World political parties, social organizations issue joint statement to explore path toward democracy

355 political parties, social organizations and think tanks from 140 countries and regions contacted the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee in various ways to issue Monday the Joint Statement of World Political Parties, Social Organizations and Think Tanks on Making Independent Efforts to Explore the Path toward Democracy and Working Together to Promote Common Development.

The statement emphasized that democracy represents an important achievement of humanity in the advancement of political civilisation, and there is no democratic system and development model applicable to all countries, opposing any interference in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of democracy.

According to the statement, the fascinating feature of human civilisations lies in diversity. Due to the fact that different countries and regions may not necessarily share the same history, culture, social system and development stage, the ways and means they are realising democracy may vary.

There does not exist any system of democracy or pattern of development that is applicable to all countries, and the practice of judging the rich variety of political systems around the world by a single yardstick, or observing the colorful political civilisations of the humanity from a monochromatic sight, is in itself undemocratic, said the statement.

The statement held the view that the judgement on whether a country is democratic hinges on whether the people can become the real masters of the country, whether the people can enjoy the right to vote, whether their right of extensive participation is guaranteed, how many of the promises during election campaigns are fulfilled after elections, whether stipulated political regulations and laws are rigorously enforced, and whether the exercise of power is truly subject to the supervision and restraint by the people.

The statement pointed out that democracy is the right of all peoples rather than an exclusive privilege of the few, and the judgement on whether a country is democratic or not should be made by their people.

The statement demonstrated that making international relations more democratic is the trend of the times, and the only way to realise this lies in putting true multilateralism into practice.

The statement appealed for a human community with a shared future, featuring peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom, calling for countries with different social systems, ideologies, histories, cultures and levels of development to share interests, rights and responsibilities in international affairs and work together to build a better world.