Third, this practice of the CPPCC lives up to its principle of democratic consultation and has contributed to promoting socialist democratic politics with Chinese characteristics. The CPPCC National Committee recently called two "proposals settlement conferences," one on the topic of supporting returned rural migrant workers to start their own enterprise in their home villages or get employed locally, and the other on how to maintain a steady economic growth at a reasonable speed by expanding domestic demand. Eleven state commissions and ministries concerned discussed these issues directly with the proposers to enhance understanding and agreement. In 2009, the subcommittee organized 25 such conferences and investigations.

Taking a Page from a Foreign Book

With the international community's growing interest in China's political system, it has been possible in recent years for the CPPCC to expand its friendships with foreign counterparts.

In 2006, at the invitation of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, the Romanian Senate and the Dutch House of Representatives, the Subcommittee for Handling Proposals under the 10th CPPCC National Committee visited the three countries. In their talks, the hosts obtained a deeper understanding of the CPPCC and China's two forms of democratic political system. Previously, they mistook the role of the CPPCC as that of a parliament or congress. Through such exchanges, both the CPPCC and their foreign counterparts came to improve their understanding of the conditions and methods countries use to legitimize their governing authority; the given economic and political systems of various countries evolved from the historical choices of their peoples and are the fruit of their political wisdom.

Mr. Li elaborated on one point he learned from his trips to the three countries. "All three champion legal construction; legislation is the major task of their parliaments, and the legislature, an important organ. They all emphasize close contacts with the citizenship and use expert opinion and the views of relevant non-governmental organizations in the process of law-making, so their work can best represent broad public opinion. In the Netherlands, for example, a motion that is left unsettled by a current House of Representatives will be carried on by its successor; it will not become nullified at the dismissal or conclusion of a House session. In this way, the continuity and rationality of government policies are guaranteed. I think this is instructive."

New Beginnings and Aspirations

Li Tielin believes that CPPCC proposals speak on behalf of the people and testify to the substantial achievement and the effective functioning of the CPPCC. They also reflect the developmental course of China's democratic politics and socialist construction with Chinese characteristics.

He envisions that his subcommittee can do even more in the future. It will continue to function as the think tank of the government in facilitating steady socio-economic growth in China, and play a bigger role in dealing with the international financial crisis by helping transform China's economic growth mode to enhance quality and efficiency in the direction of that growth. Its role, as he sees it, is also to assist in strengthening the country's ability in independent innovation, guaranteeing and improving democracy, and maintaining social stability and harmony. Meanwhile, the subcommittee will persevere in the spirit of democratic consultation and cooperation to create a fruitful working environment.

As a bridge between proposers and the departments that are obliged to act, the subcommittee and its office will strengthen its cooperative relations with them through various channels and means, such as conferences, fact-finding trips, and follow-up studies. Li vows that they will do everything to assure the smooth flow of the whole process – from composing, to examining, to acting on proposals – so it will become a process that represents the broadest wisdom, democracy and solidarity.