Editor’s note: In this column we introduce phrases used every day in the media and by the Chinese government, thereby providing a succinct overview of China’s political thinking, its policies and ongoing reforms and transitions.

中国特色社会主义政治发展道路

中国特色社会主义政治发展道路，是中国共产党领导中国人民把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体国情相结合，经过长期探索实践逐步开辟和形成的。其关键是坚持党的领导、人民当家作主、依法治国有机统一，核心是坚持和完善人民代表大会制度、中国共产党领导的多党合作和政治协商制度、民族区域自治制度以及基层群众自治制度，目的是不断推进社会主义政治制度自我完善和发展。

Political development under socialism with Chinese characteristics

Political development under socialism with Chinese characteristics has evolved over time as the Chinese people made sustained efforts to build a better society under the leadership of the CPC by integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific conditions. The key features of such a process comprise leadership by the CPC, ownership by the people, and the rule of law. It is informed by continued efforts to improve the system of people’s congresses, multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC, regional ethnic autonomy and community-level self-governance. Its objective is to continuously improve and develop the socialist political system.

人民代表大会制度

人民代表大会制度是中国人民当家作主的根本政治制度。人民通过全国人民代表大会和地方各级人民代表大会，行使国家权力。中国宪法规定：中华人民共和国全国人民代表大会是最高国家权力机关。在中国，国家行政机关、审判机关、检察机关都由人民代表大会产生，对它负责，受它监督。国家的重大事项由人民代表大会决定。行政机关负责执行人民代表大会通过的法律、决议、决定。法院、检察院依照法律规定分别独立行使审判权、检察权，不受行政机关、社会团体和个人的干涉。1954年9月，第一届全国人民代表大会第一次会议的召开，标志着人民代表大会制度在全国范围内正式建立。

The system of people’s congresses

Representing the fundamental core of China’s political fabric, the system of people’s congresses ensures that the people are the masters of the country. State power is exercised by the people through the National People’s Congress (NPC) and local people’s congresses. The preeminence of the NPC as the highest organ of state power is enshrined in China’s Constitution. Heads of executive, judicial and procuratorial organs are elected or appointed by people’s congresses, responsible to them and subject to their oversight. The decision-making on major public affairs is within the purview of people’s congresses. The executive branch is responsible for implementing the laws, resolutions and decisions adopted by people’s congresses. Courts and procuratorates exercise their respective judicial and procuratorial powers independently, free from the intervention of executive organs, social groups or individuals. The First Session of the First NPC, held in September 1954, marked the official establishment of the system of people’s congresses nationwide.

中国共产党领导的多党合作和政治协商制度

中国的政党制度既不同于西方国家的两党或多党竞争制，也有别于一些国家实行的一党制，而是中国共产党领导的多党合作和政治协商制度。中国目前共有九个政党。除中国共产党外，还有中国国民党革命委员会(1948年成立)、中国民主同盟(1941年成立)、中国民主建国会(1945年成立)、中国民主促进会(1945年成立)、中国农工民主党(1930年成立)、中国致公党(1925年成立)、九三学社(1945年成立)、台湾民主自治同盟(1947年成立)。

中国政党制度的显著特征是：中国共产党领导、多党派合作，中国共产党执政、多党派参政。各党派是与中国共产党团结合作的亲密友党和参政党，而不是反对党或在野党。各党派参加国家政权，参与国家大政方针和国家领导人选的协商，参与国家事务的管理，参与国家方针政策、法律法规的制定和执行。中国共产党坚持同各党派长期共存、互相监督、肝胆相照、荣辱与共。

Multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China

China’s political party system is different from two-party or multiparty systems of Western countries or one-party systems in some other countries. It is based on multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC. There are at present nine political parties in China. They are, in addition to the CPC, the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang established in 1948, the Chinese Democratic League founded in 1941, the China National Democratic Construction Association founded in 1945, the China Association for Promoting Democracy established in 1945, the Chinese Peasants’ and Workers’ Democratic Party established in 1930, the China Zhi Gong Party founded in 1925, the Jiu San Society established in 1945 and the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League established in 1947.

China’s political party system is prominently characterized by the CPC’s leadership role in governing the country with cooperation from and participation of all the other parties. Rather than being opposition parties or parties not in power, the other parties work closely with the CPC as partners and participate in government. They are involved in decision-making at all levels, consultations on national priorities and guidelines and the selection of candidates for state leadership positions, the management of state affairs, and the formulation and implementation of state policies, laws and regulations. The CPC always cherishes its long-time partnership with the other parties, a partnership reinforced by mutual oversight and mutual trust, and inspired by a shared desire to forge ahead together through thick or thin.

Selected from Keywords to Understanding China published by China Academy of Translation and China International Publishing Group.