On the Uniqueness of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference in Practicing the People-Centered Development Thought

The people are the source of strength for the Party’s governance, and the people’s happiness is the goal of the Party’s governance and national rejuvenation. In the New Era, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has integrated the Marxist thought on the people as the subject with contemporary Chinese reality, deepened the Party’s fundamental purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly, and creatively put forward the people-centered development thought. This thought takes the people-centered approach as its basic dimension, forming a logical system of “one basic stance, two basic driving forces, and one ultimate goal”—taking the people as the basic stance, the full satisfaction of the people’s interests and the effective exertion of the people’s role as the basic driving forces, and the people’s satisfaction as the ultimate goal. It is an important guideline for the Party’s governance for the people in the New Era. In March 2018, the *Work Report of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference* pointed out: “We must adhere to the people-centered approach, uphold the CPPCC serving the people, and take better meeting the people’s ever-growing needs for a better life as the starting point and落脚点 of all CPPCC work.” [n] In September 2019, Xi Jinping further clarified the work requirements of the CPPCC serving the people at the Central CPPCC Work Conference and the Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, namely: “The CPPCC must take continuously meeting the people’s needs for a better life and promoting the improvement of people’s wellbeing as important focal points, listen to the voices of the masses, reflect the wishes of the masses, grasp practical issues in the field of people’s livelihood to do a good job, and assist the Party and government in enhancing the people’s welfare.” This is also the inevitable requirement for the CPPCC to practice the people-centered development thought. It is necessary to deeply explore the functional positioning and unique advantages of the CPPCC in practicing the people-centered development thought, systematically analyze the performance requirements that the people-centered development thought places on the CPPCC in the New Era, and then accurately grasp the mechanism by which the CPPCC practices the people-centered development thought, so as to provide useful reference for promoting the concrete and realistic implementation of the people-centered development thought in the practice of Chinese-path modernization.

人民是党治国理政的力量源泉，人民幸福是党执政兴国的奋斗目标。新时代，以习近平同志为核心的党中央将马克思主义人民主体思想与当代中国实际相结合，深化党全心全意为人民服务的根本宗旨，创造性地提出了以人民为中心的发展思想。这一思想把以人民为中心作为基本向度，形成了以人民群众为基本立场、以人民利益充分满足和人民作用有效发挥为基本动力、以人民满意为最终目的的“一个基本立场、两大基本动力、一个最终目的”的逻辑体系，是新时代中国共产党执政为民的重要遵循。2018年3月，《中国人民政治协商会议全国委员会常务委员会工作报告》指出，“要坚持以人民为中心，坚持人民政协为人民，把更好满足人民日益增长的美好生活需要作为政协全部工作的出发点和落脚点”。2019年9月，习近平在中央政协工作会议暨庆祝中国人民政治协商会议成立70周年大会上进一步明确了人民政协为人民的工作要求，即“人民政协要把不断满足人民对美好生活的需要、促进民生改善作为重要着力点，倾听群众呼声，反映群众愿望，抓住民生领域实际问题做好工作，协助党和政府增进人民福祉”。这也是人民政协践行以人民为中心的发展思想的必然要求。要深入挖掘人民政协在践行以人民为中心的发展思想中的功能定位与独特优势，系统分析以人民为中心的发展思想在新时代对人民政协提出的履职要求，进而精准把握人民政协践行以人民为中心的发展思想的机制，为推进以人民为中心的发展思想具体地、现实地贯彻于中国式现代化实践提供有益参考。

I. The Functional Positioning of the CPPCC in Practicing the People-Centered Development Thought

一、人民政协在践行以人民为中心的发展思想中的功能定位

The people-centered development thought is the core content of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the basic guideline for all work in the New Era. As an institutional arrangement with Chinese characteristics, the CPPCC shoulders the responsibility and mission of practicing the people-centered development thought. It is necessary to deeply analyze the functional positioning of the CPPCC in practicing the people-centered development thought from multiple perspectives, laying a solid cognitive foundation for the CPPCC to deeply practice the people-centered development thought.

以人民为中心的发展思想是习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的核心内容，也是新时代做好一切工作的基本遵循。人民政协作为具有中国特色的制度安排，肩负着践行以人民为中心的发展思想的职责和使命。要从多个角度出发，深入分析人民政协在践行以人民为中心的发展思想中的功能定位，为人民政协深入践行以人民为中心的发展思想奠定坚实的认知基础。

(1) From the Perspective of Top-Level Design, the CPPCC Is an Important Platform for Practicing the People-Centered Development Thought

(一)从顶层布局看，人民政协是践行以人民为中心的发展思想的重要平台

As a unique institutional arrangement for people’s democracy, the CPPCC effectively promotes the people being the masters of the country and is an important platform for practicing the people-centered development thought. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee has intensively issued a series of institutional documents on strengthening and improving the work of the CPPCC, placing the work of the CPPCC in the overall framework of China’s democratic political construction, the development of whole-process people’s democracy, and the national governance system, thereby providing value orientation, policy support, normative basis, and political guarantee for the CPPCC to practice the people-centered development thought in the New Era.

人民政协作为人民民主的独特制度性安排，有效推进了人民当家作主，是践行以人民为中心的发展思想的重要平台。党的十八大以来，党中央密集出台一系列关于加强和改进人民政协工作的制度文件，将人民政协工作放到我国民主政治建设、发展全过程人民民主和国家治理体系的大格局中加以部署，为新时代人民政协践行以人民为中心的发展思想提供了价值取向、政策支持、规范依据和政治保障。

As an important form of China’s new type of political party system, the CPPCC, together with the National People’s Congress, is an important political institutional arrangement for deepening people’s democracy. “People’s democracy is a whole-process democracy.” Whole-process people’s democracy was created in response to the evolution of the principal contradiction in Chinese society in the New Era. Whole-process people’s democracy respects the people’s principal position, and “its essence is to ensure, through an institutional system of the people being the masters of the country, that the people truly become the masters of the country, society, and their own destiny.” Therefore, whole-process people’s democracy is a high-quality people’s democracy, which aligns with the people-oriented nature of the people-centered development thought and is a new interpretation of the people-centered development thought. As an institutional arrangement with Chinese characteristics, the CPPCC shares the same origin with consultative democracy, satisfies the demands of multiple subjects through extensive channels of consultative participation, strives to reach democratic consensus, effectively guarantees the people being the masters of the country, and is an important institutional platform for upholding and developing whole-process people’s democracy. In concrete practice, the CPPCC collects public opinion and pools public wisdom by building specialized consultative platforms, respects and responds to the demands and feedback of the people, making the people’s political participation more reasonable and standardized, truly embodying the character and traits of being for the people, relying on the people, and serving the people. It is a political community that is both people-oriented and professional. From this perspective, the CPPCC and the people-centered development thought achieve a closer logical connection through whole-process people’s democracy, and the CPPCC, in the process of practicing people’s democracy, has already become an important platform for practicing the people-centered development thought.

人民政协作为中国新型政党制度的重要形式，与全国人大一起，是深入推进人民民主的重要政治制度安排。“人民民主是一种全过程的民主”。全过程人民民主，是在回应新时代我国社会主要矛盾的过程中创生的。全过程人民民主尊重人民的主体地位，“本质就是以人民当家作主的制度体系确保人民真正成为国家、社会和自己命运的主人”。所以，全过程人民民主是一种高质量的人民民主，契合了以人民为中心的发展思想的人民性本质，是对以人民为中心的发展思想的新阐释。人民政协作为具有中国特色的制度安排，与协商民主同根同源，通过广泛的协商参与渠道满足多元主体的诉求，争取达成民主共识，有效保障了人民当家作主，是坚持和发展全过程人民民主的重要制度平台。在具体实践中，人民政协通过搭建专门协商平台汇集民意、集中民智，尊重和回应人民群众的诉求与反馈，使人民群众的政治参与更为合理和规范，真正体现出为了人民、依靠人民和服务人民的品格和特质，是兼具人民性和专业性的政治共同体。由此而言，人民政协与以人民为中心的发展思想通过全过程人民民主实现了更为紧密的逻辑衔接，人民政协在践行人民民主的过程中已然成为实践以人民为中心的发展思想的重要平台。

(2) From the Perspective of Nature and Positioning, the CPPCC Bears the Important Mission of Practicing the People-Centered Development Thought

(二)从性质定位看，人民政协承载着践行以人民为中心的发展思想的重要使命

In the New Era, the CPPCC upholds fundamental principles and breaks new ground in its nature and positioning, consistently integrating the people-centered development thought into all aspects of its work. “To do a good job in the work of the CPPCC, we must adhere to the nature and positioning of the CPPCC.” This is because the nature and positioning of the CPPCC determine its role and mission in the development of China’s socialist democratic politics, as well as its mode of performing functions and direction of development. Over more than 70 years, the CPPCC has kept pace with the times, serving the central tasks of the Party and the state, with its core work lying in reflecting public opinion, pooling public wisdom, and凝聚民心, shouldering the historical responsibility of embodying and implementing the people-centered development thought.

新时代，人民政协在性质定位上守正创新，始终将以人民为中心的发展思想贯穿于工作的各个方面。“做好人民政协工作，必须坚持人民政协的性质定位”。这是因为人民政协的性质定位决定了其在我国社会主义民主政治发展中的角色和使命，决定了其履职方式和发展方向。70多年来，人民政协不断与时俱进，服务党和国家中心任务，其工作核心在于反映民意、集中民智、凝聚民心，肩负着体现和落实以人民为中心的发展思想这一历史重任。

First, as an organization of the united front, the CPPCC has broad representativeness and inclusiveness, bearing the political responsibility of凝聚 the wisdom and strength of Chinese people at home and abroad. Uniting all forces that can be united, seeking the greatest common divisor, drawing the largest concentric circle, and forming a strong social synergy—this is the fundamental value orientation of the CPPCC as an organization of the united front, consistently for the people.

