Q: In every country, the ruling party manifests its will in the policies it adopts. How does the CPC, which advocates "running the Party for the public good," formulate polices that embody its own will? How does it balance the interests of different groups?

A: In most countries, laws usually reflect the interests of the ruling class, whereas in China, the laws are essentially an embodiment of both the CPC's propositions and the people's aspirations, as the CPC represents the interests of all Chinese people. Exercising state power for the people in accordance with the law means that the CPC should use its state power for the benefit of the people and in compliance with their will.

Therefore, the CPC always adheres to a principled approach when formulating laws, seeing to it that every law is conducive to tapping into the superiority of socialism, giving full scope of the initiative of the people, maintaining the unity, ethnic solidarity and social stability of the country, and promoting economic development and all-round social progress.

The constitution, as the fundamental charter of a country, most notably embodies the country's nature. Take the amendment of the Chinese Constitution in 1982, for example. The whole project took two years and three months, four months of which were devoted by the NPC Standing Committee to a nationwide discussion on the draft amendment. The grand-scale discussion was unprecedented in the history of China's legal development, in terms of participation. The Political Bureau and the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee also held eight discussions. The CPC's propositions and public opinions were fully combined, making the draft increasingly better. On December 4, 1982, the draft amendment to the Constitution, which had been revised again and again, was submitted to the Fifth Session of the Fifth NPC for approval. As many as 3,037 of the 3,040 deputies who took part in the secret ballot voted in favor, with only three abstentions, accounting for less than 0.1 percent. The result testified to the fact that the new Constitution was the fruit of democracy and its formulation exemplified adherence to the CPC's leadership, participatory democracy and strict observance of law. It's no wonder that this new Constitution was highly regarded at home and abroad.

Additionally, the CPC consults with the non-communist parties before releasing significant documents, deliberating major issues and adopting important decisions. In 2004, the CPC Central Committee held 18 consultations and symposiums with non-communist parties. The State Council also hosts briefings on issues such as economic development every quarter of the year to solicit opinions and suggestions from the central committees of the other parties, leaders of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and prominent persons without party affiliation. A total of 115 proposals as well as 2,500 messages reflecting the social status quo and public aspirations were put forward on these occasions. The proposals and messages were all handled and given feedback in a timely manner. They provided important references for the CPC to make its decisions democratic and scientific.

In China, the CPC, the party in power, leads the people in formulating the Constitution and laws as well as in observing and implementing them. It also stipulates that its organizations at all levels shall exercise state power and conduct activities in accordance with the scope, procedures, contents and means prescribed by the Constitution and laws. At present, how to properly negotiate the relationship between the CPC's leadership and the rule of law is an important aspect of the ongoing reform of the political system.