在庆祝中国人民政治协商会议成立65周年大会上的讲话
Speech at the Meeting Marking the 65th Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference
习近平
Xi Jinping
2014年9月21日
September 21, 2014
同志们，朋友们：
Dear friends and colleagues,
今天，我们在这里隆重集会，庆祝中国人民政治协商会议成立65周年。65年来，在中国共产党领导下，人民政协积极投身建立新中国、建设新中国、探索改革路、实现中国梦的伟大实践，走过了辉煌的历程，建立了历史的功勋！
We are gathered here today to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Over the past 65 years, the CPPCC, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), has traversed a glorious course and achieved historic accomplishments in its efforts toward founding and developing the People’s Republic of China, exploring the path of reform, and realizing the Chinese Dream.
首先，我代表中共中央，向中国人民政治协商会议成立65周年，表示热烈的祝贺！向共同致力于中国特色社会主义事业、为人民政协事业作出突出贡献的各民主党派、全国工商联和无党派人士，各人民团体和各族各界人士，致以崇高的敬意！向香港特别行政区同胞、澳门特别行政区同胞、台湾同胞和海外侨胞，表示诚挚的问候！
First of all, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, I would like to extend our warmest congratulations on the 65th anniversary of the founding of the CPPCC. I wish to express our great respect for the democratic parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and persons without party affiliation, as well as for the people’s organizations and people of all our ethnic groups and from all sectors of society who have been devoted to the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics and made outstanding contributions to the cause of the CPPCC. I also wish to express our sincere regards to our fellow countrymen and women in the Hong Kong and Macau administrative regions and in Taiwan, as well as to overseas Chinese.
此时此刻，我们更加深切缅怀毛泽东同志、周恩来同志、邓小平同志、邓颖超同志、李先念同志等老一辈人民政协事业领导人。我们将永远铭记所有为人民政协事业作出贡献的人们，在新的时代条件下把人民政协事业继续推向前进。
As I address you here today, we recall all the more deeply the memories of Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Deng Xiaoping, Deng Yingchao, Li Xiannian, and other CPPCC leaders of the older generations. We will always keep in mind all those who have contributed to the CPPCC’s cause and continue to carry it forward in the new era.
同志们、朋友们！
Dear friends and colleagues,
1949年9月21日至30日，中国人民政治协商会议第一届全体会议召开。会议代表全国各族人民意志，代行全国人民代表大会职权，通过了具有临时宪法性质的《中国人民政治协商会议共同纲领》和《中国人民政治协商会议组织法》、《中华人民共和国中央人民政府组织法》，作出关于中华人民共和国国都、国旗、国歌、纪年4个重要决议，选举中国人民政治协商会议全国委员会和中华人民共和国中央人民政府委员会，宣告中华人民共和国的成立。
The first plenary session of the CPPCC was held from September 21 through 30, 1949. Representing the will of the people of all ethnic groups in China and performing the functions of the National People’s Congress, that session adopted the Common Program of the CPPCC – a provisional kind of Constitution, the Organizing Law of the CPPCC, and theOrganizing Law of the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China. It adopted major resolutions on the capital, the national flag, the national anthem, and the calendar system of the People’s Republic of China. In addition, the session elected the National Committee of the CPPCC and the Central People’s Government Council of the People’s Republic of China, and proclaimed the founding the People’s Republic of China.
这标志着100多年来中国人民争取民族独立和人民解放运动取得了历史性的伟大胜利，标志着爱国统一战线和全国人民大团结在组织上完全形成，标志着中国共产党领导的多党合作和政治协商制度正式确立。人民政协为新中国的建立作出了重大贡献。
This session marked the historic victory of the Chinese people’s independence and liberation movement that had been underway for over 100 years, the complete formation of the organization of the patriotic united front and the widespread unity of people across the country, and the formal establishment of the system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC. The CPPCC contributed significantly to the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
新中国成立后，人民政协为恢复和发展国民经济、巩固新生人民政权、推动各项社会改革、促进社会主义革命和建设作出了历史性贡献。1954年，全国人民代表大会召开后，人民政协作为多党合作和政治协商机构、作为统一战线组织继续发挥重要作用，在完成社会主义改造、推动各种社会力量为实现国家总任务而奋斗、活跃国家政治生活、调整统一战线内部关系、扩大国际交往等方面发挥了重要作用，为推进新中国各项建设贡献了力量。
After the People’s Republic was founded, the CPPCC made historic contributions to recovering and developing the economy, consolidating the newly founded people’s government, giving impetus to social reforms, and advancing the socialist revolution and development. After the First National People’s Congress was held in 1954, the CPPCC – the organ of multiparty cooperation and political consultation as well as the united front organization – continued to contribute to all aspects of development in China by playing a significant part in completing the socialist transformation, encouraging all sectors of society to strive to fulfill the general tasks of the country, injecting new dynamism into political life in China, adjusting relations inside the united front, and increasing our country’s exchanges with other countries.
中共十一届三中全会以后，邓小平同志说：“新时期统一战线和人民政协的任务，就是要调动一切积极因素，努力化消极因素为积极因素，团结一切可以团结的力量，同心同德，群策群力，维护和发展安定团结的政治局面，为把我国建设成为现代化的社会主义强国而奋斗。”以邓小平同志为核心的中国共产党第二代中央领导集体明确提出新时期人民政协的性质和任务，确立中国共产党同各民主党派长期共存、互相监督、肝胆相照、荣辱与共的方针，推动人民政协性质和作用载入宪法。以江泽民同志为核心的中国共产党第三代中央领导集体将中国共产党领导的多党合作和政治协商制度确立为中国的基本政治制度，通过修改宪法明确这一制度将长期存在和发展，进一步明确了人民政协的性质、主题、职能。以胡锦涛同志为总书记的中共中央颁发《关于加强人民政协工作的意见》等文件，为新世纪新阶段人民政协事业发展提供了理论基础、政策依据、制度保障。
Following the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee, Deng Xiaoping said, “The tasks of the united front and of the CPPCC in the new period are to mobilize all positive forces, strive to transform all negative forces into positive ones, and unite with all the forces that can be united with so that all can work in harmony to maintain and strengthen political stability and unity in China and make it a modern, powerful socialist country.”
The CPC’s second generation of central collective leadership with Deng Xiaoping at its core clearly defined the nature and tasks of the CPPCC in the new period; established the principles of long-term coexistence, mutual oversight, sincere relations, and the sharing of both the good times and the bad between the CPC and the democratic parties; and promoted the inclusion of the nature and roles of the CPPCC into the Constitution.
