Voices heard under united front work

System's advantages

Zhang Xiansheng, the former director of the united front research office, said: "Can a country's political party system be a good one if it leads to social and political unrest, with constant street politics and fear among its people? A superior political party system must help maintain unity and stability."

Zhu Lijia, a professor of public administration at the National Academy of Governance, said the CPC has always focused on seeking consultation and cooperation in a democratic way with all social sectors, groups and political parties.

The rapid development of China has proved the effectiveness of the system, he said. "It can gather strength to accomplish big tasks. It's easy for society to reach a high degree of consensus in China."

"The goal of China's development is to meet the people's needs for a better life. Based on this consensus, the whole of society can coalesce to achieve stable and sustainable development," he added.

Cooperation, in which all political parties pool their resources under the leadership of the ruling one, is almost impossible in countries that follow the two-party system, Zhu said. "The opposition party will not help the ruling party to achieve its goals, and is dedicated to finding fault with the ruling party."

Wang said the purpose of supervision from the non-Communist parties under multiparty cooperation is to keep the ruling party from making mistakes.

"The political parties are like co-drivers sitting near the CPC, which is driving the bus, to remind it of the ditches and risks ahead. The common goal is to drive the bus well, instead of replacing the driver," she said.

"Such a partnership overcomes the lack of supervision in a one-party system, as well as the instability in a two-party system caused by the vicious competition among the parties and interest groups," she added.

Zhu Yongxin, the vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy, said multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the CPC's leadership can truly and extensively represent and realize the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people.

It can pool the wisdom and strength of all of society to promote development, and effectively overcome the shortcomings of the lack of consensus on various policies and work, Zhu said.

"It accords with the reality of China and the traditional culture of the Chinese nation－seeking common ground while reserving differences," he said. "It's a great contribution to the political civilization of humanity."