China commits to whole-process democracy, rule of law

The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) opens at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct 16, 2022. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

The report delivered by Xi Jinping at the opening session of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China outlined a vision for the nation as a modern socialist country that upholds whole-process people’s democracy and the rule of law, experts say.

It is important to see the desire, vision and mission of the CPC to continue to pursue building a Chinese society based on whole-process people’s democracy, sustainable development, and socialist rule of law, said Anna Malindog-Uy, director and vice-president for external affairs of the Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute.

Xi’s report highlighted key topics including whole-process people’s democracy, rule of law, as well as the full and rigorous Party self-governance.

Meanwhile, the CPC is also committed to pursuing and promoting high-quality development, technological advancement and economic development that put a premium on China’s historical rights, said Malindog-Uy, noting such aspirations offer inspiration for developing countries and the world.

It is important to see the desire, vision and mission of the CPC to continue to pursue building a Chinese society based on whole-process people’s democracy, sustainable development, and socialist rule of law, said Anna Malindog-Uy, director and vice-president for external affairs of the Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute

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“In the midst of all the upheaval, the world urgently needs a robust Chinese economy underpinned by strict legal standards, honest government officials, and a fair judiciary,” said Glenn Wijaya, an adviser to the Center for Indonesia-China Studies.

Wijaya said Xi’s frequent allusion to the essential principles of the Chinese constitution, including support for Chinese democracy, serves as a reminder that constitutional ideals are not merely catchphrases, but rather the cornerstones of all a nation does.

“China does not require any unfavorable criticisms of its democratic model or of the way it enforces its territorial integrity,” said Wijaya, adding that he is certain that China has what it takes to lead the world out of the economic doldrums.

"I especially commend Xi for promoting consultative democracy where people run the country and all power belongs to people in a socialist” country, said Joeffrey Maddatu Calimag, president of the Council of ASEAN Professors in the Republic of Korea.

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While China has stepped-up its efforts in improving the quality of life of its citizens, the report clearly promotes a sound foreign policy that positions the country as a partner of others, said Calimag, who is also a professor of International Business and Economics at the School of Global Studies at Kyungsung University in the ROK.

“China is one of the safest countries in the world,” said Ebrahim Hashem, an Asia Global Fellow at the University of Hong Kong’s Asia Global Institute and former adviser to the chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office.

Hashem said the CPC’s seriousness to crack down on corruption and reinforce the rule of law is obvious for everybody to see as has been illustrated in the recent sentencing of a former judge and minister.

Fu Zhenghua, former minister of justice, received a suspended death sentence for accepting bribes and flouting the law, by the Intermediate People’s Court of Changchun in Jilin province, on Sept 22.

The Communist Party of China opens its 20th National Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Oct 16, 2022. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Noting the theme of the CPC’s self-reform is repeatedly emphasized by Chinese leaders, especially Xi, who highlighted the subject of self-reform and self-renewal in his speech on Oct 16, Hashem said it is a must to reform the Party and adapt to domestic and international changes in order to achieve China’s development goals.

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Jan Robert Go, assistant professor at the Department of Political Science at the University of the Philippines, said what is highlighted in the whole-process people’s democracy is the totality of being democratic.

“It is not simply about the individual rights, but the balancing of each voice in the society, and all these voices contribute to the decision-making process in the various levels of government,” said Go.

Through the report, Xi is trying to remind the Party of its roots, Go said. “The Party should consolidate itself and keep its strength,” he said.

Lee Nam-ju, professor of Chinese studies at Sungkonghoe University in Seoul, said the report clearly presented China’s strategy for realizing the goal of building a modernized socialist country.

“It is hoped that China clearly presenting its development goals and mid-to long-term plans in a situation of increasing uncertainty can act as a positive factor for the stability of the world,” said Lee.

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The report not only presented China’s development model as a Chinese-style modernization but also contains the direction that other countries should also pursue, said Lee.

“If China makes substantial progress in this area, it will be able to provide a new impetus for international cooperation,” said Lee.

The goal of building China into a modern socialist country also represented CPC’s global vision for a world that is free of poverty, war, conflict and discrimination, said Joseph Matthews, a senior professor at the BELTEI International University in Phnom Penh

The goal of building China into a modern socialist country also represented CPC’s global vision for a world that is free of poverty, war, conflict and discrimination, said Joseph Matthews, a senior professor at the BELTEI International University in Phnom Penh.

Xi’s emphasis on the rule of law showed that the Party will not give favor to anybody irrespective of their position or the influence in the Party, said Matthews, adding the rule of law is key to building a modern socialist country.

“Xi Jinping’s speech reflects China’s strong effort to improve the well-being of the Chinese people,” said Pongphisoot Busbarat, assistant professor at the Department of International Relations at the Chulalongkorn University in Thailand.

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Encouraging inclusivity in domestic politics will allow more people to voice their aspirations to the government, said Pongphisoot, adding that strengthening domestic institutions and consultative mechanisms with people participation at every level will benefit the government and enable the Party to address their problems and concerns correctly.

Noting Xi also outlined China’s development objectives for the year 2035, Pongphisoot said these are most welcome by other countries especially those in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as they would provide an opportunity to reinvigorate China-ASEAN ties. 

kelly@chinadailyapac.com