The CPC’s third generation of central collective leadership with Jiang Zemin at its core established the system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation led by the CPC as a basic political system of China, made it clear in the revised Constitution that this system will continue to be implemented and developed for a long time to come, and further defined the nature, themes, and functions of the CPPCC.
The CPC Central Committee with Hu Jintao as general secretary issued the Guidelines on Strengthening the Work of the CPPCC, providing the theoretical foundation, policy basis, and institutional safeguards for the development of the CPPCC in this new stage of the new century.
中共十八大以来，中共中央高度重视人民政协工作，强调要进一步准确把握人民政协性质定位，充分发挥人民政协作为协商民主重要渠道作用，围绕团结和民主两大主题，推进政治协商、民主监督、参政议政制度建设。人民政协在继承中发展、在发展中创新，紧紧围绕中心、服务大局，聚焦全面深化改革凝聚共识、汇集力量、建言献策，作出了新的积极贡献。
Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, its Central Committee has attached great importance to the work of the CPPCC, emphasizing the need to accurately understand its nature and position, give full play to its role as a main channel for deliberative democracy, and build institutions regarding political consultation, democratic oversight, and participation in the deliberation and administration of state affairs, with the focus on the themes of unity and democracy. The CPPCC has developed while carrying forward its fine traditions, and has kept making innovations throughout its development. It has concentrated on the central task of economic development, served the overall interests of the country, and made new positive contributions by developing consensus, drawing together people’s energies, and making proposals on deepening reform comprehensively.
回顾人民政协65年的发展历程，我们更加深刻地认识到，人民政协植根于中国历史文化，产生于近代以后中国人民革命的伟大斗争，发展于中国特色社会主义光辉实践，具有鲜明中国特色，是实现国家富强、民族振兴、人民幸福的重要力量。我们有充分的理由相信，人民政协创造了辉煌的历史，也必将创造更加辉煌的未来！
Looking back over the CPPCC’s 65 years of development makes us more deeply aware that the CPPCC is rooted in Chinese history and culture, originates from the great struggle of the Chinese people’s revolution since the beginning of modern times, and has developed through the brilliant praxis of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It is quintessentially Chinese, and constitutes an important force for making China prosperous and strong, rejuvenating the Chinese nation, and bringing happiness to the people. We have every reason to believe that, just as the CPPCC has created a glorious history, it is certain to create an even more glorious future.
同志们、朋友们！
Dear friends and colleagues,
人民政协65年的丰富实践积累了宝贵经验，为我们做好人民政协工作确立了重要原则。
The CPPCC has gathered valuable experience during its 65 years of rich praxis and established important principles for carrying out its work.
做好人民政协工作，必须坚持中国共产党的领导。中国共产党的领导是包括各民主党派、各团体、各民族、各阶层、各界人士在内的全体中国人民的共同选择，是中国特色社会主义最本质的特征，也是人民政协事业发展进步的根本保证。人民政协事业要沿着正确方向发展，就必须毫不动摇坚持中国共产党的领导。
It is essential that in performing its work, the CPPCC adheres to the leadership of the CPC. The leadership by the CPC is the common choice of the Chinese people, including the democratic parties, people’s organizations, ethnic groups, social strata, and people from all sectors of society. It is the most essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and it provides the fundamental guarantee for the development and progress of the CPPCC. To keep developing in the right direction, the CPPCC must unwaveringly uphold the leadership of the CPC.
做好人民政协工作，必须坚持人民政协的性质定位。人民政协是统一战线的组织，是多党合作和政治协商的机构，是人民民主的重要实现形式，体现了中国特色社会主义制度的鲜明特点。人民政协要在依照宪法法律和政协章程准确定位的基础上，大力推进自身各项工作和各项事业不断向前发展。
It is imperative that the CPPCC sticks with its nature and position in order to do its work well. The CPPCC is a united front organization, an organ of multiparty cooperation and political consultation, and an important form of people’s democracy. It reflects the distinct features of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The CPPCC should constantly make advances in all its work and programs on the basis of accurately identifying its position in accordance with the Constitution and laws of China as well as its own Charter.
做好人民政协工作，必须坚持大团结大联合。大团结大联合是统一战线的本质要求，是人民政协组织的重要特征。人民政协要坚持在热爱中华人民共和国、拥护中国共产党的领导、拥护社会主义事业、共同致力于实现中华民族伟大复兴的政治基础上，最大限度调动一切积极因素，团结一切可以团结的人，汇聚起共襄伟业的强大力量。
It is important that the CPPCC upholds great unity and cooperation in carrying out its work. Unity and cooperation are essential to the united front and are the major characteristics of the CPPCC. On the political basis of loving the People’s Republic of China, supporting the leadership of the CPC, upholding socialism, and making joint efforts to rejuvenate the Chinese nation, the CPPCC should mobilize all positive factors to the greatest possible extent, unite with everyone that can be united with, and channel their energies into a powerful force to serve the great cause.
做好人民政协工作，必须坚持发扬社会主义民主。人民民主是社会主义的生命。人民政协是人民民主的重要形式。人民政协要适应推进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化的要求，坚持改革创新精神，推进人民政协理论创新、制度创新、工作创新，丰富民主形式，畅通民主渠道，有效组织各党派、各团体、各民族、各阶层、各界人士共商国是，推动实现广泛有效的人民民主。
It is essential that the CPPCC continues to promote socialist democracy in its work. The people’s democracy is the very life of socialism, and the CPPCC is an important form of people’s democracy. The CPPCC should, in light of the needs for modernizing the country’s governance system and capacity for governance, adhere to the spirit of reform and innovation; make innovations in its own theory, institutions, and work; enrich the forms of democracy; keep channels of democracy open; organize for political parties, people’s organizations, ethnic groups, social strata, and persons from all sectors of society to deliberate on state affairs; and strive to bring about broad, effective people’s democracy.
同志们、朋友们！
Dear friends and colleagues,
我们的目标越伟大，我们的愿景越光明，我们的使命越艰巨，我们的责任越重大，就越需要汇聚起全民族智慧和力量，就越需要广泛凝聚共识、不断增进团结。希望人民政协继承光荣传统，提高履职能力现代化水平，为实现“两个一百年”奋斗目标、实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦作出新的更大贡献。
The greater our objectives, the brighter our visions, the more formidable our mission, and the heavier our responsibility, the more necessary it is to pool together the wisdom and strength of the entire nation, achieve broad consensus, and constantly strengthen unity. I hope the CPPCC will carry on its fine traditions, further modernize its ability to perform its duties, and make new and greater contributions towards the achievement of the Two Centenary Goals and the realization of the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
第一，坚持中国特色社会主义制度优势和特点。“履不必同，期于适足；治不必同，期于利民。”中国特色社会主义制度的生命力，就在于这一制度是在中国的社会土壤中生长起来的，人民政协就是适合中国国情、具有鲜明中国特色的制度安排。
First, the CPPCC needs to maintain the strengths and features of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
As the saying goes, “One pair of shoes need not be the same as another; it need only fit the wearer’s feet. Governance need not be of only one kind; it need only benefit the people.” The reason socialism with Chinese characteristics is full of dynamism is that it has grown in the soil of Chinese society. The CPPCC is an institutional arrangement that suits China’s conditions and has clear Chinese characteristics.