首先，人民政协作为统一战线的组织具有广泛的代表性和包容性，承担着凝聚海内外中华儿女智慧和力量的政治责任。团结一切可以团结的力量，寻求最大公约数，画出最大同心圆，形成强大的社会合力，这是人民政协作为统一战线的组织一以贯之的为了人民的根本价值取向。

Second, as an institution for multiparty cooperation and political consultation, the CPPCC maintains its original aspiration of serving the people. Unlike political parties in Western countries that emerged to operate parliamentary democracy, China’s democratic parties all grew and developed in the struggle for democracy and against feudal autocracy. Their purpose is to actively perform the functions of political consultation, democratic supervision, and participation in the deliberation and administration of state affairs, to promote scientific and democratic decision-making, to serve the people sincerely, and to contribute to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

其次，作为多党合作和政治协商的机构，人民政协保持着为人民服务的初心。与西方国家为运行议会民主而产生的政党不同，中国的各民主党派都是在争取民主和反对封建专制中成长和发展起来的，其目的都是为了通过积极履行政治协商、民主监督和参政议政职能推进决策的科学化和民主化，真心实意为人民服务，为实现中华民族伟大复兴贡献力量。

Third, as an important form of realizing people’s democracy, the CPPCC ensures the realization of the people’s right to be the masters of the country. Unlike electoral democracy in Western countries, consultative democracy places greater emphasis on allowing the people to participate broadly, continuously, and deeply in the policy-making process through multiple consultative channels and forms, safeguarding the people’s rights to be informed, to express, to participate, and to oversee, embodying the spiritual essence of the people being the masters of the country. As an important component of the national governance system, the CPPCC assists the Party and government in enhancing the people’s welfare. This positioning combines the CPPCC with national governance, endowing the CPPCC with the responsibility and mission to assist the Party and government in doing a good job in livelihood projects, aiming to effectively integrate the demands and wisdom of all social strata and sectors into national decision-making through the organizational advantages of the CPPCC, thereby making positive contributions to advancing the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity.

再次，作为人民民主的重要实现形式，人民政协确保人民当家作主的权利得以实现。与西方国家的选举民主不同，协商民主更加强调通过多种协商渠道与形式让人民广泛、持续、深入地参与政策制定过程，保障人民的知情权、表达权、参与权、监督权，体现人民当家作主的精神实质。作为国家治理体系的重要组成部分，人民政协协助党和政府增进人民福祉。这一定位将人民政协与国家治理相结合，赋予人民政协协助党和政府做好民生工程的职责和使命，旨在以人民政协的组织优势将社会各阶层、各界别的诉求与智慧有效融入国家决策，为推进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化作出积极贡献。

Finally, as an institutional arrangement with Chinese characteristics, the CPPCC highlights the people-oriented value orientation of Chinese-style democracy. Compared with representative democracy in Western countries, “the CPPCC is rooted in Chinese history and culture, emerged from the great struggle of the Chinese people’s revolution in modern times, and developed in the brilliant practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics,” making it a democratic method more suited to China’s national conditions. The CPPCC, with its unique model of consultative democracy and mode of operation, listens to public opinion, seeks consensus, and resolves conflicts. It not only embodies the political wisdom of inclusiveness and accommodation of the Chinese nation but also reflects the development requirements of China’s socialist democratic politics. It is an institutional arrangement that more prominently highlights the people-oriented value orientation of Chinese-style democracy.

最后，作为一种具有中国特色的制度安排，人民政协凸显了中国式民主的人民性价值取向。相较于西方国家的代议制民主而言，“人民政协植根于中国历史文化，产生于近代以后中国人民革命的伟大斗争，发展于中国特色社会主义光辉实践”,是更符合中国国情的民主方式。人民政协以独特的协商民主模式和运行方式倾听民意、寻求共识、化解矛盾，不仅体现了中华民族兼容并蓄的政治智慧，而且反映了我国社会主义民主政治的发展要求，是更加凸显中国式民主的人民性价值取向的制度安排。

In sum, the nature and positioning of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in the New Era determine that it has a natural and inseparable connection with the people, and also determine that it must inevitably carry out its work around the will and demands of the people, shouldering the responsibility and mission of practicing the people-centered development thought.

总而言之，新时代人民政协的性质定位决定了其与人民有着天然的、密不可分的联系，也决定了其必然要围绕人民群众的意愿和要求开展工作，肩负起践行以人民为中心的发展思想的责任和使命。

(3) From the perspective of performance effectiveness, the CPPCC manifests the value essence of the people-centered development thought

(三)从履职效果看，人民政协彰显了以人民为中心的发展思想的价值本质

In the New Era, the CPPCC is diligent in consultation, bold in supervision, and adept in offering advice. It integrates the value concept of “the CPPCC for the people” throughout the entire process, all fields, and all aspects of its performance, achieving practical results in gathering the people’s wisdom, smoothing the people’s expression of views, and resolving the people’s concerns, thereby manifesting the people-oriented value of the people-centered development thought.

新时代，人民政协勤于协商、敢于监督、善于建言， 将人民政协为人民的价值理念融会贯通于履职工作全过程、全领域、全方位，实现了人民政协聚民智、畅民意、解民忧的履职实效，彰显了以人民为中心的发展思想的人民性价值。

First, political consultation is the primary function of the CPPCC. In performing this function, the CPPCC effectively guarantees the institutionalization of the people’s political participation. In 2023, the National Committee of the CPPCC held “94 consultation activities of various types, with a total of 5,087 participants and 1,602 speakers”; Yunnan Province “cumulatively carried out 983 sessions of ‘courtyard consultations,’ helping to resolve over 2,800 specific issues”; Liaoning Province “organized a total of 7,021 consultation activities and 2,270 policy briefings throughout the year, helping to resolve 4,015 practical livelihood issues.” The conduct of these consultation activities allows all social groups to enjoy equal rights to speak and make suggestions, thereby transforming spontaneous, non-institutionalized social participation into organized, institutionalized political participation, reflecting public opinion to the greatest extent and alleviating the people’s concerns. This makes the CPPCC’s role in using the institutional system to ensure the people’s position as masters of the country increasingly prominent. Second, democratic supervision is an effective way to safeguard the interests of the broad masses of the people. The CPPCC fully leverages its advantages in consultation or supervision, supervising the implementation of national laws, regulations, guidelines, and policies, as well as government work, through means such as offering advice and suggestions, criticism, and recommendations. It takes the people’s urgent, difficult, anxious, and expectant issues as the focus of supervision, ensuring that the policy formulation and implementation process truly reflects the people’s will, thereby achieving supervision that “hits the mark” and “reaches the key point.” Third, participation in the deliberation and administration of state affairs is a basic process for promoting the realization of the people’s interests. Under the circumstances of a profound analysis of the changes in the principal contradiction in Chinese society in the New Era, the CPPCC actively responds to the people’s needs of the times, seeking benefits for the people’s livelihood and alleviating their concerns through forms such as inspections, research, proposals, and suggestions. Looking back at 2023, the Chengdu Municipal Committee of the CPPCC “implemented 63 key consultation and research projects, submitted 1,108 proposals, of which 886 were placed on file, collected 2,980 items of social conditions and public opinion information, submitted 1,558 items, and had 302 items adopted”; the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the CPPCC “organized over 170 research and inspection activities, submitted 25 research reports; submitted 1,080 proposals, of which 992 were placed on file, and 971 were concluded.” Thanks to solid grassroots research and extensive listening to public opinion, these research reports and proposals precisely matched the demands of the people, effectively avoiding the problem of proposals being divorced from the masses and from reality, ensuring the pertinence and feasibility of the proposals and suggestions, thereby more appropriately empowering and serving the people. It can be seen that the performance of the function of participation in the deliberation and administration of state affairs builds a bridge between the people and state power, ensuring that the formulation and implementation of various policies always serve the fundamental interests of the broadest masses of the people. Therefore, it is regarded as a basic process for promoting the realization of the people’s interests.

首先，政治协商是人民政协的首要职能，人民政协在履行这一职能的过程中有效保障了人民群众政治参与的制度化。2023年，全国政协举办了“各类协商活动94场次，共5087人次参加、1602人次发言”;云南省“累计开展‘院坝协商’983场次，助推解决具体问题2800余个”;辽宁省“全年共组织协商活动7021次、政策宣讲2270场次，助推解决民生实际问题4015件”。这些协商活动的开展，让社会各界群体均享有平等的发言权和建议权，从而使自发的、非制度化的社会参与转化成有组织的、制度化的政治参与，最大限度地反映了民意、排解了民忧，使人民政协用制度体系保障人民当家作主的作用愈益凸显。其次，民主监督是维护广大人民群众利益的有效方式。人民政协充分发挥协商或监督优势，通过建言献策、批评建议等方式，对国家法律法规、方针政策的实施情况以及政府工作进行监督，把人民群众的急难愁盼问题作为监督重点，确保政策制定和执行过程真正体现人民意志，从而实现“监”到点子上、“督”到关键处。再次，参政议政是促进人民群众利益实现的基本过程。人民政协在深刻分析新时代我国社会主要矛盾发生变化的情况下，主动回应人民群众的时代需求，以视察、调研、提案、建议等形式，谋民生之利、解民生之忧。回首2023年，成都市政协“实施重点协商调研63项，提交提案1108件、立案886件，收集社情民意信息2980条、报送1558条、被采用302条”;上海市政协“组织调研视察活动170余次，报送调研报告25篇；提交提案1080件，立案992件，办结971件”。得益于扎实的基层调研和广泛的民意倾听，这些调研报告与提案精准对接了民众诉求，有效避免了提案脱离群众、脱离实际的问题，确保了提案和建议的针对性和可行性，从而更贴切地赋能于民、服务于民。可以看出，参政议政职能的履行搭建起人民群众与国家政权之间的桥梁，确保了各项政策的制定和实施始终服务于最广大人民群众的根本利益，因此被视为促进人民群众利益实现的基本过程。

The people-centered development thought requires always putting the people’s interests first, adhering to the principal position of the people, and “insisting that development is for the people, development relies on the people, and the fruits of development are shared by the people.” In the process of performing its duties, the CPPCC safeguards the people’s position as masters of the country through the institutionalized political participation of the masses, protects the interests of the broad masses of the people through democratic supervision, and promotes the realization of the people’s interests through the process of participation in the deliberation and administration of state affairs. This aligns with the core connotation of the people-centered development thought and is a true manifestation of the people-oriented value of this thought.

