The Information Office of the State Council of China issued the country's first ever white paper on its political party system, November 15, 2007, which explains in detail the formation, main characteristics and basic contents of the system. This is the first ever white paper China has issued on its political party system and also the second white paper on China's democratic political construction.

Zhuang Congsheng, spokesperson and director of the research office of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, told a Xinhua News Agency reporter that the white paper is a summary of the major experience of China's multi-party cooperation in the past decades, particularly since China adopted its reform and opening-up policy in the late 1970s. It expounds on the advantageous characteristics of China's multi-party cooperation and the role played by democratic parties in the process of building socialism with Chinese characteristics. Many of the contents are unique in the world. This paper will help people both in China and abroad enhance their understanding of China's multi-party cooperation system.

1. Value and function of the system
The white paper says the value and functions of China's multi-party cooperation system are manifested as political participation, expression of interests, social integration, democratic supervision and maintenance of stability. Zhuang said, this is the first time China has tried to summarize the value and function of the multi-party cooperation system from five aspects, which gives expression to the intrinsic requirement of socialist democracy that people are the masters of their own country, as well as the characteristics and advantages of China's political system. The value and functions of China's multi-party cooperation system are manifested as political participation, expression of interests, social integration, democratic supervision and maintenance of stability.

Zhuang said, China's multi-party cooperation system makes it possible to put opinions from all walks of life into a standard channel in an orderly way so that all the suggestions and advice can be fully reflected and collected. It will help promote the sound development of socialist democratic politics. Under China's political system, while the majority's opinions are respected, suggestions put forward by minorities will be taken into consideration. A consensus will be reached after consultation. Thus, all the power can be united to work for economic development.

Zhuang said, the fact that the CPC and governments at various levels always tend to conduct full consultation with the democratic parties, listening to and adopting their suggestions will help make the decision-making process in a scientific and democratic way. As a result, all the power, both inside and outside the Party, will work together to transform political resources into the power to promote development to the largest extent.

2. Merits of multi-party cooperation system
Zhuang Congsheng said, China's multi-party cooperation system is not a casual choice, but an inevitable product of China's history of development. China used to adopt one-party and multi-party systems, but they proved unsuitable for the country's national conditions. This system was established and has been developed during the long-term practice of the Chinese revolution, construction and reform.

In China, whether it's necessary for a political system to exist and whether it has its advantages should be based on whether it suits the country's national conditions and the long-term practice of the Chinese revolution, construction and reform. "The multi-party cooperation system is an important political system that has helped to maintain the stability of China's political situation for the past decades," said Zhuang.

Zhuang said, according to the white paper, the multi-party cooperation system has created a new form of political party system in the world, a unique system by itself. It is a brand new form of governance and the realization of democracy. Here, the ruling party and the participating parties share the same ideal, the same objective and take the same action. The extensive cooperation and consultation between the CPC and democratic parties is an important factor to ensure the government's decisions are scientific and democratic. From the five-year planning to government work report and to the amendment of the Constitution, democratic parties and personages without party affiliation have put forward many suggestions, which are fully absorbed and respected.

Over the past 15 years, democratic parties at various levels have put forward over 90,000 suggestions, many of which have been adopted as government documents or useful reference for the government's policy decisions.

3. Multi-party's functions in state power building
The white paper indicates that, as the ruling party, the CPC has persisted in ruling the country scientifically, democratically and in accordance with the law. As participating parties, the democratic parties also take part in running government and state affairs, such as consultations on the country's crucial policies and the appointment of state leader candidates, as well as the formulation and enforcement of state guidelines, policies, laws and regulations. 

In exercising state power, the CPC unites and cooperates with all the democratic parties and encourages them to play their functions by participating in and discussing government and political affairs and in democratic supervision, so as to improve the building of state power.

According to the white paper, by the end of 2006, 31,000 democratic party members and personages without party affiliation held government official posts at and above the county (division) level. In the areas of work they were in charge of, they held commanding power, the power to make decisions as well as the power to nominate and remove personnel. The white paper indicates that like Party members, these officials are equipped with all the commanding, decision-making and suggestion rights within their power.

4. The important role of democratic parties
The white paper says, all democratic parties persevere in promoting development as the first priority, focusing on the state's central task and carefully fulfilling the obligation of political participation and democratic supervision, actively promoting socialist economic, political, cultural and social development.

Democratic parties play an important role in these areas: Conduct in-depth investigations and actively contribute suggestions; carry out poverty-relief and develop public welfare establishments; convey the people's opinion and maintain stability and consolidation; strengthen international relationships and conduct communication and exchanges.

Zhuang said, democratic parties show unique political advantages and strong vitality, and play an irreplaceable role in China's political life.

5. The status and function of the multi-party system
The systems of people's congresses, multi-party cooperation, regional ethnic autonomy, and self-governance at the primary level of society together constitute the kernel and fundamental framework of China's political party system, and are the embodiment of socialist democracy. The political party system is crucial and plays a very important role in the country's democratic and political life, said Zhuang.

The white paper explicitly indicates that the Communist Party of China rules the country and the democratic parties participate in state affairs. While the CPC and the democratic parties work closely together, the supervision between CPC and democratic parties is stressed. The content and form of democratic supervision by democratic parties are also made clear. It shows that the CPC has a clear sense that as the ruling party, it needs supervision from democratic parties more than anyone else. "All these prove that, China's political party system works for the people, not for the minority's democracy."