人民政协要始终把坚持和发展中国特色社会主义作为巩固共同思想政治基础的主轴。要坚持中国共产党的领导、人民当家作主、依法治国有机统一，自觉把中国共产党的决策部署贯彻到人民政协工作中去，准确把握人民政协性质、地位、职能和作用，坚定不移走中国特色社会主义政治发展道路，风雨如磐不动摇。
The CPPCC needs to always uphold the adherence to and development of socialism with Chinese characteristics as the principal axis around which our common intellectual and political foundation is strengthened. It needs to uphold the unity of the leadership of the CPC, the position of the people as masters of the country, and the law-based governance of the country; willingly incorporate the decisions and arrangements of the CPC into its work; accurately understand its nature, position, functions, and role; and remain firmly committed to the socialist path of political development with Chinese characteristics.
第二，坚持紧扣改革发展献计出力。中国仍然处于社会主义初级阶段，仍然是世界上最大的发展中国家，发展仍然是解决中国一切问题的关键。我们面临的中心任务就是紧紧抓住和用好重要战略机遇期，全面深化改革，不断解放和发展社会生产力，推动各项事业全面发展，更好改善和保障人民生活。
Second, the CPPCC needs to make suggestions on and contribute to reform and development.
China is still in the primary stage of socialism and remains the world’s largest developing country, so development continues to be the key to solving all the problems that China faces. The central task we face is to make the best use of this important period of strategic opportunities, comprehensively deepen reform, constantly work to liberate and develop the productive forces, develop all undertakings in an all-round way, and make a better job of improving and safeguarding the quality of life of our people.
人民政协要充分发挥代表性强、联系面广、包容性大的优势，聚焦推动科学发展、全面深化改革中的重大问题和群众最为关切的问题，深入进行调查研究，努力为改革发展出实招、谋良策。要积极宣传改革发展的大政方针，引导所联系群众支持和参与改革发展，正确对待新形势下改革发展带来的利益格局调整，为改革发展添助力、增合力。要敢于讲真话、讲诤言，及时反映真实情况，勇于提出建议和批评，帮助查找不足、解决问题，推动各项改革发展举措落到实处。
The CPPCC is highly representative, broadly based, and greatly inclusive. It should capitalize on these strengths in its efforts to carry out thorough studies and investigations on major issues concerning promoting development in a scientific way and comprehensively deepening reform as well as on issues of the greatest concern to the general public. It should also make suggestions and recommendations regarding reform and development. It needs to actively explain China’s major policies and principles on reform and development to the public, and guide all those people it connects with to support and take part in reform and development, to respond properly to the changes in their interests brought about by the current reform and development initiatives, and come together to promote reform and development. The CPPCC needs to boldly speak the truth and offer advice, report the genuine nature of situations as they emerge, bravely make both comments and criticisms, help government offices identify their deficiencies and solve their problems, and ensure the implementation of all reform and development measures.
第三，坚持发挥人民政协在发展协商民主中的重要作用。人民政协以宪法、政协章程和相关政策为依据，以中国共产党领导的多党合作和政治协商制度为保障，集协商、监督、参与、合作于一体，是社会主义协商民主的重要渠道。
Third, the CPPCC needs to play an important role in developing deliberative democracy.
The CPPCC functions on the basis of China’s Constitution, the CPPCC Charter, and relevant state policies. It is guaranteed by the system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC, assumes the functions of deliberation, oversight, participation, and cooperation, and is an important channel for socialist deliberative democracy.
人民政协要发挥作为专门协商机构的作用，把协商民主贯穿履行职能全过程，推进政治协商、民主监督、参政议政制度建设，不断提高人民政协协商民主制度化、规范化、程序化水平，更好协调关系、汇聚力量、建言献策、服务大局。要拓展协商内容、丰富协商形式，建立健全协商议题提出、活动组织、成果采纳落实和反馈机制，更加灵活、更为经常开展专题协商、对口协商、界别协商、提案办理协商，探索网络议政、远程协商等新形式，提高协商实效，努力营造既畅所欲言、各抒己见，又理性有度、合法依章的良好协商氛围。
The CPPCC needs to play the role of an organization specializing in deliberation and put deliberative democracy into practice throughout the whole process of its performance of duties. It needs to improve the system of political consultation, democratic oversight, and participation in the deliberation and administration of state affairs; work constantly to make its deliberative democracy more institutionalized, standardized, and procedure-based; more effectively coordinate relations, pool strengths, make suggestions and proposals to the central leadership, and serve the overall interests of the country.
It also needs to conduct deliberations on more state affairs and diversify the forms of its deliberations; develop sound mechanisms for formulating topics for deliberation, organizing deliberations, adopting and implementing the results of deliberations, and giving feedback to those who made suggestions; carry out more regular and more flexible deliberations on specific issues, with Party and government offices, among members of CPPCC committees from the same sector of society, and on the handling of proposals; explore new ways of conducting deliberations such as online deliberations and remote deliberations; and make its deliberations more effective; and ensure that all participants in deliberations are both able to say what they want to say and act on just grounds, with restraint, and in accordance with the law and regulations.
第四，坚持广泛凝聚实现中华民族伟大复兴的正能量。人民政协是最广泛的爱国统一战线组织。统一战线是中国共产党夺取革命、建设、改革事业胜利的重要法宝，也是实现中华民族伟大复兴的重要法宝。
Fourth, the CPPCC needs to stay committed to extensively pooling positive energy for achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
The CPPCC is the broadest possible patriotic united front organization. The united front is an important instrument used by the CPC to achieve victories in revolution, development, and reform, and it is also an important means for achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
“大厦之成，非一木之材也；大海之阔，非一流之归也。”要坚持和完善中国共产党领导的多党合作和政治协商制度，完善工作机制，搭建更多平台，为民主党派和无党派人士在政协更好发挥作用创造条件。要全面贯彻党的民族政策和宗教政策，积极引导各族群众增强对伟大祖国的认同、对中华民族的认同、对中华文化的认同、对中国特色社会主义道路的认同，充分发挥宗教界人士和信教群众在推动经济社会发展中的积极作用，促进民族团结、宗教和睦。要坚定不移贯彻“一国两制”、“港人治港”、“澳人治澳”、高度自治的方针，推动全面准确落实基本法，推动内地同香港、澳门的交流合作，维护香港、澳门长期繁荣稳定。要坚持“两岸一家人”，拓展同台湾岛内有关党派团体、社会组织、各界人士的联系和沟通，推动两岸关系和平发展。要加强同海外侨胞、归侨侨眷的联系，维护他们的合法权益，支持他们积极参与和支持祖（籍）国现代化建设与和平统一大业，促进中国同世界各国的文化交流。要高举和平、发展、合作、共赢旗帜，按照国家对外工作总体部署，加强同各国人民、政治组织、媒体智库等友好往来，为促进人类和平与发展的崇高事业作出积极贡献。
As the saying goes, “A building isn’t made of a single piece of timber, and an ocean isn’t created by a single river.” We need to adhere to and improve the system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC, improve our work mechanisms, and put up more platforms in order to create conditions for the democratic parties and persons without party affiliation to play a better role in the CPPCC.