以人民为中心的发展思想要求始终把人民的利益放在首位，坚持人民主体地位，“坚持发展为了人民、发展依靠人民、发展成果由人民共享”,而人民政协在履职过程中以人民群众的制度化政治参与保障人民当家作主地位，以民主监督的方式维护广大人民群众利益，以参政议政过程促进人民群众利益实现，契合了以人民为中心的发展思想的核心内涵，是对这一思想的人民性价值的真实体现。

II. Performance Requirements for the CPPCC to Practice the People-Centered Development Thought

二、人民政协践行以人民为中心的发展思想的履职要求

The people-centered development thought is a major theoretical innovation made by the Party Central Committee in view of the transformation of the principal contradiction in Chinese society in the New Era, and it puts forward a series of new requirements for the work of the CPPCC in the New Era. If the CPPCC is to have new responsibilities and new achievements in the New Era, it must engrave the performance requirements put forward by this thought for the CPPCC in its heart and implement them in its actions, running the people-centered development thought through the entire process of the CPPCC’s performance.

以人民为中心的发展思想是党中央着眼于新时代我国社会主要矛盾转化而作出的重大理论创新，对新时代人民政协工作提出了一系列新要求。人民政协要想在新时代有新担当、新作为，就要将这一思想对人民政协提出的履职要求镌刻在心中、落实在行中，把以人民为中心的发展思想贯穿于人民政协履职全过程。

(1) Clarify “for whom,” firmly establishing the fundamental stance that development is for the people

(一)明晰“为了谁”,站稳发展为了人民的根本立场

Stance is the fundamental starting point for understanding and handling all matters. The CPPCC comes from the people and is rooted in the people. The performance of the CPPCC’s duties must consistently and unwaveringly establish the fundamental stance that development is for the people. “The question of for whom and relying on whom is the touchstone for testing the nature of a political party or a regime.” Since its founding, the Communist Party of China has inscribed serving the people and seeking benefits for the people on its banner of struggle, clearly answering the question of “for whom.” The CPC’s people-centered development thought emphasizes that development is for the people, insists on placing the people in the highest position in the heart, safeguards the fundamental interests of the masses, and responds to the practical issues of concern to the people, vividly reflecting the CPC’s fundamental stance.

立场是认识和处理一切事物的根本出发点。人民政协来自人民、根植人民，人民政协的履职工作必须始终如一地站稳发展为了人民的根本立场。“为什么人、靠什么人的问题，是检验一个政党、一个政权性质的试金石”。中国共产党自成立以来就将为民服务和为民谋利写在自己的奋斗旗帜上，明确回答了“为了谁”的问题。中国共产党以人民为中心的发展思想强调发展为了人民，坚持把人民放在心中最高位置，维护人民群众的根本利益，回应人民群众关心的现实问题，鲜明地体现了中国共产党的根本立场。

As a political organization led by the CPC, the CPPCC is an important front for implementing the Party’s various work tasks and an important platform for arming representatives from all walks of life with the Party’s innovative theories. This requires the CPPCC to unswervingly practice the people-centered development thought, clarify its service targets and value orientation in the process of performing its duties, firmly establish the fundamental stance that development is for the people, and safeguard the fundamental interests of the masses. The CPPCC must grasp the general direction of consultative deliberation, carry out high-quality consultative deliberation activities around issues concerning the people’s vital interests such as education, medical care, and employment, conduct research and investigations on major issues affecting the people’s美好生活 [2]2 The term “美好生活” (meihao shenghuo), often translated as “a better life” or “a good life,” is a standard phrase in CPC discourse referring to the people’s aspirations for improved living standards, well-being, and quality of life, as articulated in the principal contradiction of the New Era., gather the people’s wisdom and public opinion, truly go out and bring back, and genuinely consult with the people and for the people. The CPPCC’s suggestions and proposals must serve the people and respond to the practical issues of concern to the people. Employment difficulties, rising housing prices, and expensive medical care are all practical issues of greatest concern to the people. The degree to which these issues are resolved is related to the people’s satisfaction with the effectiveness of the CPPCC’s performance. This requires the CPPCC’s suggestions and proposals to focus on the people’s urgent, difficult, anxious, and expectant issues, open up channels for opinions and talents, and put forward constructive opinions for the Party and government to solve the people’s practical difficulties in the form of proposals and suggestions, truly achieving “words for the people and plans for the people.”

人民政协作为中国共产党领导的政治组织，是落实党的各项工作任务的重要阵地，是用党的创新理论武装各界代表人士的重要平台。这就要求人民政协必须毫不动摇地践行以人民为中心的发展思想，在履职过程中明晰自己的服务对象和价值导向，站稳发展为了人民的根本立场，维护人民群众的根本利益。人民政协要把握协商议政的大方向，围绕教育、医疗、就业等有关群众切身利益的问题开展高质量协商议政活动，围绕影响人民群众美好生活的重大问题开展调查研究，汇集民智民意，真实地走出去、取回来，真正地协商于民、协商为民。人民政协建言献策要服务人民，回应人民群众关心的现实问题。就业困难、房价上涨、看病昂贵等都是人民群众最为关心的现实问题，这些问题的解决程度关系着人民群众对人民政协履职效果的满意程度。这就要求人民政协建言献策要聚焦人民群众的急难愁盼问题，广开言路、广开才路，以提案、建议等形式为党和政府提出解决人民现实难题的建设性意见，真正做到言为民建、策为民谋。

(2) Clarify “rely on whom,” consolidating the main force of development relying on the people

(二)明确“依靠谁”,凝聚发展依靠人民的主体力量

The people are the fundamental force driving development. In practicing the people-centered development thought, the CPPCC must, on the basis of clarifying the starting point and foothold of development, pay attention to the method of development, and take broadly building consensus as the central link in the CPPCC’s performance. “The people are the creators of history and the fundamental force determining the future and destiny of the Party and the country.” Starting from historical materialism, the people-centered development thought answers the question of the fundamental driving force for promoting China’s social development, that is, development relies on the people. Adhering to the people-centered development thought means, on the basis of affirming the principal position of the masses, giving full play to the people’s pioneering spirit, drawing on the people’s wisdom, consolidating the people’s strength, maintaining close ties with the people, always believing in the people, and relying on the people to create historical great causes.

人民是推动发展的根本力量，人民政协践行以人民为中心的发展思想要在明晰发展的出发点和落脚点的基础上重视发展的方法问题，把广泛凝聚共识作为人民政协履职的中心环节。“人民是历史的创造者，是决定党和国家前途命运的根本力量”。以人民为中心的发展思想从唯物史观出发回答了推动我国社会发展的根本动力问题，即发展依靠人民。坚持以人民为中心的发展思想就是要在肯定人民群众主体地位的基础上发挥人民的首创精神，汲取人民的智慧，凝聚人民的力量，密切联系人民，始终相信人民，依靠人民创造历史伟业。

The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is neither an organ of power nor an organ of decision-making, but a specialized consultative body. Building consensus and pooling strength are the core functions of the CPPCC. This requires that, in practicing the people-centered development thought, the CPPCC consolidate the principal force of the people and transform the people-centered development thought into a common ideological foundation for united struggle. Specifically, first, political consultation must value the people and respect their principal position. Consultative democracy is the essence of people’s democracy. The CPPCC must respect the people’s status as the subject of practice and the subject of consultation, unite people from all walks of life, and extensively listen to the opinions and suggestions of the masses before decisions are made and during their implementation, so as to promote democracy, enhance unity, and facilitate scientific and democratic decision-making. Second, democratic supervision must rely on the people and stimulate their sense of being masters of the country. The people are the masters of the state and society. The CPPCC must stimulate the people’s sense of being masters of the country through measures such as smoothing supervision channels and improving supervision mechanisms, mobilize the people’s enthusiasm and initiative in participating in the management of state affairs, unite the people, and thereby prevent the abuse of power and safeguard social fairness and justice. Third, participation in the deliberation and administration of state affairs must go deep among the masses and draw on their wisdom. The masses are the subjects of social practice and possess abundant wisdom. When conducting investigations and research and reflecting social conditions and public opinion, the CPPCC “must consciously take the people as teachers, seek advice from the capable, and ask the wise for strategies.” [3]3 Xi Jinping, “Speech at a Symposium with Experts and Scholars in the Field of Education, Culture, Health and Sports” (September 22, 2020), *Qiushi* 2020, no. 19.

