The Communist Party of China (CPC) has promised to give other democratic parties more say in big decisions.
"Party consultation is a key part of the system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the CPC leadership... a crucial channel for the CPC to boost its governing capacity," according to a statement made public by the the general office of the CPC Central Committee on Thursday, echoing comments in June by the CPC Central Committee.
Party consultation refers to discussions between the CPC and democratic parties on major Party and national policies and affairs.
"Strengthened party consultation means expanded channels for people from democratic parties or without party affiliation to participate in political affairs and express their opinions, which will help boost political consensus, unite minds and power, and promote scientific and democratic decision-making and modernized governance," the document said.
The office said it would consult on key documents drafted by the CPC Central Committee, national economic and social development plans, prominent issues in reform and stability, revision to the Constitution, amendments to key laws, and candidates for state leaders.
The document particularly stressed the role of people without party affiliation and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce in such consultation.
Party consultation is mainly carried out in forms of conference, face-to-face conversation, written reports or proposals between the CPC members and their counterparts from democratic parties.
Four or five symposia are usually held by the CPC annually to discuss important appointments and removals, or other major Party and national policies and affairs, the document said.
To ensure interaction between the CPC and other parties, seminars on special subjects are organized regularly by the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee to get members of democratic parties informed of vital issues.
Moreover, people from democratic parties conduct research and investigate major issues that concern economic and social development each year, at the request of the CPC Central Committee.
The statement stressed that party consultation should be conducted under the leadership of the CPC, urging CPC leaders at all levels to promote democracy and pool the wisdom of all parties to ensure an orderly, efficient and dynamic consultation system.
The CPC leaders should consult with other democratic party members in policy-making and make sure that results of consultation are handled well, it noted.
"People from democratic parties should be encouraged to tell truth and voice different views," said the document, adding consensus should be reached after various opinions are fully discussed.