We need to fully implement the Party’s policies on ethnic groups and religions, and actively guide people of all ethnic groups to enhance their sense of identification with our great country, and to help them further identify with the Chinese nation, Chinese culture, and the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. We need to encourage religious leaders and believers to play an active role in stimulating economic and social development, and promote ethnic unity and religious harmony.
We need to be firmly committed to implementing the principles of “one country, two systems,” “Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong,” “Macao people governing Macao,” and “a high degree of autonomy”; push forward the thorough and accurate implementation of the basic laws of Hong Kong and Macao; promote the mainland’s exchanges and cooperation with the two regions; and maintain their long-term prosperity and stability.
We need to uphold the notion that “the people on the two sides of the Taiwan Straits are of one and the same family,” increase our contacts and communications with the relevant parties, organizations, social groups, and people from all backgrounds on the island of Taiwan, and promote the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.
We need to increase our ties with overseas Chinese, overseas Chinese nationals who have returned to China, and relatives of overseas Chinese nationals who live in China, and safeguard their legitimate rights and interests, encourage them to actively participate in and support the modernization and peaceful reunification of China, and support their efforts to promote cultural exchange between China and other countries.
We need to hold high the banners of peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit; follow China’s overall plan for foreign relations; increase our friendship with other countries’ people, political organizations, media, and think tanks; and make positive contributions to human peace and development.
第五，坚持推进履职能力建设。人民政协是国家治理体系的重要组成部分，要适应全面深化改革的要求，以改革思维、创新理念、务实举措大力推进履职能力建设，努力在推进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化中发挥更大作用。
Fifth, the CPPCC needs to become better able to perform its functions.
The CPPCC is an important part of China’s governance system. It needs to adapt to the requirements for comprehensively deepening reform; use reformist thinking, innovative ideas, and pragmatic measures to become better able to perform its functions; and strive to play a more significant role in modernizing our country’s governance system and capacity for governance.
人民政协要提高政治把握能力，坚定理想信念，增进政治认同，提高运用科学理论分析判断形势、研究解决问题的能力和水平。要提高调查研究能力，坚持问题导向，深入实际摸清真实情况，集合众智提出解决办法，努力使对策建议有的放矢、切中要害。要提高联系群众能力，创新群众工作方法，畅通和拓宽各界群众的利益诉求表达渠道，发挥好桥梁纽带作用。要提高合作共事能力，发扬求同存异、体谅包容的优良传统，贯彻民主协商、平等议事的工作原则，尊重和包容不同意见的存在和表达，以民主的作风团结人，不断增进思想共识、加强合作共事。
The CPPCC needs to improve its political understanding, stay firmly committed to its ideals and convictions, strengthen its sense of political identity, and become better able to use scientific theories to size up situations and analyze and solve problems. It needs to improve its capacity for research, stay problem-oriented, carry out fact-finding missions, pool collective wisdom to work out solutions, and strive to make its suggestions more targeted and more to the point. It needs to improve its ability to connect with the people, create new ways to work with them, open up more channels for people from all sectors of society to express appeals concerning matters affecting their interests, and serve as a bridge between them and the government. The CPPCC also needs to become better able to work with others, carry forward its fine traditions of seeking common ground while putting aside differences and striving for understanding and inclusiveness, implement the principles of democratic deliberation and equality in discussions, respect and tolerate the existence and expression of opposing views, unite with people through democratic practices, and with them, find more common ground and increased cooperation.
中国共产党各级党委要重视和支持人民政协事业发展，把人民政协政治协商作为重要环节纳入决策程序，会同政府、政协制定实施协商年度工作计划，对明确规定需要协商的事项必须经协商后提交决策实施。要加强人民政协民主监督，完善民主监督的组织领导、权益保障、知情反馈、沟通协调机制。要推进人民政协参政议政更加深入务实开展，委托政协开展重大课题调研，邀请政协委员参与重大项目研究论证，完善参政议政成果采纳落实机制，更好发挥人民政协建言资政作用。要高度重视政协领导班子建设，改进委员产生机制，真正把代表性强、议政水平高、群众认可、德才兼备的优秀人士吸收到委员队伍中来。要适应经济社会发展和统一战线内部结构变化，深入研究更好发挥政协界别作用的思路和办法，扩大团结面、增强包容性，拓展有序政治参与空间。
Party committees at all levels should value and support the cause of the CPPCC; incorporate its political consultation as an important part of the process of decision making; work together with the government and the CPPCC to formulate and implement the annual plan for the work of political consultation; and submit matters for consultation as required before relevant decisions are made and implemented.
We will strengthen democratic oversight of the CPPCC, and improve its mechanisms for organization and leadership, rights and interests protection, information sharing and feedback, and communication and coordination.
We need to promote more intensive and pragmatic participation in the deliberation over and administration of state affairs by the CPPCC, entrust it to carry out investigation and research on major topics, invite members of its committees to participate in the studies and discussions on major projects, and improve the mechanisms for adopting and implementing the results of their participation in the deliberation over and administration of state affairs, so that the CPPCC will play a better role in giving advice to the government.
We need to pay particular attention to strengthening the leading bodies of the CPPCC, improve the mechanism for electing members of its committees, and nominate to its committees those broadly representative and outstanding persons who possess a strong capacity for deliberating over state affairs, enjoy wide recognition from the people, and display both integrity and competence.
We also need to adapt to the country’s economic and social developments and the changes in the structure of the united front, conduct in-depth studies on the thinking of and approaches toward how to make better use of the CPPCC’s inclusiveness in order to broaden its unity, increase its inclusiveness, and expand orderly political participation by the general public.