人民政协既不是权力机关，也不是决策机关，而是专门的协商机构。凝聚共识、凝聚力量是人民政协的核心职能。这就要求人民政协在践行以人民为中心的发展思想过程中凝聚人民的主体力量，把以人民为中心的发展思想转化为团结奋斗的共同思想基础。具体地说，首先，政治协商要重视人民，尊重人民主体地位。协商民主是人民民主的真谛，人民政协要尊重人民的实践主体、协商主体地位，团结社会各界人士，在决策之前和决策实施之中广泛听取人民群众的意见和建议，做到发扬民主、增进团结，促进科学决策和民主决策。其次，民主监督要依靠人民，激发人民的主人翁意识。人民是国家和社会的主人，人民政协要通过畅通监督渠道、健全监督机制等举措激发人民的主人翁意识，调动人民参与国家事务管理的积极性和主动性，把人民凝聚起来，进而防止权力滥用，保障社会公平正义。再次，参政议政要深入人民群众，汲取人民群众的智慧。人民群众是社会实践的主体，蕴含丰富的智慧，人民政协开展调查研究、反映社情民意 “必须自觉拜人民为师，向能者求教，向智者问策”。

(3) Understanding “who shares,” adhering to the value orientation of the people sharing in the fruits of development

(三)明白“谁共享”,坚持发展成果由人民共享的价值取向

The people sharing in the fruits of development is the essential embodiment of socialism. As an important form for promoting socialist democracy and practicing whole-process people’s democracy, the CPPCC must adhere to the value orientation of the people sharing in the fruits of development in the performance of its duties. Western capitalist countries advocate a development thought that emphasizes growth over distribution and encourages economic privatization, resulting in most of the fruits of their development being concentrated in the hands of a few, leading to ever-widening gaps between rich and poor and endless social contradictions. In contrast, China has always taken “eliminating exploitation, eradicating polarization, and ultimately achieving common prosperity” as its own development goal, emphasizing not only making the “cake” of economic and social development bigger but also dividing it well, focusing on maintaining social fairness and justice, and highlighting the socialist essence of the people sharing in the fruits of development.

发展成果由人民共享是社会主义的本质体现。人民政协作为发扬社会主义民主、实践全过程人民民主的重要形式，在履职过程中必须坚持发展成果由人民共享的价值取向。西方资本主义国家倡导重发展、轻分配的发展思想，鼓励经济私有化，使得其发展的大部分成果掌握在少数人手中，导致贫富差距越来越大，社会矛盾层出不穷。与此不同，中国始终以“消灭剥削，消除两极分化，最终达到共同富裕”作为自身的发展目标，强调不仅要把经济社会发展的“蛋糕”做大，还要分好“蛋糕”,注重维护社会公平正义，凸显了发展成果由人民共享的社会主义本质。

As an important form for promoting socialist democracy, the CPPCC plays a key role in resolving contradictions, building consensus, and promoting social peace and stability. This requires that, when participating in consultations on the formulation of major state policies, economic and social development plans, and other important matters, the CPPCC give full consideration to fairness in policy design and resource allocation, safeguard the rights and interests of the people, and ensure that various policies and reform achievements can benefit the broad masses. At the same time, the CPPCC must also use consultation to play its role in coordinating relations and resolving contradictions. For issues involving social fairness and justice, it must seek the greatest common denominator through consultative dialogue, build consensus, and thereby promote social harmony and stability. In performing the function of democratic supervision, it must focus on supervising the implementation and enforcement of policies and measures that maintain social fairness and justice and enhance people’s well-being, ensure the fairness and transparency of public policies and resource allocation, combat corruption and privilege, divide the “cake” well, and ensure that the fruits of development can truly be shared by all the people. In performing the function of participating in the deliberation and administration of state affairs, it must guide all sectors of society to express their demands in an orderly manner, extensively listen to and gather the interest demands and wisdom of all social strata and groups on important issues related to people’s well-being, put forward constructive opinions, and provide a solid foundation of public opinion for maintaining social fairness and justice.

人民政协作为发扬社会主义民主的重要形式，在化解矛盾、凝聚共识以及促进社会和平稳定上扮演着重要角色。这就要求人民政协在参与关于国家大政方针制定、经济社会发展规划以及其他重要事项的协商时要充分考虑政策设计和资源分配的公平，保障人民权益，使各项政策和改革成果能够惠及广大人民群众。同时，人民政协还要通过协商发挥其协调关系、化解矛盾的作用。对于涉及社会公平正义的问题，要以协商对话的形式寻求最大公约数，凝聚共识，从而促进社会和谐稳定。在履行民主监督职能过程中，要重点监督维护社会公平正义、增进人民福祉的政策措施的执行和落实情况，保障公共政策和资源配置的公平性和透明度，打击腐败行为和特权现象，把“蛋糕”分好，确保发展成果能够真正被全体人民共享。在履行参政议政职能时，要引导社会各界有序表达诉求，在涉及人民福祉的重要议题上广泛听取并汇集社会各个阶层、各个群体的利益诉求和智慧，提出建设性意见，为维护社会公平正义提供有力的民意基础。

(4) Understanding “who evaluates,” implementing the testing standard of the people judging the effectiveness of development

(四)明了“谁评价”,落实发展成效由人民评判的检验标准

The people are not only the value subject, the subject of practice, and the subject of sharing in development, but also the subject of evaluating development. As an institution for multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the CPPCC must take the implementation of the testing standard of the people judging the effectiveness of development as an important guideline for performing its duties. “The era is the examiner, we are the examinees, and the people are the graders.” [4]4 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the First Session of the 13th National People’s Congress” (March 20, 2018), *People’s Daily*, March 21, 2018. Xi Jinping has placed the issue of development evaluation within the framework of historical materialism for consideration, clearly answering the question of who evaluates the effectiveness of development. As the direct beneficiaries of development, the people have the clearest and most genuine feelings about its effectiveness and should naturally be the subjects who test and judge it. The people-centered development thought takes the masses as the subject of evaluating development effectiveness, takes the degree of realization of the people’s interests as the highest standard for testing development effectiveness, takes the people’s evaluation as the main basis for measuring development effectiveness, and takes the people’s sense of gain as the fundamental yardstick for evaluating development effectiveness.

人民不仅是发展的价值主体、实践主体和共享主体，还是发展的评价主体。人民政协作为中国共产党领导的多党合作和政治协商机构，要将落实发展成效由人民评判的检验标准作为履职工作的重要遵循。“时代是出卷人，我们是答卷人，人民是阅卷人”。习近平把发展评价问题置于历史唯物主义中进行思考，明确回答了发展成效由谁来评价的问题。人民作为发展的直接受益者，对发展成效有着最为清晰和真切的感受，理应是检验和评判发展成效的主体。以人民为中心的发展思想就是把人民群众作为发展成效的评价主体，把人民利益的实现程度作为检验发展成效的最高标准，把人民的评价作为衡量发展成效的主要依据，把人民的获得感作为评价发展成效的根本尺度。

The CPPCC comes from the people, is rooted in the people, and serves the people. It is the spokesperson reflecting the people’s interest demands, an important channel for feeding back the people’s evaluation of development effectiveness, and the supervisory party for enhancing the people’s sense of gain. This requires that, in performing its duties, the CPPCC improve the quality and effectiveness of political consultation, adhere to the people-centered development thought, ensure that consultation topics closely align with the needs and expectations of the masses, fully reflect public opinion and pool collective wisdom, so that political consultation truly serves the fundamental interests of the masses; strengthen democratic supervision around hot and difficult issues of general concern to the masses, ensure that national policies and decisions are implemented effectively, effectively improve people’s well-being, and enhance the people’s sense of gain; conduct in-depth research, and use proposals and other means to promptly and accurately feed back the people’s evaluations, needs, and expectations to the Party and government, ensuring that the people’s evaluations can reach the decision-making level directly, so as to adjust and improve relevant policies, ensure that the effectiveness of economic and social development withstands the test of practice, the people, and history, and ensure that the right to judge development effectiveness is truly in the hands of the people.

人民政协来自人民、植根人民、服务人民，是反映人民利益诉求的代言人，是反馈人民对发展成效的评价的重要渠道，是增强人民群众获得感的监督方。这就要求人民政协在履职过程中要提高政治协商的质量与实效，坚持以人民为中心的发展思想，确保协商议题紧贴人民群众的需求和期盼，充分反映民意、集中民智，使政治协商真正服务于人民群众的根本利益；要围绕人民群众普遍关心的热点难点问题，强化民主监督，确保国家政策和决策部署落地见效，切实增进民生福祉，提高人民群众的获得感；要深入开展调研，以提案等多种方式将人民的评价、人民的需求和人民的期盼及时、准确地反馈给党和政府，确保人民的评价能够直达决策层，以调整和完善相关政策，确保经济社会发展的成效经得起实践、人民和历史的检验，确保发展成效的评判权真正掌握在人民手中。

3. The Unique Advantages of the CPPCC in Practicing the People-Centered Development Thought

三、人民政协在践行以人民为中心的发展思想中的独特优势

An advantage is a favorable factor and development trend with inherent uniqueness that distinguishes one thing from another. The CPPCC is a product of the CPC’s integration of Marxist-Leninist united front theory, political party theory, and socialist democratic political theory with China’s specific national conditions. This determines that the CPPCC possesses unique advantages different from other subjects of practice in practicing the people-centered development thought.

优势是一种事物区别于另一种事物的具有内在独特性的有利因素和发展趋势。人民政协是中国共产党将马克思列宁主义统一战线理论、政党理论以及社会主义民主政治理论等与中国具体国情相结合的产物，这一点决定了人民政协在践行以人民为中心的发展思想中具有不同于其他实践主体的独特优势。

(1) Political advantage: Adhering to the Party’s leadership by practicing the Party’s mass line

(一)政治优势：以践行党的群众路线坚持党的领导

Adhering to the Party’s leadership and adhering to a people-centered approach are highly consistent in the great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics: without the strong leadership of the Party, seeking happiness for the Chinese people and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation would become empty words; deviating from the people-centered fundamental stance, the cause led by the Party would lose its source of strength. In other words, adhering to the people-centered development thought requires the political guarantee of the Party’s leadership; strengthening the Party’s leadership requires firmly holding to the people-centered fundamental stance and following the Party’s mass line, which is its fundamental working line.

