Newspaper Editorial Hails Opening of CPPCC
Session
Our Daily hails Saturday the opening of the fourth
session of the Ninth National Committee of the Chinese People's
Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
In an editorial, the paper says the 10-day session,
which began Saturday, is of great significance as CPPCC National
Committee members will offer their advices and proposals to the
central government for the formulation of a national economic
and social development program for the next five years, among
other things.
It says a good beginning this year is important
for the realization of the country's 10th five-year (2001-2005)
plan for economic and social development and achievement of its
third-stage strategic development target for the coming five decades.
People of all ethnic groups and from all walks
of life should continue to promote economic development and all
other causes under the guidance of the basic theory and policies
of the Communist Party of China, says the editorial.
It says that reform and opening up, and technological
progress should be the driving force for the country's development
and that improving people's standard of living should be the ultimate
goal.
The editorial reviews major events that took place
last year in China and major contributions CPPCC made during the
year.
These include the fulfillment of the ninth five-year
plan (1996-2000), contributions the CPPCC made to the formulation
of the 10th five-year plan, and the implementation of the strategy
of developing west China.
Over the past half century, the CPPCC has played
an irreplaceable role in the political, economic and social life
of the country and has accumulated abundant and valuable experience,
it says.
Unity and democracy are the two major themes the
CPPCC has always grasped and followed in the past, it says, adding
the CPPCC has been the locomotive for the great solidarity of
people of all ethnic groups and an enthusiastic practitioner of
socialist democracy.
The editorial defines the democracy of the CPPCC
as a democracy whose main content is to hold consultations and
discussions, make comments, raise proposals and exercise democratic
supervision, and as a people's democracy with Chinese characteristics.
The CPPCC is the patriotic and united front organization
of the Chinese people, with the broadest representation organizationally
and the greatest inclusiveness politically, it says.
The paper describes CPPCC as an important form of
socialist and democratic politics in the interests of the general
public that suits actual conditions in China.
Upholding and constantly improving this form of
democracy is the natural need and important content for developing
socialist democratic politics and building socialism with Chinese
characteristics, it says.
The editorial concludes by saying that the CPPCC
will further promote standardization and institutionalization
of political consultation and democratic supervision, and participation
in and discussion of state affairs to make greater contributions
to the country's development under the leadership of the CPC Central
Committe with Jiang Zemin at the core.