政协委员是政协工作的主体。要尊重和保障委员民主权利，完善委员联络制度，健全委员联络机构，为委员履职尽责创造良好条件。政协委员社会知名度大、关注度高，一言一行都具有影响力和示范性。希望广大政协委员珍惜自身荣誉，恪守宪法法律，自觉践行社会主义核心价值观，锤炼道德品行，改进工作作风，切实发挥在本职工作中的带头作用、界别群众中的代表作用，不负重托，不辱使命。
Members of CPPCC committees play the principal role in carrying out the CPPCC’s work. We need to respect and protect their democratic rights, improve mechanisms for maintaining contact with them, and create conditions conducive to their fulfillment of their duties. Members of CPPCC committees are generally well-known figures and are the focus of much attention, so everything they say and do is both influential and serves as an example to others. We hope all members of CPPCC committees cherish such an honor, abide by the Constitution and laws, have the self-motivation to put into practice core socialist values, practice self-cultivation to further refine their sense of morality and conduct, improve their work style, play a leading role in their own jobs and a representative role for the people from their respective sector, accomplish their mission, and prove worthy of the great trust placed in them.
同志们、朋友们！
Dear friends and colleagues,
社会主义协商民主，是中国社会主义民主政治的特有形式和独特优势，是中国共产党的群众路线在政治领域的重要体现。中共十八大提出，在发展我国社会主义民主政治的进程中，要完善协商民主制度和工作机制，推进协商民主广泛多层制度化发展。中共十八届三中全会强调，在党的领导下，以经济社会发展重大问题和涉及群众切身利益的实际问题为内容，在全社会开展广泛协商，坚持协商于决策之前和决策实施之中。这些重要论述和部署，为中国社会主义协商民主发展指明了方向。
Socialist deliberative democracy is a unique form and a distinctive strength of China’s socialist democracy. Politically, it is an important embodiment of the Party’s mass line. It was stated at the 18th Party Congress that as China’s socialist democracy progresses, we need to improve the institutions and mechanisms for deliberative democracy and promote its broad-based, multilevel, and institutionalized development. It was stressed at the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee that with a focus on the major issues concerning economic and social development and the practical issues that affect people’s immediate interests, the Party should lead extensive deliberations throughout the whole of society and ensure that deliberations are conducted both before decisions are made and during their implementation. These important statements and plans have shown what the way forward will be for China’s socialist deliberative democracy.
——我们要全面认识社会主义协商民主是中国社会主义民主政治的特有形式和独特优势这一重大判断。中国共产党领导人民实行人民民主，就是保证和支持人民当家作主。保证和支持人民当家作主不是一句口号、不是一句空话，必须落实到国家政治生活和社会生活之中，保证人民依法有效行使管理国家事务、管理经济和文化事业、管理社会事务的权力。
We should have a full understanding of the major assessment that socialist deliberative democracy is a unique form and a distinctive strength of China’s socialist democracy. The very purpose of the CPC’s leadership of the people in developing people’s democracy is to guarantee and support their position as masters of the country. Guaranteeing and supporting the position of the people as masters of the country is not simply a slogan or a few hollow words; we must ensure its implementation in both the country’s political and social activities, and guarantee the people’s right to effectively manage state affairs, economic and cultural undertakings, and social affairs in accordance with the law.
“名非天造，必从其实。”实现民主的形式是丰富多样的，不能拘泥于刻板的模式，更不能说只有一种放之四海而皆准的评判标准。人民是否享有民主权利，要看人民是否在选举时有投票的权利，也要看人民在日常政治生活中是否有持续参与的权利；要看人民有没有进行民主选举的权利，也要看人民有没有进行民主决策、民主管理、民主监督的权利。社会主义民主不仅需要完整的制度程序，而且需要完整的参与实践。人民当家作主必须具体地、现实地体现到中国共产党执政和国家治理上来，具体地、现实地体现到中国共产党和国家机关各个方面、各个层级的工作上来，具体地、现实地体现到人民对自身利益的实现和发展上来。
A name is not granted by heaven; it must be earned in life. There are many diverse ways to realize democracy, so we cannot just rigidly copy any particular one. Further, we must recognize that there is no such thing as a standard model that is universally acceptable. Whether people enjoy democratic rights or not depends on whether they have the right to vote in elections, as well as whether they have the right to constantly participate in everyday political activities. Besides having the right to democratic elections, it also depends on whether they have right to democratic decision-making, democratic management, and democratic oversight. Socialist democracy requires not just a complete set of institutions and procedures, but also full participation. The position of the people as masters of the country must be given concrete and practical expression to through the exercise of state power by the CPC and its governance of the country, in all aspects of the work of the Party and government organizations at all levels, and through the realization and development of the people’s own interests.
实行人民民主，保证人民当家作主，要求我们在治国理政时在人民内部各方面进行广泛商量。毛泽东同志说过：“国家各方面的关系都要协商。”“我们政府的性格，你们也都摸熟了，是跟人民商量办事的”，“可以叫它是个商量政府”。周恩来同志说过：“新民主主义的议事精神不在于最后的表决，主要是在于事前的协商和反复的讨论。”
Putting people’s democracy into practice and ensuring the people’s position as masters of the country, demands that we conduct extensive deliberations amongst people throughout the whole of society while governing the country. Mao Zedong once said, “The relations between all aspects of the state need deliberations… You are all familiar with the nature of our government – to do things through consultations with the people… we may call it a consultative government.” Zhou Enlai once said, “The spirit of deliberation of the new-democratic revolution is not in the final voting; it is mainly in the deliberations and repeated discussions that happen before a decision is made.”
在中国社会主义制度下，有事好商量，众人的事情由众人商量，找到全社会意愿和要求的最大公约数，是人民民主的真谛。涉及人民利益的事情，要在人民内部商量好怎么办，不商量或者商量不够，要想把事情办成办好是很难的。我们要坚持有事多商量，遇事多商量，做事多商量，商量得越多越深入越好。涉及全国各族人民利益的事情，要在全体人民和全社会中广泛商量；涉及一个地方人民群众利益的事情，要在这个地方的人民群众中广泛商量；涉及一部分群众利益、特定群众利益的事情，要在这部分群众中广泛商量；涉及基层群众利益的事情，要在基层群众中广泛商量。在人民内部各方面广泛商量的过程，就是发扬民主、集思广益的过程，就是统一思想、凝聚共识的过程，就是科学决策、民主决策的过程，就是实现人民当家作主的过程。这样做起来，国家治理和社会治理才能具有深厚基础，也才能凝聚起强大力量。
Under China’s socialist system, deliberations help when a problem crops up, and matters involving many people are discussed by all those involved; to reach consensus on the wishes and needs of the whole of society is the essence of people’s democracy. On matters that concern the people’s interests, deliberations should be held with the people; without deliberation or with insufficient deliberation, it is difficult to handle these matters well.