坚持党的领导与坚持以人民为中心在中国特色社会主义伟大实践中具有高度一致性：没有党的坚强领导，为中国人民谋幸福、为中华民族谋复兴就将成为一句空话；背离了以人民为中心的根本立场，党领导的事业就会失去力量之源。换言之，坚持以人民为中心的发展思想需要党的领导这一政治保证；加强党的领导需要站稳以人民为中心的根本立场，走好党的群众路线这一根本工作路线。

The communiqué of the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Party pointed out: “Consultative democracy is a distinctive form and unique strength of China’s socialist democratic politics, and an important embodiment of the Party’s mass line in the political sphere.” [1]1 The Chinese term “落脚点” (luòjiǎo diǎn) literally means “foothold” or “point of landing,” but in this political context it is idiomatically rendered as “ultimate goal” or “end point,” consistent with the parallel structure of “starting point and落脚点” (出发点 and 落脚点) commonly used in Chinese political discourse to mean “the beginning and the end” or “the starting point and the ultimate objective.” The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is an important channel and specialized consultative body for consultative democracy. With its pronounced characteristics of strong inclusiveness and broad reach, it has therefore become an important vehicle for implementing the Party’s mass line. On the one hand, the CPPCC’s strong inclusiveness enables it to build consensus and pool public opinion, which helps enhance the democratic and scientific nature of the Party’s decision-making. As society continues to develop, the interest demands of different groups manifest characteristics of diversity and complexity. This requires the Party’s mass line to take into account the interest demands of different groups, smooth the channels for interest groups to express their demands, and pool popular wisdom and public opinion. The CPPCC adheres to the two major themes of unity and democracy, consistently upholds the value concept of harmony without uniformity, and possesses a very pronounced inclusiveness. The CPPCC can not only bring together different interest groups for exchange and consultation, thereby coordinating relations and resolving contradictions, but can also aggregate the individual, scattered demands and voices of different interest groups into systematic, concentrated opinions, and then reflect these opinions to the Party and government, smoothing the channels for various interest groups to express their demands, enabling the Party and government to make decisions that conform to the popular will on the basis of understanding popular sentiment and grasping public opinion. For example, the Guangzhou Municipal CPPCC, in response to the difficulty of renovating old residential communities, repeatedly organized consultation meetings involving CPPCC members, the government, residents’ representatives, and experts. Through consultation and exchange, consensus was reached, the consultation results were compiled into proposals, and the proposals were submitted to the municipal Party committee and municipal government, directly promoting the optimization of Guangzhou’s old residential community renovation policy and solving the urgent needs of residents. Another example: the Chengdu Municipal CPPCC, in response to the problem of disorderly parking of shared bicycles, convened consultation meetings with representatives from all walks of life, proposed comprehensive solutions including the use of electronic fence technology and enhanced user education, and reported the consultation results to the municipal Party committee and municipal government, facilitating the introduction of a refined management policy for shared bicycles and enhancing the satisfaction of the people. On the other hand, the CPPCC has a broad reach and is a naturally important organization for connecting with the people from all aspects, which is conducive to consolidating the Party’s mass base. The CPPCC is composed of 34 sectors, covering representative figures from all walks of life. Members from various sectors, in the process of going deep among and connecting with the masses, propagate the Party’s line, principles, and policies, assist the Party and government in dispelling doubts and clarifying misunderstandings, and smoothing emotions. This is not only conducive to transforming the Party’s propositions into the consensus of all sectors of society, but also conducive to implementing the Party’s decisions and deployments among the groups of various sectors, thereby consolidating the Party’s mass base. For example, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region CPPCC has made forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation the main line of all its work. “The region’s CPPCC organizations at all levels have established over 680 education and training bases for CPPCC members on forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, and CPPCC members have conducted over 1,100 propaganda sessions at the grassroots level and among the masses of their respective sectors.” [2]2 The term “美好生活” (meihao shenghuo), often translated as “a better life” or “a good life,” is a standard phrase in CPC discourse referring to the people’s aspirations for improved living standards, well-being, and quality of life, as articulated in the principal contradiction of the New Era. These propaganda sessions not only deepened the masses’ understanding and identification with the sense of community for the Chinese nation, but also effectively prevented and resolved ethnic contradictions, maintaining social stability.

党的十八届三中全会公报指出：“协商民主是我国社会主义民主政治的特有形式和独特优势，是党的群众路线在政治领域的重要体现。”人民政协是协商民主的重要渠道和专门协商机构，具有包容性强和联系面广的鲜明特点，因此成为贯彻落实党的群众路线的重要载体。一方面，人民政协包容性强，能够凝聚共识、汇集民意，有利于提升党的决策的民主性与科学性。随着社会的不断发展，不同群体之间的利益诉求呈现出多样化和复杂化的特点。这就要求党的群众路线要兼顾不同群体的利益诉求，畅通利益群体的诉求表达渠道，汇集民智民意。人民政协坚持团结和民主两大主题，始终秉持和而不同的价值理念，具有十分鲜明的包容性。人民政协不仅能聚合不同利益群体进行交流和协商，从而协调关系、化解矛盾，而且能把不同利益群体个别的、分散的诉求和呼声汇集成系统的、集中的意见，进而将这些意见反映给党和政府，畅通各利益群体表达诉求的渠道，使党和政府在了解民情、把握民意的基础上做出符合民心的决策。例如，广州市政协针对老旧小区改造难问题多次组织政协委员、政府、居民代表、专家开展协商会议，通过协商交流达成共识，将协商成果整理成提案，并将提案报送给市委市政府，直接促进了广州市老旧小区改造政策的优化，解决了居民的迫切需求。再如，成都市政协针对共享单车乱停乱放问题，集合各界代表召开协商会议，提出包括采用电子围栏技术、增强用户教育等在内的综合性解决方案，并将协商成果上报给市委市政府，促成了共享单车精细化管理政策的出台，提升了人民群众满意度。另一方面，人民政协联系面广，是天然地联系各方面人民群众的重要组织，有利于夯实党的群众基础。人民政协由34个界别组成，涵盖社会各界代表人士，各界别委员在深入群众、联系群众中宣传党的路线方针政策，协助党和政府做好解疑释惑、理顺情绪的工作，不仅有利于把党的主张变为社会各界的共识，而且有利于把党的决策部署落实到各界别群体，从而夯实党的群众基础。例如，广西壮族自治区政协将铸牢中华民族共同体意识作为各项工作的主线，“全区各级政协组织建立铸牢中华民族共同体意识政协委员教育培训基地680多个，广大政协委员深入基层和界别群众开展宣讲1100余场次”。这些宣讲活动不仅深化了群众对中华民族共同体意识的理解和认同，而且有效预防和化解了民族矛盾，维护了社会稳定。

In summary, the CPPCC’s role in enhancing the democratic and scientific nature of the Party’s decision-making, and its role in consolidating the Party’s mass base, embody the Party’s mass line. This is an important manifestation of the CPPCC upholding the Party’s leadership by practicing the Party’s mass line, prominently reflecting the CPPCC’s unique political advantage in practicing the people-centered development thought.

总之，人民政协在提升党的决策的民主性与科学性上的作用，在夯实党的群众基础上的作用，体现了党的群众路线，是人民政协以践行党的群众路线来坚持党的领导的重要体现，突出反映了人民政协在践行以人民为中心的发展思想中的独特政治优势。

(2) Institutional advantage: ensuring the people’s position as masters of the country through multi-party cooperation

(二)制度优势：以多党合作保障人民当家作主

Ensuring the people’s position as masters of the country is the core requirement for practicing the people-centered development thought. As a specialized body for multi-party cooperation and political consultation, the CPPCC carries the advantages of the new type of party system, guaranteeing the people’s principal position in politics through institutionalized practice. Practicing the people-centered development thought requires not only scientific thought and theory but also a systematic political system that ensures the people’s position as masters of the country. In its long historical practice, the Communist Party of China has explored and established a democratic political system suited to itself, including the fundamental political system of the People’s Congress system and basic political systems such as the system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation led by the Communist Party of China.

保障人民当家作主是践行以人民为中心的发展思想的核心要求，人民政协作为多党合作和政治协商的专门机构，承载着新型政党制度的优势，在制度化实践中保证了人民群众在政治上的主体地位。践行以人民为中心的发展思想不仅要有科学的思想理论，还要有保障人民当家作主的系统政治制度。中国共产党在长期的历史实践中探索并建立了包括人民代表大会制度的根本政治制度以及中国共产党领导的多党合作和政治协商制度等基本政治制度在内的一套适合自己的民主政治制度体系。

First, the CPPCC is an important platform for multi-party cooperation, capable of safeguarding the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people by constructing a united and harmonious new type of inter-party relationship. By establishing an institutionalized consultation platform, the CPPCC incorporates various democratic parties and non-party personages into the political process, revealing the essential difference between China’s party system and the competitive party systems of Western countries. It “effectively avoids the drawbacks of a single party lacking supervision or multiple parties taking turns in power and engaging in vicious competition,” [3]3 Xi Jinping, “Speech at a Symposium with Experts and Scholars in the Field of Education, Culture, Health and Sports” (September 22, 2020), *Qiushi* 2020, no. 19. promoting the institutionalization of harmonious inter-party relations. Under this harmonious inter-party relationship, the CPPCC ensures, through institutionalized, standardized, and procedural work, that each democratic party fulfills its duties and responsibilities. Through consultation, consensus is built, promoting scientific and democratic decision-making, thereby “effectively avoiding the drawbacks of old-style party systems representing a minority of people or a minority of interest groups,” [4]4 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the First Session of the 13th National People’s Congress” (March 20, 2018), *People’s Daily*, March 21, 2018. and safeguarding the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people.

