China's ongoing annual political high season has provided a key window through which observers can better understand China's development and its outlook.
However, if the nation and the annual two-week events are still viewed with rigid impressions offered by the West, then conclusions drawn are likely to be defective.[Special coverage]
Observers should avoid a series of biases seen in the past if they seek true objectivity when understanding China today.
BIAS NO. 1: CHINA IS "NOT A DEMOCRACY," MAJOR DECISIONS DO NOT REFLECT PEOPLE'S WILL
The essence of democracy is to be responsible for the people.
In some nations, the checks and balances of power have resulted in a political stalemate in which bitterness between parties has worsened and opposition is raised simply to disagree, rather than to discuss.
They have also seen a handful of families and hidden interests exercising influence on elections via their wealth. This kind of democracy can hardly lead to the sound governance badly needed by the people, though it may look "beautiful."
From a realistic perspective, China's democratic decision-making has displayed relatively high quality and efficiency.
As a multi-ethnic nation with a large population and territory, China values reaching consensus through broad consultation before taking measures.
The formulation of the 13th five-year plan for the national economy and social development is exemplary of this effort.
It took about nine months for a team formed by the Communist Party of China (CPC) to draft the plan's proposal, which marks priorities for national development from 2016 to 2020.
During the period, which started in January 2015, the team solicited and analyzed opinions from all walks of life and tried to include as many opinions as possible.
The proposal guided the creation of the 13th five-year plan. A draft of the plan was produced later after rounds of top-to-bottom and bottom-to-top consultation that covered all aspects of the society.
The draft plan will be submitted to the National People's Congress (NPC) for review during its ongoing annual session.
Once adopted, the propositions of the CPC will be elevated as the nation's will and implemented across the country.
Scientific and effective decision-making and implementation is a huge advantage for China's democratic system.
Currently, China is focusing on realizing the goal of finishing building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, which is the people's biggest concern. One objective is to lift more than 70 million people out of poverty by the end of 2020, a number bigger than the population of either Britain or France. This goal not only conforms to the fundamental and long-term interests of the people but also safeguards human rights.
BIAS NO. 2: "ONE-PARTY RULE" NATION CAN NOT ELIMINATE CORRUPTION
Historically, corruption is not the result of a political system, but is related to phases of economic development. In the process of industrialization, the Western nations all witnessed spreading corruption due to fast accumulation of wealth and lack of supervision.X Sure, there are problems with the CPC, which boasts more than 87 million members. Fortunately, it has been increasingly aware of the fact that if the violators are not punished, then it is offending the 1.3 billion population. Therefore, the CPC is highlighting the governing of Party members strictly.
Over the past three years, investigations into violators including Zhou Yongkang and Ling Jihua have demonstrated the CPC's determination to take a zero-tolerance stance against corruption.