We should always hold deliberations when we find and address issues: the more numerous and in-depth, the better. On matters that have a bearing on the interests of people of all our ethnic groups, deliberations will be held extensively throughout the whole of society; on matters that concern the interests of people in one specific area, deliberations will be held among the local people there; on matters that affect the interests of certain groups of people, deliberations will be held among those groups; and on matters that concern the interests of people at the community level, deliberations will be held within the community.
The process of holding extensive deliberations among the people is the process of promoting democracy and drawing on collective wisdom, the process of unifying people’s thinking and building consensus, the process of scientific and democratic decision-making, and the process of ensuring the position of the people as masters of the country. It is only in this way that we can have solid foundations for our country’s governance and for social governance; it is only in this way that we are be able to draw together powerful strength.
古今中外的实践都表明，保证和支持人民当家作主，通过依法选举、让人民的代表来参与国家生活和社会生活的管理是十分重要的，通过选举以外的制度和方式让人民参与国家生活和社会生活的管理也是十分重要的。人民只有投票的权利而没有广泛参与的权利，人民只有在投票时被唤醒、投票后就进入休眠期，这样的民主是形式主义的。
In both ancient and modern times, in China and abroad, experience has shown that to guarantee and support the people’s position as masters of the country, it is paramount that people’s lawfully elected representatives participate in the management of state affairs and social activities, and it is equally important that the people participate in such activities through systems and methods other than election. If the people merely have the right to vote but no right of extensive participation, in other words, if they are only awakened at election time but go into hibernation afterwards, then this kind of democracy will only be a formalistic one.
在总结新中国人民民主实践的基础上，我们明确提出，在我们这个人口众多、幅员辽阔的社会主义国家里，关系国计民生的重大问题，在中国共产党领导下进行广泛协商，体现了民主和集中的统一；人民通过选举、投票行使权利和人民内部各方面在重大决策之前进行充分协商，尽可能就共同性问题取得一致意见，是中国社会主义民主的两种重要形式。在中国，这两种民主形式不是相互替代、相互否定的，而是相互补充、相得益彰的，共同构成了中国社会主义民主政治的制度特点和优势。
On the basis of the review of our experience with people’s democracy since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, we have made it clear that in such a vast and populous socialist country, extensive deliberation under the leadership of the CPC on major issues affecting the economy and the people’s quality of life embodies the unity of democracy and centralism. Chinese socialist democracy takes two important forms, in one of which, the people exercise their right to vote in elections, and in the other, people from all sectors of society undertake extensive deliberations before major decisions are made. In China, these two forms do not cancel one another out, and nor are they contradictory; they are complementary. They constitute institutional features and strengths of Chinese socialist democracy.
协商民主是中国社会主义民主政治中独特的、独有的、独到的民主形式，它源自中华民族长期形成的天下为公、兼容并蓄、求同存异等优秀政治文化，源自近代以后中国政治发展的现实进程，源自中国共产党领导人民进行革命、建设、改革的长期实践，源自新中国成立后各党派、各团体、各民族、各阶层、各界人士在政治制度上共同实现的伟大创造，源自改革开放以来中国在政治体制上的不断创新，具有深厚的文化基础、理论基础、实践基础、制度基础。
Deliberative democracy is a unique form of Chinese socialist democracy. It springs from our nation’s long-established inclusive political culture, in which we believe that all under heaven belongs to the people and we can seek common ground while putting aside differences. It springs from China’s political evolution in modern times, from the long-term practical experience built as the CPC led the people through the course of revolution, development, and reform; from the great innovations made in our political institutions by all political parties, people’s organizations, ethnic groups, and people from all social strata and different backgrounds after the founding of the People’s Republic of China; and from the continuous innovations in China’s political system since reform and opening up. It has firm cultural, theoretical, practical, and institutional foundations.
协商民主深深嵌入了中国社会主义民主政治全过程。中国社会主义协商民主，既坚持了中国共产党的领导，又发挥了各方面的积极作用；既坚持了人民主体地位，又贯彻了民主集中制的领导制度和组织原则；既坚持了人民民主的原则，又贯彻了团结和谐的要求。所以说，中国社会主义协商民主丰富了民主的形式、拓展了民主的渠道、加深了民主的内涵。
Deliberative democracy has been integrated into the whole process of Chinese socialist democracy. The Chinese socialist system of deliberative democracy not only upholds the leadership of the CPC, but also gives expression to the positive role of all sides; it not only upholds the people’s principal position in the country, but also implements the leadership system and organizational principle of democratic centralism; and it not only adheres to the principle of people’s democracy, but also promotes unity and harmony. So, the Chinese socialist system of deliberative democracy diversifies the forms and widens the channels of democracy, and gives it new meaning.
——我们要深刻把握社会主义协商民主是中国共产党的群众路线在政治领域的重要体现这一基本定性。中国共产党来自人民、服务人民，这就决定了中国共产党领导人民建立的中华人民共和国必须紧紧依靠人民治国理政、管理社会。中国共产党在自己的工作中实行群众路线，坚持一切为了群众，一切依靠群众，从群众中来，到群众中去，把自己的正确主张变为群众的自觉行动。中华人民共和国宪法规定，国家的一切权力属于人民，一切国家机关和国家工作人员必须依靠人民的支持，经常保持同人民的密切联系，倾听人民的意见和建议，接受人民的监督，努力为人民服务。无论是中国共产党执政，还是国家机关施政，都必须坚持贯彻群众路线，紧紧依靠人民。
We need to thoroughly understand the fundamental nature of socialist deliberative democracy as an important reflection of the Party’s mass line in the political sphere. The CPC comes from the people, and serves the people. This makes it essential that the People’s Republic of China, which was established by the people under the leadership of the CPC, must closely rely on the people in governing the country and managing society. The CPC carries out its mass line in its work, that is to say, it stays committed to doing everything for the masses and relying on them, following the principle of “from the masses, to the masses,” and translating its correct proposals into people’s conscious actions. TheConstitution of the People’s Republic of China stipulates that all power of the state belongs to the people, and all state organs and employees must rely on their support, keep in close touch with them, listen to their opinions and suggestions, accept their oversight, and work hard to serve them. Both the CPC and state organs must follow the mass line and rely heavily on the people in their exercise of state power.
