Chen Wenjun:

One last question.

Xinhua:

Over the past 70-plus years, what experience and inspiration has the CPC drawn from its cooperation with other political parties and non-affiliates?

Xu Yousheng:

China's political party system has experienced more than 70 years of development. As you just mentioned, many good experiences and practices have been had during the years when the CPC worked together closely with other political parties. They can be summarized in the following four aspects:

First, upholding the leadership of the CPC. As I mentioned just now, this acts as a fundamental guarantee for the sound development of multiparty cooperation. Leadership by the CPC is the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It is also the most distinctive feature of China's political party system. As I just mentioned, the CPC's role in leading the country is the choice of history, of the people, and of other political parties. We must unswervingly uphold CPC leadership so that the system of multiparty cooperation can be continuously improved and develop in the right direction.

Second, upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, which is the common ideological and political foundation for the sound development of the multiparty cooperation system. We say that the multiparty cooperation system is derived from consensus. History and reality have proved that only socialism can save China, and only socialism with Chinese characteristics can develop China and realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. It should be said that this is also the common ideal and common cause of the CPC as well as other political parties.

Third, making solid progress in improving the institutional framework for multiparty cooperation, which is an important guarantee for the sound development of the multiparty cooperation system. When talking of a system, we speak of long-term and stable goals. Through prolonged practices and explorations, we have gradually established a complete set of theoretical and institutional systems, which are based on the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, with the CPC's internal regulations and documents and the consensus documents of other political parties as the criteria, comprehensively and systematically regulating the work of multiparty cooperation. For example, the consultation between political parties that Mr. Sang just introduced involves many institutional regulations, which are very complete. These institutional regulations are conducive to the scientific, standardized, and systematic development of multiparty cooperation and have effectively improved the efficiency of the multiparty cooperation system.

Fourth, focus on party building of both the CPC and non-CPC political parties, as this is the organizational foundation for the sound development of the multiparty cooperation system. The CPC, together with non-CPC political parties, is the main body of the multiparty cooperation system. In order to give better play to its advantages and function, we must strengthen the party building of the CPC as well as non-CPC political parties. Only by learning from each other and promoting common progress can the quality and level of the multiparty cooperation system be improved. Thank you for your question.

Chen Wenjun:

Today's press conference is hereby concluded. Thank you to all the speakers and all of our friends from the media.

Translated and edited by Zhang Liying, Wang Qian, Gong Yingchun, Li Xiao, Wang Yanfang, Cui Can, Zhou Jing, Liu Jianing, Liu Qiang, Mi Xingang, Yuan Fang, Zhang Rui, Huang Shan, Zhu Bochen, Wang Yiming, Li Huiru, Zhang Junmian, David Ball, Jay Birbeck, and Tom Arnstein. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.