Fellow Deputies,
The system of people's congresses already has a brilliant history of more than half a century, and it has displayed huge advantages and strong vitality. Looking back on the great achievements that have been made in improving the system of people's congresses over the past 50 years and more, especially the past 30 years since the introduction of the policy of reform and opening up, and reviewing the recent experience of the Tenth NPC and its Standing Committee, we are keenly aware that in order to uphold and improve the system of people's congresses and effectively carry out the work of the NPC in the new situation, we must hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, unswervingly keep to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, steadfastly follow the guidance of the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and organically combine the leadership of the Party, the position of the people as masters of the country and the rule of law.
First, we must keep to the socialist political development path with Chinese characteristics. A country must first of all take into consideration its own situation and actual conditions when deciding what kind of path of political development it will follow. The socialist political development path with Chinese characteristics is a correct path formed by the CPC in leading the people of all the ethnic groups in China during a long period of arduous struggle. In terms of the system of political power, keeping to this path means practicing the system of people's congresses. In terms of the system of political parties, it means practicing the system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC. In terms of areas with concentrations of ethnic minorities, it means practicing a system of regional ethnic autonomy. Finally, it means practicing autonomy at the community level in urban areas and village level in rural areas. This path has both scientific guidelines and a well-organized framework of institutions, as well as clearly oriented values, effective forms and a reliable driving force. It embodies the features and advantages of socialist democratic politics with Chinese characteristics. Time has amply shown that this is a path of political development that suits the conditions in China and that it is conducive to unleashing and developing the productive forces, enhancing overall national strength and improving living standards. It is also conducive to safeguarding national unity, increasing solidarity among ethnic groups and promoting social harmony, as well as to ensuring that the CPC can lead the people in effectively governing the country and achieving lasting peace and stability of the nation. The system of people's congresses, the fundamental political system of the country, is an important component of the socialist political development path with Chinese characteristics. In keeping to the socialist political development path with Chinese characteristics, it is important to uphold and improve the system of people's congresses. China's political system is neither a system of checks and balances among three branches nor a bicameral system. The NPC exercises state power in a unified way, and the administrative, judicial and procuratorial organs of the state are all created by the NPC, are responsible to it and are overseen by it. Although the various state organs have different responsibilities, their goals are all exactly the same. They all carry out their work in a coordinated manner under the leadership of the CPC. In order to keep to the socialist political development path with Chinese characteristics and adhere to and improve the system of people's congresses, we must correctly balance the relationship between the NPC on the one hand and the State Council, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate on the other. The NPC should fully fulfill its responsibilities in collectively exercising state power, but it cannot take over the exercise of administrative, judicial or procuratorial power. The NPC decides on major principles and policies of the country by formulating laws and making resolutions in accordance with the stands of the Party and the will of the people. It also oversees and supports the State Council, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate in carrying out their administrative functions in accordance with the law and ensures that they are fair in exercising their judicial functions, and that state organs carry out their work in a coordinated and effective manner. The NPC must truly use the power granted to it by the people to further their interests, giving full play to the advantages of the system of people's congresses. The most fundamental aspect of keeping to the socialist political development path with Chinese characteristics and upholding and improving the system of people's congresses is organically integrating the leadership of the Party, the position of the people as the masters of the country and the rule of law, and the key is upholding the leadership of the Party. The leadership of the Party is a fundamental guarantee both for retaining the position of the people as masters of the country and ensuring that the country is run by the rule of law and for upholding and improving the system of people's congresses and effectively carrying out the work of the NPC in the new situation. We must conscientiously uphold the leadership of the Party to ensure that the stands of the Party become the will of the state through legally stipulated procedures and that the personnel recommended by Party organizations become the leaders of the organs of state power through legally stipulated procedures. The work of the NPC, including legislative work, oversight work and deciding on major issues, must all be conducive to improving the leadership of the Party, consolidating its position as the ruling party and ensuring that it is able to lead the people in effectively running the country.