Members from the ethnic minorities and religious sectors walk toward the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, as the third session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) opens on March 4 2025. Photo: VCG

China's annual two sessions concluded recently, marking a significant event in the country's political calendar. While the National People's Congress (NPC) is often referred to as China's "parliament," the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) plays an equally vital but less understood role in China's political system. The fact that the CPPCC meets alongside the NPC highlights a unique feature of China's democracy: the integration of political consultation into governance, ensuring that diverse voices are considered in decision-making processes.

A political tradition preserved across the ages

Consultative democracy is a deeply rooted political tradition in China. As early as some 3,000 years ago, consultation and consensus-building were already an important part of the governance of the Zhou Dynasty, with practices like "village discussions" (xiāng yì) and "court deliberations" (cháo yì) institutionalizing the role of dialogue in decision-making. This tradition echoes the Confucian ideal of "harmony in diversity," and has continued throughout Chinese history, with scholar-officials and imperial conferences playing key roles in advising rulers of successive dynasties. 

The modern practice of consultative democracy in China can be traced back to the Chongqing negotiations in 1945. As the nation sought to rebuild after years of war, the Communist Party of China (CPC) engaged in extensive political consultations with various democratic parties and social groups. These efforts culminated in the Political Consultative Conference in Chongqing, where the CPC, under the leadership of figures like Zhou Enlai, worked to forge unity and promote peace. Although the agreements reached were later brushed aside by Chiang Kai-shek, the spirit of consultation laid the groundwork for a new form of democracy in China.

A cornerstone in the founding of the nation

The true institutionalization of consultative democracy came with the establishment of the CPPCC in 1949. As the nation prepared to found the People's Republic of China, the First Plenary Session of the CPPCC was held in Beijing. It was a grand assembly of unity, attended by not only CPC members, but also representatives from other political parties, social groups, ethnic groups, and various social sectors. Over the course of several days, they deliberated on the future of the nation, and adopted the Common Program - the provisional constitution of the new China. Key decisions, such as the name of the country (People's Republic of China), the capital (Beijing), the national anthem (March of the Volunteers), the national flag (the Five-Starred Red Flag), and the calendar system (the Common Era), were also made during this historic session. This was the final and vital step before the birth of the People's Republic of China.

At the time, with the NPC not set to be established for another five years, the CPPCC acted as the de facto legislative body, a role that underscored its importance in shaping the new nation.

A promoter of China's whole-process people's democracy

The CPPCC later stepped back from its legislative duties, leaving them to the NPC, but it didn't step away. Instead, it found a new calling in China's whole-process people's democracy - one of dialogue, consultation, and connection, serving as both a sounding board for public opinion and a mechanism for fostering social cohesion and better governance.

CPPCC members, recommended by their respective political parties, ethnic groups and social sectors, are mostly renowned scholars, entrepreneurs, artists, and community leaders, thus representing the full spectrum of society. They travel across the country, listen to the hopes and concerns of the people, and bring these insights back to the table. Before and during the formation of policies and decisions, the government would carefully consider the proposals of the CPPCC, as a way to include, as widely as possible, different opinions of the society.

From its historical roots to its modern evolution, China's consultative democracy exemplifies the adaptability and resilience of the nation's political wisdom. In a complex world full of changes, such wisdom offers a unique model of governance, one that balances unity with diversity, ensures that the voices of the people are heard, and fosters dialogue, cooperation, and progress. 

The story of China's consultative democracy is not just a chapter in history, but a living narrative of an enduring belief of the Chinese nation that together, we can build a better future.

The author is a Beijing-based international affairs commentator. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn