Q: Every political party and political faction has its own distinct and explicit demands, as they each represent the interests of specific social groups. The question thus arises: what is the constituency of the CPC?

A: Throughout their journey, members of the CPC have consistently reminded themselves by asking the important question: Who am I, and whom do I represent?

The distinctive feature of the CPC lies in the fact that it has never sought to pursue its own special interests. Mao Zedong articulated this principle with great clarity, "The Communist Party of China serves as a political entity dedicated to the service of the nation and its people, eschewing any form of private gain."

One might question why establish a political party and exert such effort if there are no private gains involved. Yet, the reality is that the CPC is distinguished as a mission-oriented party. Karl Marx, from the very beginning, proclaimed that the proletariat's mission is the liberation of all humanity. Consequently, the CPC serves not merely as the vanguard of the proletariat but also as the vanguard of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation at large. In contemporary terms, its original aspirations and ongoing mission are to seek happiness for the Chinese people and to strive for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The CPC operates a department referred to as the "United Front." This term may initially elicit confusion and a degree of wariness amongst those not familiar with its functions. Yet, the role of the United Front is to foster unity and collaboration with a spectrum of political forces that extend beyond the CPC's foundational class support. This approach has been instrumental to the CPC's success, serving as a "secret weapon" and a pathway through which the Party broadens its social foundation and enhances its inclusiveness.

Q: The CPC asserts that it represents the interests of all the people and the entire Chinese nation. To Western observers, such a notion may appear inconceivable. The question arises: is this indeed a challenging proposition to fulfill?

A: Chinese people also hold certain doubts about the representativeness of Western political parties. Consider a scenario where a political party, securing 51% of the vote, is elected to lead the country. This outcome suggests that 49% of voters are against them. Upon assuming office, the policies they enact and the pledges they honor are predominantly tailored to the interests of the 51% who endorsed them. This situation then poses the question: how will the interests of the other 49% of voters be addressed, and how would they feel?

Shortly after the founding of the United States, the French observer Alexis de Tocqueville undertook an in-depth examination of American politics. He subsequently authored the book Democracy in America, within which he articulated apprehensions regarding the "tyranny of the majority." In contemporary times, Western societies are experiencing social fragmentation. This fragmentation is, in turn, contributing to the polarization of political parties. A direct outcome of such polarization is a marked decline in the representativeness of these parties.

An increasingly worrisome scenario is emerging as the traditional political paradigm—winning elections by capturing the support of centrist voters—is starting to falter amidst widening societal divisions. A number of candidates are becoming more averse to courting the endorsement of the moderate electorate. Victory in an election now hinges on solidly aligning with one's base supporters, rather than expending efforts to woo new centrist voters. This strategic shift suggests that the views of some voters are deemed less critical. As a result, individuals who ascend to power through the electoral process may find themselves inclined to make decisions with a more one-sided perspective.

Were this to happen in China, it would be a momentous event, not only if 49% of the electorate disagreed with the policies of the CPC, but even if just 10% did, as it would shake the very foundation of the Party's governance.

Q: The CPC represents the interests of the people, who are divided into various interest groups with diverse demands and expectations. In such a scenario, how does the CPC respond? How does it represent the different interest groups?

A: The scenario you describe was more readily addressable during the era of the planned economy that preceded reform and opening-up in 1978. Now, after more than 40 years of reform and opening-up, the easy, universally beneficial reforms that pleased everyone were already completed, and what remains are the tough issues that are difficult to address. For numerous individuals, reforms are more readily accepted when there is an expectation of personal benefit. In the absence of such gains, these individuals may adopt an indifferent stance or remain as mere onlookers. When the reforms potentially compromise their interests, opposition is a likely outcome.

In contemporary Chinese society, a phenomenon of interest differentiation and perpetuation has indeed emerged. Interest differentiation refers to the diversification of demands stemming from the stratification of social groups. In contrast, interest perpetuation denotes the establishment of relatively stable methods and pathways that certain groups utilize to secure and preserve their interests.

How should this be addressed? The CPC has a clear strategy. It involves the development and enforcement of targeted policies aimed at dismantling the barriers of interest perpetuation and reshaping the landscape of interest distribution. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the interests of the overwhelming majority of the people are accurately reflected and served.

