Xi celebrates Spring Festival with non-Communist figures   

習近平同黨外人士共迎新春

中華民族的傳統節日春節即將到來之際，中共中央總書記、國家主席、中央軍委主席習近平11日下午在人民大會堂同各民主黨派中央、全國工商聯負責人和無黨派人士代表歡聚一堂，共迎新春。習近平代表中共中央，向各民主黨派、工商聯和無黨派人士，向統一戰線廣大成員，致以誠摯的問候和新春的祝福。[查看全文]

Chinese President Xi Jinping celebrated the upcoming Spring Festival with non-Communist figures Thursday, stressing development of a consultative democracy.

Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli also attended the event, together with leaders of the eight non-Communist political parties, personages without party affiliation and representatives from industry and commerce.

Wan Gang, chairman of the China Zhi Gong Party Central Committee and minister of science and technology, delivered a speech on behalf of non-Communist figures, saying they will further assist the Communist Party of China (CPC) in advancing the rule of law and building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

Xi said under the leadership of CPC, China and its people, while facing a complicated international environment and an arduous task of promoting the country's reform, development and stability over the past year, have made great achievements in all aspects and cracked "hard nuts" in fields such as anti-corruption work.

Xi appreciated non-CPC organizations and figures for their contributions in making suggestions and advice for the country's overall reform, and asked for further support from them to the work in the new year.

The President called for more consultations between CPC and non-CPC political parties as one of the key aspects of the consultative democracy with Chinese characteristics.

Consultative democracy is defined as a democratic pattern in which, led by the CPC, all sections of society are consulted on major issues before and during policy-making processes.

Xi said CPC will make a more favorable environment for consultations and take a more open-minded and modest attitude in learning non-CPC parties' advice and suggestions in major state issues.