首先，人民政协是多党合作的重要平台，能够通过构建团结和谐的新型政党关系维护最广大人民的根本利益。人民政协通过搭建制度化协商平台将各民主党派及无党派人士纳入政治过程，揭示了我国政党制度与西方国家竞争型政党制度的本质区别，“有效避免了一党缺乏监督或者多党轮流坐庄、恶性竞争的弊端”,促进了和谐政党关系的制度化。在这一和谐政党关系下，人民政协以制度化、规范化、程序化的工作保障各民主党派履职尽责，通过协商凝聚共识，推动决策科学化与民主化，从而“有效避免了旧式政党制度代表少数人、少数利益集团的弊端”,维护了最广大人民的根本利益。

Second, the CPPCC is an important organizational vehicle for political consultation, capable of ensuring the people’s broad and effective participation in national political life. As a specialized consultative body, the CPPCC integrates consultative democracy throughout the entire process of performing its duties by carrying out regular, institutionalized political consultation work, making consultative democracy and the electoral democracy of the People’s Congresses mutually complementary and cooperative. This not only safeguards the people’s right to vote but also promotes extensive, equal, and orderly consultation among personages from all sectors of society on major national policies and important affairs, ensuring the people’s right to sustained participation in daily political life. It thereby effectively overcomes the formalistic democratic drawbacks of some Western countries where “the people are only awakened when voting and enter a dormant period after voting,” [5]5 This is a widely cited critique of electoral democracy in some Western countries, often attributed to observers of Western political systems, highlighting the gap between periodic voting rights and continuous political participation. concretely and realistically implementing the people’s position as masters of the country in national political life.

其次，人民政协是政治协商的重要组织载体，能够确保人民广泛、有效地参与国家政治生活。人民政协作为专门协商机构，以开展常态化、制度化的政治协商工作将协商民主贯穿于履职全过程，使协商民主与人民代表大会的选举民主相互补充、相互配合。这不仅能够保障人民在投票时的权利，还能够促进社会各界人士就国家大政方针和重要事务展开广泛、平等、有序协商，保障人民在日常政治生活中享有的持续参与权利，从而有效克服了一些西方国家“人民只有在投票时被唤醒、投票后就进入休眠期”的形式主义民主弊端，真正将人民当家作主具体地、现实地落实到国家政治生活中。

(3) Organizational advantage: uniting the broadest hearts and minds through the united front

(三)组织优势：以统一战线凝聚最广泛的人心

The core driving force for practicing the people-centered development thought is the cohesive power of the people. As an organization of the patriotic united front, the CPPCC possesses the organizational advantages and characteristics of the united front, enabling it to unite hearts and minds and gather strength to the greatest extent. The organizational advantage of the CPPCC is embodied in its unique political organizational functions.

践行以人民为中心的发展思想的核心推动力是人民群众的聚合力。人民政协作为爱国统一战线组织，具有统战的组织优势和特点，能够最大限度地凝聚人心、汇聚力量。人民政协的组织优势体现在其特有的政治组织功能上。

First, the CPPCC has a subject advantage, enabling it to form a situation of great unity and great solidarity. The internal structure of the CPPCC differs from that of Western parliaments. Its sectoral setup covers 9 political parties including the Communist Party of China, 56 ethnic groups, 5 major religions, etc. CPPCC members come from various political parties, groups, and ethnicities, encompassing all social strata and various types of political activity subjects. This unique structure can fully leverage the unique advantage of the united front in mobilizing all positive factors and rallying all positive forces to the greatest extent, providing a venue for various political parties and social strata to express opinions in the name of their organizations, promoting harmony in inter-party relations, ethnic relations, and religious relations, enabling all social strata and groups to closely unite around the Communist Party of China, and creating a situation of great unity and great solidarity.

其一，人民政协具有主体优势，能够形成大团结大联合的局面。人民政协内部结构有别于西方国家的议会，其界别设置涵盖包括中国共产党在内的9个政党、56个民族、5大宗教等;政协委员来自各党派、各团体、各民族等，囊括各阶层和各类政治活动主体。这一独特结构能够充分发挥统一战线最大限度调动一切积极因素、凝聚一切积极力量的独特优势，为各党派、各阶层以组织名义发表意见提供场所，促进政党关系、民族关系、宗教关系和谐，使各社会阶层、群体紧密围绕在中国共产党的周围，营造大团结大联合的局面。

Second, the CPPCC has an advantage in the content of consultation, enabling it to organically combine the promotion of democracy with the strengthening of unity. The composition of the CPPCC’s主体 [n6] determines that the content of its consultation must necessarily possess broad representativeness and great inclusiveness, covering multiple fields such as the economy, politics, culture, society, and ecological civilization, and accommodating the diverse interest demands of different social groups. CPPCC members conduct extensive consultation on the state’s major policies and on significant issues of concern to the people, seeking common ground while reserving differences, using consensus to guide diversity and diversity to promote consensus. This can both fully promote democracy and consolidate a common ideological foundation, thereby ensuring that the forces of all sectors of society share the same ideological source, the same goals, and the same direction of action. Adhering to the people-centered development thought is, in fact, about gathering the broadest popular support, uniting and mobilizing the entire people to participate in various undertakings of national construction, making policy formulation and implementation more in line with public opinion, and making the fruits of development more equitably benefit all the people, thereby maintaining social harmony and stability. The CPPCC, with its organizational advantage as the bearer of the united front, gathers the broadest popular support, unites the forces of all sectors of society to the greatest extent, and effectively practices the people-centered development thought.

其二，人民政协具有协商内容优势，能够实现发扬民主与加强团结的有机结合。人民政协的主体构成决定了人民政协的协商内容必然具有广泛的代表性和巨大的包容性，涵盖经济、政治、文化、社会、生态文明等多个领域，容纳不同社会群体的多样化利益诉求。各政协委员就国家大政方针以及人民群众关心的重大问题进行广泛协商，聚同化异，以一致性引领多样性，以多样性促进一致性，既能充分发扬民主，又能巩固共同的思想基础，进而确保社会各界力量思想同源、目标同举、行动同向。坚持以人民为中心的发展思想，事实上就是通过凝聚最广泛的人心，团结和动员全体人民参与国家建设的各项事业，使政策制定与实施更加符合民意，使发展成果更公平地惠及全体人民，从而维护社会和谐与稳定。人民政协以其承载的统一战线的组织优势，凝聚起最广泛的人心，最大限度地团结了社会各界力量，有效践行了以人民为中心的发展思想。

(4) Platform Advantage: Deepening the Foundation of Public Opinion through Deliberative and Consultative Platforms

(四)平台优势：以协商议事平台厚植民意基础

Deepening the foundation of public opinion is a concrete manifestation and an inevitable requirement of practicing the people-centered development thought. As the specialized consultative body for socialist consultative democracy, the CPPCC can, through its multi-level, wide-coverage deliberative and consultative platforms, continuously consolidate and develop the Party’s mass base and social foundation for governance.

厚植民意基础是践行以人民为中心的发展思想的具体体现和必然要求。人民政协作为社会主义协商民主的专门协商机构，能够以其多层次、广覆盖的协商议事平台不断巩固和发展党执政的群众基础和社会基础。

From a vertical perspective, the CPPCC has established a vertically linked consultative platform system from the central to local levels at all levels. Higher-level CPPCC committees guide and support the work of lower-level committees, while lower-level committees report consultation results level by level and reflect social conditions and public opinion. At the same time, CPPCC committees at all levels actively extend consultative democracy to the grassroots. By setting up CPPCC member liaison points, workstations, studios, and other means, they promote the effective connection between CPPCC consultation and grassroots consultation, enabling CPPCC work to penetrate grassroots units such as streets, communities, and villages, and effectively address hot and difficult issues of concern to the people. For example, Sichuan Province, following the logic of “having a focus for ‘matters’, having a place for ‘coming’, having a subject for ‘consulting’, and having a result for ‘deliberating’,” has created a distinctive brand platform for consultative democracy called “Consulting on Matters at Hand” (有事来协商). It has built a four-level platform network for “Consulting on Matters at Hand” in Neijiang City at the city, county, town (street), and village (community) levels, and has built a three-level consultation platform in Yibin City for “Consulting on Matters at Hand: Deliberating Major Matters Together,” “Consulting on Matters at Hand: Deliberating Specialized Matters Together,” and “Consulting on Matters at Hand: Deliberating Collective Matters Together.” Relying on this series of platforms, in 2023, Sichuan Province “cumulatively carried out over 9,600 various small-scale consultation activities, helping to resolve 21,000 social and livelihood issues… winning recognition from the Party and government, welcome from the masses, and praise from society.”

从纵向来看，人民政协建立了自中央到地方的各级政协垂直联动的协商平台体系，上级政协指导和支持下级政协的工作，下级政协将协商成果逐级上报并反映社情民意。同时，各级政协积极将协商民主向基层延伸，通过设立政协委员联络点、工作站、工作室等方式，推动政协协商与基层协商有效衔接，使得政协工作能够深入街道、社区、乡村等基层单位，切实解决人民群众关心的热点难点问题。例如，四川省以“事”有聚焦、“来”有场所、“协”有主体、“商”有结果的思路打造了“有事来协商”的协商民主特色品牌平台，搭建了内江市“有事来协商”市、县、镇(街道)、村(社区)四级平台网络，搭建了宜宾市“有事来协商·要事会商”“有事来协商·专事专商”“有事来协商·众事众商”三级协商平台。依托这一系列平台，四川省2023年“累计开展各类小微协商活动9600余场次，助解社会民生难题2.1万件……赢得了党政认可、群众欢迎、社会点赞”。

From a horizontal perspective, the CPPCC has established various forms of consultative platforms within its internal structure, including plenary sessions, standing committee meetings, and thematic consultation meetings, ensuring communication and consultation between CPPCC members and democratic parties, people’s organizations, ethnic and religious circles, compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, and others. At the same time, it has established consultative platforms in various fields such as the economy, politics, culture, society, and ecological civilization to reflect broad social conditions and public opinion and to enhance people’s well-being. This crisscrossing, three-dimensional, and diverse network of deliberative and consultative platforms of the CPPCC adapts to the diverse consultation needs of groups at different levels and in different fields, realizing the transformation of deliberative consultation from “coverage in form” to “effective coverage.” It deepens the flesh-and-blood connection between the Party and the people and consolidates the Party’s foundation of public opinion. The process of consolidating the Party’s foundation of public opinion is essentially the process of continuously meeting the people’s growing needs for a better life, and it is the process of practicing the people-centered development thought.

