New Developments of China’s New Type of Political Party System in the New Era

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2012, the Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core has attached great importance to multiparty cooperation. With a view to developing socialist democracy, modernizing China’s governance system and capacity, and advancing national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization, it has made a series of major decisions and plans on multiparty cooperation for the new era, thereby spurring fresh progress in the development of China’s new type of political party system. The CPC has strengthened overall leadership over multiparty cooperation and advanced the development of relevant institutions. These efforts have helped further institutionalize and standardize multiparty cooperation, creating a Constitution-based framework that takes relevant CPC regulations and documents as the mainstay and is supplemented by relevant policies. To propel the development of socialist consultative democracy, the CPC has placed inter-party consultation at the forefront of its seven consultation channels. This form of consultation is underpinned by clear content, standard procedures, sound institutions, and strong guarantees, all of which have helped establish it as a regular feature of national political life.

This system is new because it is the result of integrating Marxist political party theory with China's realities, which enables it to truly and extensively represent and realize the fundamental interests of the greatest possible number of people and of all ethnic groups in the country on an ongoing basis. It thus effectively avoids the defects of old-fashioned political party systems, which represent only the select few or the vested interests. It is new because it unites all political parties and prominent figures without party affiliation to pursue common goals, thereby effectively avoiding the risks of inadequate oversight in one-party rule and the problems of power rotation and destructive competition in multiparty systems. It is new because it uses institutions, standards, and procedures to pool different opinions and suggestions as a basis for sound and democratic decision-making. It thus effectively avoids the defects of old-fashioned party systems where political parties make decisions and exercise governance in pursuit of their own interests or the interests of the classes, regions, and groups they represent, thus creating division in society.

Since the new era began in 2012, the CPC has closely cooperated with other political parties based on a unity of purpose and action, thereby broadening the stage for multiparty cooperation. Non-CPC political parties have participated in national governance in important areas and deliberated on key issues with a focus on the central tasks of the CPC and the country. To advance Chinese modernization and coordinated implementation of the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy, they have conducted in-depth research and offered suggestions on major issues such as supply-side structural reform, new urbanization, the Belt and Road Initiative, the rural revitalization strategy, the development of new quality productive forces in line with local conditions, and innovation-driven high-quality development. As a result, these parties are playing an increasingly important role in national political life.

Looking back at the emergence and evolution of China’s new type of political party system, it is clear that this system is a remarkable political creation, jointly shaped by the Chinese people, the CPC, China's other political parties, and prominent people without party affiliation. Having grown out of the soil of China, it boasts significant advantages and tremendous vitality. As a basic political system that supports China’s development, national rejuvenation, social progress, and people’s happiness, it can be considered a Chinese solution for the advancement of the global political party system. 

Editor: Li Xiaoqiong