracy. This idea provides theoretical sources for the Party and the state to ensure the people’s position as the masters of the country and to carry out multiple forms of democracy, giving more clearly democratic values to the system of the People’s Congresses and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) (i.e. the “Two Sessions system”). The democracy of the “Two Sessions system” is an important institutional form of whole-process people’s democracy. The nature and position of the CPPCC as a dedicated consultative body marks the establishment and maturity of the democracy of the “Two Sessions system.” From the point of view of the democracy of the “Two Sessions system,” this paper analyzes the distinctive contribution of the innovative development of Marxist democracy, the transformation of Chinese fine traditional culture, and its original contribution to human civilization. It also discusses how the CPPCC is positioned and empowered and its operational mechanism. These discussions are of importance for grasping the institutional characteristics and advantages of socialist democracy with Chinese characteristics, which will help us further enhance confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of “governing China.”