从横向来看，人民政协在其内部设立了包括全体会议、常委会议、专题协商会等多种形式的协商平台，保障政协委员与各民主党派、各团体、民族宗教界、港澳台同胞等沟通与协商，同时在经济、政治、文化、社会、生态文明等各领域建立协商平台，以反映广泛的社情民意，增进民生福祉。人民政协的这种纵横交织、立体多元的协商议事平台网络，适应了不同层次、不同领域群体的多样化协商需求，实现了协商议事从“有形覆盖”到“有效覆盖”的转变，加深了党同人民群众的血肉联系，厚植了党的民意基础，而厚植党的民意基础的过程实质上就是不断满足人民日益增长的美好生活需要的过程，就是践行以人民为中心的发展思想的过程。

IV. The Implementation Mechanism of the CPPCC in Practicing the People-Centered Development Thought

四、人民政协践行以人民为中心的发展思想的实现机制

Adhering to a people-centered approach and insisting that the CPPCC serves the people are the concepts of performing duties that the CPPCC must always follow. Transforming this concept into a scientific and effective institutional arrangement and into a concrete and realistic democratic practice requires the CPPCC to take the people-centered development thought as its value pursuit and practical orientation, to take better meeting the people’s growing needs for a better life and promoting the improvement of people’s well-being as important focal points, to emphasize the unity of theory and practice, form and content, and to find the correct institutional mechanisms, methods, and approaches.

坚持以人民为中心，坚持人民政协为人民，是人民政协必须始终遵循的履职理念。将这一理念转化为科学有效的制度安排，转化为具体现实的民主实践，需要人民政协把以人民为中心的发展思想作为价值追求和实践导向，把更好满足人民日益增长的美好生活需要、促进民生改善作为重要着力点，注重理论与实践、形式与内容的统一，找到正确的体制机制和方式方法。

(1) Improving the Guiding and Guarantee Mechanism to Steady the Political Direction of the CPPCC Serving the People

(一)健全引领保障机制，把准人民政协为人民的政治方向

Improving the CPPCC’s guiding and guarantee mechanism to ensure that the CPPCC always adheres to the people-centered political direction in its operational practice, and to guarantee through effective institutional arrangements that the people fully participate in national political life and social governance, is an indispensable and important part of the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity.

健全人民政协的引领保障机制，确保人民政协在运行实践中始终坚持以人民为中心的政治方向，以有效的制度化安排保证人民充分参与国家政治生活和社会治理，这是国家治理体系和治理能力现代化不可或缺的重要内容。

On the one hand, strengthening Party leadership is the key to improving the guiding and guarantee mechanism. “For the CPPCC to draw the largest concentric circle, it must first firmly fix the center: if the center is firm, the concentric circle can be drawn without bias and become larger and larger. This ‘center’ is the leadership of the Communist Party of China.” [n7] “The leadership of the Communist Party of China is the most essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the greatest advantage of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics.” As a political community led by the Communist Party of China, all work of the CPPCC must adhere to Party leadership. The people-centered development thought is a profound embodiment of the fundamental purpose of the Communist Party of China—serving the people wholeheartedly—in the concept of development. In the process of practicing the people-centered development thought, only by adhering to Party leadership can the CPPCC integrate serving the people throughout the entire process of political consultation, democratic supervision, and participation in the deliberation and administration of state affairs; only then can it focus consultation topics around the Party’s work priorities; thereby ensuring that the CPPCC’s work maintains a high degree of consistency with the Party’s line, principles, and policies, finding the greatest common divisor of the people’s will and demands, and better safeguarding the fundamental interests of the broad masses of the people.

一方面，加强党的领导是健全引领保障机制的关键。“人民政协要画出最大同心圆，先要定牢圆心：圆心牢了，同心圆才能不偏不倚、越画越大。这个‘圆心’,就是中国共产党的领导”。“中国共产党领导是中国特色社会主义最本质的特征，是中国特色社会主义制度的最大优势”。人民政协作为中国共产党领导的政治共同体，其一切工作的开展都必须坚持党的领导。以人民为中心的发展思想是中国共产党全心全意为人民服务的根本宗旨在发展理念上的深刻体现。人民政协在践行以人民为中心的发展思想过程中，只有坚持党的领导，才能将为民服务贯穿于政治协商、民主监督、参政议政全过程，才能围绕党的工作重心聚焦协商议题，从而确保人民政协的工作与党的路线方针政策保持高度一致，找到人民意愿和要求的最大公约数，更好地维护广大人民群众的根本利益。

On the other hand, improving relevant laws and regulations is also an important part of perfecting the guiding and guarantee mechanism. At the top-level design level, the construction of socialist democratic politics, including the CPPCC, should be incorporated into the track of rule of law, realizing the institutionalized, standardized, and law-based operation of the CPPCC, providing strong legal guarantees and support for the CPPCC’s work, and ensuring that the CPPCC performs its duties according to law and safeguards the legitimate rights and interests of the people according to law. In addition, it is necessary to establish and improve working mechanisms and work systems, including perfecting the consultative democracy mechanism, broadening participation channels, and innovating working methods and approaches. Improved technical norms and working mechanisms can better enhance the CPPCC’s work efficiency and service level, expand the scope of citizen participation in decision-making, promote the democratization and scientification of Party and government decision-making, and effectively steady the political direction of the CPPCC serving the people.

另一方面，完善相关法律法规也是健全引领保障机制的重要一环。在顶层设计层面，应把包括人民政协在内的社会主义民主政治建设纳入法治化轨道，实现人民政协的制度化、规范化、法治化运行，为人民政协的工作提供有力的法治保障和支持，确保人民政协依法履行职责，依法维护人民群众的合法权益。此外，还要建立健全工作机制和工作制度，包括完善协商民主机制、拓宽参与渠道、创新工作方式方法等。完善的技术规范和工作机制可以更好地增强人民政协的工作效能和服务水平，扩大公民参与决策范围，促进党和政府决策的民主化和科学化，切实把准人民政协为人民的政治方向。

(2) Improving the Linkage and Participation Mechanism to Smooth the Consultation Channels for the CPPCC Serving the People

(二)完善联动参与机制，畅通人民政协为人民的协商渠道

The docking and coordination of multiple consultation channels is an inevitable requirement for ensuring the people’s participation in political life and implementing the principle that the CPPCC serves the people. “Socialist consultative democracy should be substantive, not a mere formality; it should be comprehensive, not limited to a certain aspect; it should be implemented nationwide from top to bottom, not confined to a certain level.” [n8] As an important channel for consultative democracy and a specialized consultative body, the CPPCC must improve a multi-level, multi-dimensional linkage and participation mechanism that connects vertically and interconnects horizontally. It must not only promote internal communication within the CPPCC system but also promote the organic connection between the CPPCC and other institutional consultation channels, thereby ensuring the orderly political participation of the people.

多种协商渠道的对接协同是保障人民群众参与政治生活、落实人民政协为人民的必然要求。“社会主义协商民主，应该是实实在在的、而不是做样子的，应该是全方位的、而不是局限在某个方面的，应该是全国上上下下都要做的、而不是局限在某一级的”。人民政协作为协商民主的重要渠道和专门协商机构，要完善纵向贯通、横向互联的多层次、多维度联动参与机制，不仅要推进人民政协系统内部沟通，而且要推进人民政协与其他机构协商渠道的有机衔接，从而确保人民群众的有序政治参与。

On the one hand, the vertical linkage mechanism of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) must be improved. Perfecting this mechanism primarily involves, within the CPPCC system itself, achieving vertical linkage between CPPCC bodies through institutional design and practical operation. Higher-level CPPCC bodies guide lower-level ones, and the consultative outcomes and proposals formed by lower-level CPPCC bodies can be reported upward through the linkage mechanism, so as to be incorporated into the decision-making procedures of higher-level CPPCC bodies and even higher levels. This is a model of vertical collaborative linkage. By leveraging the combined force of vertical collaboration involving two or more levels of CPPCC participation, this linkage model not only helps compensate for the shortcomings of a given level’s CPPCC body in performing its duties, but also helps remedy the imbalance and incoordination in the performance of duties by grassroots CPPCC bodies. In the process of perfecting this mechanism, special attention must be paid to and alignment achieved with grassroots consultative mechanisms, because grassroots consultation has the particularity of direct dialogue with the masses, possesses irreplaceable advantages in expanding the political participation of grassroots masses, extending the reach of consultation, and understanding public sentiment and opinion, and is the key to opening up the “last kilometer” of consultative democracy.[n]

一方面，要完善人民政协的上下联动机制。完善这一机制主要是在人民政协系统内部，通过制度设计和实践操作，实现政协之间的上下联动。上级政协指导下级政协，下级政协形成的协商成果和建议可以通过联动机制实现上报，以被纳入上级政协乃至更高层次的决策程序。这是一种纵向的协作联动模式。这种联动模式通过发挥两级以上政协参与的纵向协作联动合力，不仅有利于弥补本级政协在履职中的短板，而且有利于补齐基层政协履职不协调不平衡的短板。在完善这一机制的过程中，要重点关注和对接基层的协商机制，因为基层协商具有与群众直接对话的特殊性，在扩大基层群众政治参与、延伸协商触角、了解民情民意上具有不可替代的优势，是打通协商民主“最后一公里”的关键。

On the other hand, the internal-external linkage mechanism of the CPPCC must be improved. To form a consultative pattern that combines internal and external elements, the CPPCC must not only activate internal vitality but also actively introduce external impetus; it must not only emphasize collaboration and interaction within the CPPCC system but also stress close ties with all sectors of society. The internal linkage mechanism of the CPPCC system refers to cross-regional, cross-departmental, and cross-industry linkages within the CPPCC itself, such as coordinated work among the various political parties, groups, and members within the CPPCC. The external linkage mechanism aims to connect with multiple forces, including government organs, enterprises and public institutions, and the broad masses of the people, and, through methods such as linking topics, joint investigations, linked consultations, and joint use of outcomes, to extensively gather wisdom from all sides and form a combined force for linkage. Thus, by constructing a linked participation mechanism that is vertically interconnected and combines internal and external elements, the CPPCC forms a consultative participation pattern in which different channels are organically connected. This is conducive to expanding the breadth and depth of consultation, reducing the “blind spots” and “dead corners” of consultation, realizing the synergistic effect of composite consultation, and thereby better listening to the people’s voices, gathering the people’s wisdom, and safeguarding the people’s interests.