“政之所兴在顺民心，政之所废在逆民心。”一个政党，一个政权，其前途命运最终取决于人心向背。中国共产党、中华人民共和国的全部发展历程都告诉我们，中国共产党、中华人民共和国之所以能够取得事业的成功，靠的是始终保持同人民群众的血肉联系、代表最广大人民根本利益。如果脱离群众、失去人民拥护和支持，最终也会走向失败。我们必须把人民利益放在第一位，任何时候任何情况下，与人民群众同呼吸共命运的立场不能变，全心全意为人民服务的宗旨不能忘，坚信群众是真正英雄的历史唯物主义观点不能丢。
As the Chinese saying goes, “The rise or fall of a political power depends on whether it accommodates the people’s will.” The future of a political party or government ultimately rests on popular support. The whole course of the development of the CPC and the People’s Republic reveals that the progress we have made in our cause has relied on our always having maintained close ties with the people and our representing of the fundamental interests of the greatest possible majority of the people. However, if we become divorced from the people and lose their support, that cause will be doomed to failure. We must put the people’s interests first. Under no circumstances can we ever alter our standpoint of breathing the same air as and sharing a common future with the people, nor can we forget that our purpose is to serve the people wholeheartedly, nor can we discard the view of historical materialism that the people are the real heroes.
全心全意为人民服务，始终代表最广大人民根本利益，是我们能够实行和发展协商民主的重要前提和基础。中国共产党党章规定：中国共产党除了工人阶级和最广大人民群众的利益，没有自己特殊的利益。中国共产党及其领导的国家是代表最广大人民根本利益的，其一切理论和路线方针政策，其一切工作部署和工作安排，都应该来自人民，都应该为人民利益而制定和实施。在这个大政治前提下，我们应该也能够广泛听取人民内部各方面的意见和建议。在中国共产党统一领导下，通过多种形式的协商，广泛听取意见和建议，广泛接受批评和监督，可以广泛达成决策和工作的最大共识，有效克服党派和利益集团为自己的利益相互竞争甚至相互倾轧的弊端；可以广泛畅通各种利益要求和诉求进入决策程序的渠道，有效克服不同政治力量为了维护和争取自己的利益固执己见、排斥异己的弊端；可以广泛形成发现和改正失误和错误的机制，有效克服决策中情况不明、自以为是的弊端；可以广泛形成人民群众参与各层次管理和治理的机制，有效克服人民群众在国家政治生活和社会治理中无法表达、难以参与的弊端；可以广泛凝聚全社会推进改革发展的智慧和力量，有效克服各项政策和工作共识不高、无以落实的弊端。这就是中国社会主义协商民主的独特优势所在。
Serving the people wholeheartedly and always representing the fundamental interests of the greatest possible majority of the people are the important preconditions and foundation for the implementation and development of deliberative democracy. It is stipulated in the Constitution of the CPC that the CPC has no special interests of its own outside of the interests of the working class and the greatest possible majority of the people. The CPC and the state it leads represent the fundamental interests of the greatest possible majority of the people, and all of their theories, lines, principles, policies, and work plans should come from the people and should be formulated and implemented for the people’s interests. With this as our major political premise, we have the obligation, and ability to listen extensively to comments and suggestions from all sectors of society.
By extensively listening to suggestions and recommendations and accepting criticism and oversight through various forms of deliberation, we will, under the CPC’s unified leadership, be able to reach the broadest possible consensus on all decisions we make and on all our work, and in doing so, ensure that factional competition and even bitter disagreement between parties and between interest groups can be avoided. We will be able to have all demands on matters affecting the interests of all sides heard before decisions are made so that political forces do not remain fixed in their own opinions or reject others with different views for the sake of their own interests. We will be able to put in place broad-based mechanisms for spotting and correcting errors so that decisions are not made without a clear understanding of the circumstances, or on the basis of belief in one’s own infallibility. We will be able to form mechanisms for ensuring people’s participation in administration and governance at all levels in order to effectively overcome the problems of the people being unable to voice their opinions and finding it difficult to take an active part in the country’s political activities and social governance. We will also be able to pool the wisdom and strength of the whole of society together to advance reform and development, effectively overcoming any problems with our decisions and work not being carried out for lack of consensus. This is where the unique strength of our socialist deliberative democracy lies.
民主不是装饰品，不是用来做摆设的，而是要用来解决人民要解决的问题的。中国共产党的一切执政活动，中华人民共和国的一切治理活动，都要尊重人民主体地位，尊重人民首创精神，拜人民为师，把政治智慧的增长、治国理政本领的增强深深扎根于人民的创造性实践之中，使各方面提出的真知灼见都能运用于治国理政。
Democracy is not an ornament to be used for decoration; it is to be used to solve the problems that the people want to solve. In all the activities of the Party as it exercises state power, and in all of China’s activities related to governance, we need to respect the people’s principal position in the country, and respect their creativity. We need to look to them as our teachers, and ensure that increasing political wisdom and strengthening the ability to govern become deeply rooted in the people’s innovative practical efforts. We need to incorporate all constructive advice and opinions from all sides of society into the governance of the country.
“天视自我民视，天听自我民听。”要坚持把实现好、维护好、发展好最广大人民根本利益作为一切工作的出发点和落脚点，我们的重大工作和重大决策必须识民情、接地气。要以人民群众利益为重、以人民群众期盼为念，真诚倾听群众呼声，真实反映群众愿望，真情关心群众疾苦。要坚持工作重心下移，深入实际、深入基层、深入群众，做到知民情、解民忧、纾民怨、暖民心，多干让人民满意的好事实事，充分调动人民群众的积极性、主动性、创造性。
As the old saying goes, “Heaven sees as the people see; Heaven hears as the people hear.” The realization, protection, and development of the fundamental interests of the greatest possible majority of the people should be the starting point and ultimate goal of all our work, and in carrying out major tasks and making major decisions we must always take into account the actual situations with the people, their opinions, and the general sentiment amongst them. We must put the people’s interests first, bear in mind their expectations, listen sincerely to their demands, work to genuinely reflect their wishes, and show concern for their difficulties. We need to be more community-focused in our work, regularly visit communities, and stay close to the people so that we can become empathetic to their actual conditions, ease their concerns, address their discontent, and enable them to feel that we care about them. We must do more for the people and bring practical benefit to them so as to spark their enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity.
——我们要切实落实推进协商民主广泛多层制度化发展这一战略任务。面向未来，发展好各项事业，巩固国家安定团结的政治局面，促进政党关系、民族关系、宗教关系、阶层关系、海内外同胞关系和谐发展，一个很重要的条件就是必须通过民主集中制的办法，广开言路，博采众谋，动员大家一起来想、一起来干。正所谓“以天下之目视，则无不见也；以天下之耳听，则无不闻也；以天下之心虑，则无不知也”。
We need to work hard to carry out the strategic task of promoting the broad-based, multilevel, and institutionalized development of deliberative democracy. Looking forward, we must adhere to the principle of democratic centralism, encourage the free airing of views, gather advice from all sides, and get every member of society to think and work for a common cause so that we can achieve success in all our programs, consolidate the political situation of stability and unity, and harmonize the relations between political parties, between ethnic groups, between religions, between social strata, and between our compatriots at home and overseas. This is what is meant by the saying, “If you use the eyes of all those under heaven to see, there is nothing you cannot see. If you use the ears of all those under heaven to hear, there is nothing you cannot hear. If you use the minds of all those under heaven to think, there is nothing you cannot understand.”