How are policies to be formulated? Among others, two key principles should be adhered to: the first is akin to "grasping the key point like leading an ox by the nose" (which implies addressing the critical issues of great concern to the people); the second principle involves "balancing and considering the interests of all parties."

The phrase "grasping the key point like leading an ox by the nose" signifies the importance of concentrating efforts on the most significant concerns that affect the people, thus propelling comprehensive transformation. The analogy of guiding an ox by the nose suggests that the most effective point of control is utilized; attempting to lead an ox by tying a rope elsewhere on its body, where its strength exceeds that of the leader, would be ineffective. A pertinent example of this principle in action is China's vigorous campaign against poverty, which epitomizes the strategy of addressing the most crucial issues first.

Q: Representing the interests of disadvantaged groups and poverty alleviation is considered an inherent obligation for any ruling party. Yet, how does the CPC address the demands of the middle-income group and emerging higher-income strata, including private enterprise owners, who have largely grown their businesses beyond the realm of the state-owned economy?

A: The strategy is to "balance and consider the interests of all parties," a principle that exemplifies the extensive representativeness of the CPC.

Within China, the non-public economy, commonly known as the private sector, comprises nearly 100 million private businesses and sole proprietors. These entities are known for their flexible mechanisms and close alignment with the market. They have seized opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, and transformative enhancements, thereby not only growing themselves but also making substantial contributions to the nation's economic and social progress. Their contributions include over 50% of China's tax revenue, above 60% of the GDP, more than 70% of technological innovations, above 80% of employment, and exceed 90% of the total enterprise count, playing a crucial role in the national economy.

In October 2017, Lu Guanqiu, a typical representative of the first generation of private entrepreneurs in Chinese mainland, following the reform and opening-up, passed away. During his final hours, he expressed to his son—his successor—"I am content with my life," signifying his satisfaction with his life's journey.

Lu Guanqiu led an extraordinary life. In 1984, he successfully exported the universal joints manufactured by his company, Wanxiang Group, to the United States. A decade later, he founded a subsidiary in the U.S., which escalated to annual sales of USD 2 billion within a few years. His business acumen and success also earned him a place as a frequent participant in the Chinese government's trade missions to the United States.

The robust growth of private enterprises, coupled with the illustrious lives of their entrepreneurial leaders, exemplifies the symbiotic relationship between the CPC and the private sector. The private economy's success is a direct result of the entrepreneurs' persistent efforts and innovative spirit; without these, its prosperity would be unattainable. In the same vein, if the policies enacted by the CPC failed to represent and endorse the interests of these entrepreneurs, the private economy would likely encounter significant challenges to its growth.

Q: So, does this mean that private entrepreneurs also belong to the "people" who accept the leadership of the CPC?

A: Certainly. Private entrepreneurs are contributors to the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics and are considered part of the political entity of the people. Some of these entrepreneurs were already members of the CPC prior to embarking on their business ventures. As stipulated by the Party's constitution, they maintain their political status as Party members.

At the 16th CPC National Congress in 2002, Jiang Xipei, a private entrepreneur possessing assets valued at 1.2 billion yuan, was one of the elected delegates, officially registered as a "private business owner." In 2018, during the celebrations of the 40th anniversary of the reform and opening-up, numerous private entrepreneurs were honored by the central authorities for their outstanding contributions to the reform and opening-up policies.

In 2021, while reflecting on Chinese history, President Xi Jinping articulated a profound statement: "The country is its people, and the people are the country." The CPC, entrusted with the leadership of the nation, fulfills its original aspirations and mission through the critical work of formulating and implementing effective policies. This involves organizing people from different groups to take appropriate actions at the right time and place, thereby safeguarding and promoting the interests of the people.

The interviewee is Chen Jin, Former committee member of the Institute of Party History and Literature of the Central Committee of CPC.

Liu Xian /Editor    Zhang Rong /Translator

Yang Xinhua /Chief Editor    Liu Xian /Coordination Editor

Liu Li /Reviewer

Zhang Weiwei /Copyeditor    Tan Yujie /Image Editor

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