The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a meeting Monday in Beijing to discuss issues on how to further strengthen multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC.

The move is of "great importance" to developing socialist democracy, maintaining social stability and unity and building a socialist harmonious society, said the meeting.

Chaired by General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Hu Jintao, the meeting discussed a draft of guidelines put forward by the CPC Central Committee on further strengthening construction of the system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC.

"Practice has shown the system conforms with the situation in China and possesses great superiority and strong vitality," the meeting said.

The meeting noted that since China's reform and opening to the outside world, important progress has been made in promoting cooperation between the CPC and democratic parties.

The democratic parties and personages without party affiliation have been playing further roles in participation in and discussion of political and government affairs and democratic supervision, it added.

The meeting stressed that development should be the fundamental task of multi-party cooperation and political consultation.

In addition, cooperation with democratic parties and personages without party affiliation should be strengthened and alliance with non-CPC members consolidated.

Promotion of socialist political civilization must proceed from China's actual conditions and persevere in taking the political development road with Chinese characteristics.

"We should draw upon the beneficial achievements in political civilization of the mankind, but never totally imitate other countries' modes of political system," the meeting said.

The guidelines discussed at the meeting have taken into consideration of opinions of the central committees of democratic parties and representatives of personages without party affiliation. They will be officially issued after further soliciting their views.