China will continue to strengthen guidance on the united front work so that it will play more important roles in political affairs and the development of socialist democracy, said an official on Monday.
Ma Lihuai, deputy head of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, briefed the media on the development of socialist democracy and the united front during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2020-2025).
"The united front is a powerful tool for rallying people and gathering strength, and a crucial part of the whole-process people's democracy system. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, proposed the organic combination of the Party’s leadership, the united front, and consultative democracy from the strategic perspective of developing socialist democracy and comprehensively building a modern socialist country. This initiative aims to strengthen the Party's overall leadership over united front work, improve the overall framework for united front work, and promote remarkable achievements in this work. We will give full play to the united front's political role in rallying people and gathering strength, correctly balance unity and diversity, fully promote democracy, respect and embrace differences, and foster greater harmony among political parties, ethnic groups, religions, social classes, and compatriots at home and abroad, thereby pooling extensive wisdom and strength for China's modernization drive," Ma said.
"We focus on enhancing the effectiveness of China's political party system, continuously improving mechanisms such as informed governance, consultation and feedback. We support democratic parties and non-affiliates in providing advice and suggestions on the central tasks of the Party and the country, so as to play a positive role in scientific decision-making and effective policy implementation. We also support non-CPC personages in holding leadership positions in the people's congress, government, and judicial organs at all levels, participating in the development of national power, and playing an important role in the people's political consultative conference, demonstrating the unique advantages of China's political system.
"Sticking to the principle of strengthening the sense of community among the Chinese nation, we will uphold and improve the system of regional ethnic autonomy, promote the common progress of all ethnic groups towards socialist modernization, consolidate and develop socialist ethnic relations based on equality, unity, mutual assistance, and harmony, and continuously advance the building of a community of the Chinese nation. We fully implement the Party's theories, principles, and policies on religious work in the new era, systematically promote the principle of developing religions in the Chinese context, strengthen the rule of law in the governance of religious affairs, and take new steps to adapt religion to socialist society," he said.
"We have strengthened political guidance and coordinated interests to support non-CPC intellectuals and members of emerging social strata in their pursuit of innovation and creativity and their orderly participation in political life. We have provided guidance for private entrepreneurs to strengthen their confidence in development and actively fulfill their social responsibilities, making important contributions to maintaining political stability and unity and promoting high-quality economic and social development. Focusing on winning over the hearts and minds of the people, we firmly support the development of forces that love the country, Hong Kong, and Macao, those that support patriotic unification on the Taiwan island, and those that support patriotism abroad. The confidence of Chinese people at home and abroad in achieving and sharing the Chinese Dream has become even stronger, and their actions have become even more resolute," Ma said.
China to strengthen guidance on united front work: official