社会主义协商民主，应该是实实在在的、而不是做样子的，应该是全方位的、而不是局限在某个方面的，应该是全国上上下下都要做的、而不是局限在某一级的。因此，必须构建程序合理、环节完整的社会主义协商民主体系，确保协商民主有制可依、有规可守、有章可循、有序可遵。
Socialist deliberative democracy is not a matter of doing things for the sake of appearances; it must be carried out in a down-to-earth manner. And it must be put into practice in all respects, rather than just in a certain respect, and across the country at all levels, rather than just at a certain level. We must establish a system of socialist deliberative democracy that has reasonable procedures and is all-inclusive so as to ensure that it is carried out on the basis of proper institutions, rules and regulations, and procedures.
协商就要真协商，真协商就要协商于决策之前和决策之中，根据各方面的意见和建议来决定和调整我们的决策和工作，从制度上保障协商成果落地，使我们的决策和工作更好顺乎民意、合乎实际。要通过各种途径、各种渠道、各种方式就改革发展稳定重大问题特别是事关人民群众切身利益的问题进行广泛协商，既尊重多数人的意愿，又照顾少数人的合理要求，广纳群言、广集民智，增进共识、增强合力。要拓宽中国共产党、人民代表大会、人民政府、人民政协、民主党派、人民团体、基层组织、企事业单位、社会组织、各类智库等的协商渠道，深入开展政治协商、立法协商、行政协商、民主协商、社会协商、基层协商等多种协商，建立健全提案、会议、座谈、论证、听证、公示、评估、咨询、网络等多种协商方式，不断提高协商民主的科学性和实效性。
When we talk about deliberation, we mean real deliberation. Real deliberation requires deliberation both before and during the process of decision-making. It requires that decisions are made and work is adjusted on the basis of opinions and suggestions from all sectors. It also requires that institutions are in place to ensure the results of deliberations are implemented, so that our decisions and work both better reflect public will and are more suitable to real-life conditions.
We need to take advantage of every mechanism, every channel, and every method to conduct extensive deliberations on the major issues of reform, development, and stability, and especially on the issues that have a bearing on people’s immediate interests. We need to both respect the wishes of the majority of the people, and at the same time take into account the reasonable demands of those who are in the minority. We should extensively solicit opinions and pool wisdom from society, expand consensus, and bolster cooperative strength.
We need to expand the deliberative channels for the CPC, people’s congresses, people’s governments, the CPPCC, the democratic parties, people’s organizations, community organizations, enterprises, public institutions, social organizations, and think-tanks; we need to conduct deep-reaching deliberations on political affairs, lawmaking, government administration, democracy, social issues, and community-level issues; and we need to improve deliberation through proposals, conferences, informal discussions, seminars, hearings, public notices, assessments, consulting, the Internet, and other means. Through this, we can continue to make our deliberative democracy more scientific and effective.
人民群众是社会主义协商民主的重点。涉及人民群众利益的大量决策和工作，主要发生在基层。要按照协商于民、协商为民的要求，大力发展基层协商民主，重点在基层群众中开展协商。凡是涉及群众切身利益的决策都要充分听取群众意见，通过各种方式、在各个层级、各个方面同群众进行协商。要完善基层组织联系群众制度，加强议事协商，做好上情下达、下情上传工作，保证人民依法管理好自己的事务。要推进权力运行公开化、规范化，完善党务公开、政务公开、司法公开和各领域办事公开制度，让人民监督权力，让权力在阳光下运行。
The key element of socialist deliberative democracy lies with the people. A great number of decisions and tasks affecting people’s interests happen mainly at the community level. In line with the principle of deliberation among the people and for the people, we need to redouble our efforts in developing deliberative democracy at the community level, with a focus on conducting deliberations among community members. All decisions that affect people’s immediate interests must be made on the basis of opinions fully solicited from the people, as well as deliberations conducted with them through various means, on different levels, and from different sectors. We should improve the system by which community-level organizations maintain contact with the people, strengthen deliberation on community affairs, make a good job of two-way communication of information from the top down and the bottom up, and make sure the people manage their own affairs well in accordance with the law. We must make the exercise of power more open and standardized, and increase transparency in the operations of the Party, the government, and the judiciary, as well as in the administration of other areas. We must ensure that the people oversee the exercise of power and that power is exercised in the daylight.
同志们、朋友们！
Dear friends and colleagues,
65年前的今天，毛泽东同志在中国人民政治协商会议第一届全体会议上致开幕词时说：“我们有一个共同的感觉，这就是我们的工作将写在人类的历史上，它将表明：占人类总数四分之一的中国人从此站立起来了。”“我们的民族将从此列入爱好和平自由的世界各民族的大家庭，以勇敢而勤劳的姿态工作着，创造自己的文明和幸福，同时也促进世界的和平和自由。”今天，早已站起来的中华民族，正以自己的辛勤劳动和艰苦奋斗书写着更加辉煌的时代篇章。
65 years ago today, in his speech at the opening ceremony of the First Plenary Session of the CPPCC, Mao Zedong said, “Among us, there is the common feeling that our work will go down in the pages of human history. It will say: the Chinese people, encompassing one quarter of humanity, have now stood up.” “From now on, our nation will belong to the community of peace-loving and freedom-loving nations of the world, and will work courageously and industriously to cultivate its own civilization and happiness, while at the same time promoting world peace and freedom.” At present, the Chinese nation, long having stood up, is composing a new, even more glorious chapter of our times with diligence and dedication.
“为者常成，行者常至。”人民政协65年的光辉历程已经载入史册，中华民族的美好未来需要全体中华儿女同心开创。让我们更加紧密地团结起来，高举中国特色社会主义伟大旗帜，团结奋进、开拓创新，不断谱写人民政协事业新篇章！
There is a saying that those who keep up their efforts often achieve their goal, and those who keep on walking often reach their destination. The grand course of the CPPCC’s 65 years of development has been recorded in the annals of history, but the bright future of the Chinese nation has yet to be created, with one heart, by all of its sons and daughters. Let us be united even more closely, and hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Let us forge ahead as one, break new ground through innovation, and continue to write new chapters for the cause of the CPPCC.
来源：中央编译局
心译翻译工作室
