Quality democracy expected out of right political formula

As China celebrates the 60th anniversary of the founding of its political system, the country is reflecting on the system's successful past while contemplating methods to improve performance in a way that fits the reality of a changing China.

The First National People's Congress (NPC) was convened on Sept. 15, 1954, marking the establishment of a new political system - the people's congress system - designed to empower the people's voice in politics.

China has marched far in the development of its political system and achieved great progress in the past six decades.

Important moves like the mandatory retirement of senior officials were made in the 1980s, spearheaded by the charismatic Deng Xiaoping.

The country has also ensured the exercise of state power by the people through the people's congress by developing a system of socialist consultative democracy, community-level democracy and the broadest possible patriotic united front.

The top legislature also took measures to promote law-based governance and the establishment of an effective oversight system to ensure proper use of power.

The progress in democratic, political and legal systems has backed the "China miracle," featuring rapid economic growth, augmented national power, and long-term social stability.

With increased confidence in the country's own political system, the Chinese leadership has vowed to boost socialist democracy in the country's future development.

Addressing a rally to mark the NPC's anniversary earlier this month.Chinese President Xi Jinping urged adherence to and improvement on the people's congress system to make the people's democracy more extensive in scope and more sound in practice.

Efforts must be made to guarantee people's power of vote as well as democratic decision-making, management and supervision in accordance to law, Xi said. He then called for measures at the grass-roots level to prevent the phenomenon of an illusion of power in which people seem to have control but are actually powerless.

"Socialist democracy" is a key word in the President's speech.

Advancing socialist democracy is a must for modernizing China's governance system and governance capability, he said, stressing the importance of the rule of law in the country's development.

China is now at a crucial stage in deepening its reform, readjusting its economic structure and upgrading its model of social development. Varied problems and conflicts, with some in extreme forms, have arose amid the process.

It is important to adhere to a democratic, open and scientific legislative process to channel China's development and major reform measures into the legal framework while gradually expanding citizens' orderly participation in legislative work.

One thing that should be noted is that the reform of the socialist political system is an ongoing and dynamic process, far from achieving its goals. It entails continuous and arduous efforts to advance it with the times.