另一方面，要完善人民政协的内外联动机制。人民政协要形成内外结合的协商格局，不仅要激活内在活力，而且要积极引入外在动力；不仅要注重政协系统内部的协作与互动，而且要强调与社会各界的紧密联系。人民政协系统内部联动机制是人民政协内部的跨区域、跨部门、跨行业联动，如政协内部各党派团体、委员之间的协同工作。外部联动机制旨在对接政府机关、企事业单位以及广大人民群众等多方力量，通过议题联结、调研联合、协商联动、成果联用等方式，广泛汇集各方智慧，形成联动合力。由此，人民政协通过构建上下互通、内外结合的联动参与机制，形成了不同渠道有机衔接的协商参与格局，有利于扩大协商的广度和深度，减少协商的“盲区”和“死角”,实现复合协商的协同效应，从而更好地倾听民声、汇集民智、维护民利。

(III) Optimize the mechanism for connecting with the masses, and consolidate the public-opinion foundation of the CPPCC serving the people

(三)优化群众联系机制，夯实人民政协为人民的民意基础

Close connection with the masses is a basic function of the CPPCC. The CPPCC must optimize the mechanism for connecting with the masses, play its role as a bridge and bond linking the Party and government with the masses, promote decision-making by the Party and government that conforms to the people’s interests, and consolidate the public-opinion foundation of the CPPCC serving the people.

密切联系群众是人民政协的基本职能。人民政协要优化群众联系机制，扮演好党和政府联系群众的桥梁和纽带角色，推动党和政府做出符合人民利益的决策，夯实人民政协为人民的民意基础。

First, optimize the mechanism for members to connect with the masses in their respective sectors.[n] Sectors are the basic units through which the CPPCC connects with the masses. CPPCC members are the spokespersons for the groups in their respective sectors. The connection of CPPCC members with all aspects of the masses in their respective sectors is a feature and strength of the CPPCC. To give full play to this feature and strength, it is necessary, on the basis of the existing mechanism, to clarify the overall thinking and working methods for CPPCC members to connect with the masses in their sectors, and to clarify the organizational support for sectors and the convener of each sector. CPPCC members must be trained through various forms, and detailed member contact plans and assessment and evaluation systems must be formulated, so as to solve the problems of insufficient capability and lax work among some members, thereby enhancing the operability of the mechanism for members to connect with the masses in their sectors and forming a long-term mechanism for CPPCC members to closely connect with and serve the masses.

一是优化委员联系界别群众机制。界别是人民政协联系群众的基本单元，政协委员是其所在界别群体的代言人，政协委员联系所在界别的方方面面的群众是人民政协的特色与优势。发挥好这一特色和优势需要在原有的机制基础上明确政协委员联系界别群众的总体思路和工作方法，明确界别组织依托和界别召集人。要通过多种形式对政协委员进行培训，制定详细的委员联系计划和考核评价体系，解决个别政协委员能力不足、工作松散的问题，从而增强委员联系界别群众机制的可操作性，形成政协委员密切联系群众、服务群众的长效机制。

Second, optimize the mechanism for reflecting social conditions and public opinion. This mechanism can promptly collect, sort, and report upward the views and suggestions of people from all sectors of society on the implementation of the Party’s line, principles, and policies, as well as on hot and difficult social issues. In the daily work of collecting social conditions and public opinion, the CPPCC communicates with all strata and groups through regularly held forums, seminars, and other forms. In addition, it expands new online platforms for connecting with the masses and establishes a working mechanism for connecting with the masses that combines online and offline methods. The CPPCC cooperates with converged media,[n] selects major matters of high public concern and issues closely related to the daily lives of the masses for consultation, increases the enthusiasm of the masses in expressing their demands and wishes, creates a network brand for connecting with the masses with CPPCC characteristics, and deepens and solidifies the CPPCC’s working mechanism for connecting with the masses. From this perspective, by optimizing its mechanism for connecting with the masses, the CPPCC can further enhance the breadth, depth, and intensity of its connection with the masses, strengthen its flesh-and-blood ties with the broad masses of the people, better meet the practical needs of the masses, consolidate the public-opinion foundation of the CPPCC serving the people, and vigorously practice the people-centered development thought.

二是优化社情民意反映机制。这一机制能够及时收集、整理、上报社会各界群众对党的路线方针政策贯彻落实情况以及社会热点难点问题的看法和建议。在日常的社情民意收集工作中，人民政协与各阶层、各团体以定期举办座谈会、研讨会等形式进行交流，除此之外，还拓展网上联系群众的新平台，建立线上与线下相结合的联系群众工作机制。人民政协与融媒体合作，选择公众关注度高的重大事项、与群众日常生活密切相关的问题进行协商，提高群众表达诉求与意愿的积极性，打造具有政协特色的联系群众网络品牌，使人民政协的群众联系工作机制走深、走实。由此而言，通过优化人民政协的群众联系机制，人民政协能够进一步提升联系人民群众的广度、深度和力度，密切与广大人民群众的血肉联系，更好地满足人民群众的现实需求，夯实人民政协为人民的民意基础，有力践行以人民为中心的发展思想。

(IV) Strengthen the democratic supervision mechanism, and ensure the practical effectiveness of the CPPCC serving the people

(四)强化民主监督机制，保证人民政协为人民的实际成效

The democratic supervision mechanism is an important guarantee for strengthening the CPPCC’s role of serving the people. Democratic supervision is an important function of the CPPCC and an important component of the socialist supervision system. The democratic supervision of the CPPCC differs from the rigid supervision of the People’s Congress and from scattered social supervision; it is a type of flexible supervision, or, more precisely, a type of consultative supervision. It is mainly realized through consultation, reasoning, communication, and dialogue, and is conducted in accordance with certain procedures and regulations, aiming to assist the Party and government in identifying problems, improving work, and enhancing practical results. To grasp this positioning of the CPPCC’s consultative supervision and give full play to its characteristics and advantages of supervising for the people and serving the people, it is necessary to strengthen the democratic supervision mechanism and ensure the effectiveness of the CPPCC serving the people through standardized supervision procedures and working mechanisms.

民主监督机制是增强人民政协为人民的重要保障。民主监督是人民政协的重要职能，是社会主义监督体系的重要组成部分。人民政协的民主监督不同于刚性的人大监督，也不同于分散的社会监督，而是一种柔性监督，准确地说，是一种协商式监督，主要以协商说理、沟通对话的方式来实现，按照一定的程序和章程来进行，旨在协助党和政府发现问题、改进工作、增强实效。要把握人民政协的这一协商式监督定位，发挥其监督为民、服务于民的特点和优势，就要强化民主监督机制，以规范的监督程序和工作机制保障人民政协为人民的实效性。

First, strengthen the institutional construction of democratic supervision. The important role of democratic supervision in practicing the people-centered development thought must be fully recognized. Democratic supervision work by the CPPCC must be highly valued and supported, and the democratic supervision of the CPPCC must be incorporated into an institutionalized track. The objects, content, methods, and procedures of supervision must be clarified, and the standards and requirements for supervision must be refined, to ensure that the CPPCC’s democratic supervision work is carried out in an orderly manner in accordance with regulations. At the same time, the experience and regularities gained in the practice of democratic supervision must be elevated to institutions and mechanisms. Institutional arrangements in areas such as organizational leadership, rights and interests protection, information feedback, and communication and coordination must be strengthened, to create a favorable supervision environment for CPPCC members, enabling them to actively offer advice, speak for the people, and speak out with integrity, and to supervise them in truly doing practical things for the people and speaking the truth.

一是加强民主监督的制度建设。要充分认识到民主监督在践行以人民为中心的发展思想中的重要作用，高度重视和支持人民政协的民主监督工作，将人民政协的民主监督纳入制度化轨道，明确监督的对象、内容、方式和程序等，细化监督的标准和要求，保障人民政协的民主监督工作依章有序开展。同时，要将民主监督履职实践中的经验、规律上升为制度、机制，强化组织领导、权益保障、信息反馈、沟通协调等方面的制度设置，为政协委员营造良好的监督环境，使其能够积极建言、为民代言、仗义执言，监督其真切地为人民办实事、说实话。

Second, strengthen the working mechanism of democratic supervision. Practical and effective mechanisms are an important guarantee for promoting democratic supervision work. The CPPCC must improve the communication and coordination mechanism, establish a system of paired contact between CPPCC special committees and Party and government departments, and conduct full consultation with Party committees and governments on practical issues concerning the vital interests of the masses. The supervision and feedback mechanism and the rights and interests protection mechanism must be improved, and a system for tracking and providing feedback on democratic supervision opinions must be established and perfected, ensuring that every matter has a result and every issue receives a response. “Express lanes” and “fast tracks” for CPPCC members to report situations must be established, and members’ right to speak must be respected and protected. The mistaken view among some members that supervision “is said in vain” or “is said but not acted upon” must be corrected, and members must be encouraged to speak the truth and tell the truth, to make full use of democratic supervision, this important channel for safeguarding the people’s interests, and to ensure the practical effectiveness of the CPPCC serving the people.

二是强化民主监督的工作机制。务实管用的机制是推动民主监督工作的重要保障。人民政协要完善沟通协调机制，建立政协专门委员会与党政部门对口联系制度，围绕有关人民群众切身利益的实际问题与党委、政府进行充分协商。要完善督办反馈机制和权益保障机制，建立健全民主监督意见跟踪反馈制度，做到件件有结果、事事有回音。要建立政协委员反映情况的“直通车”和“快捷通道”,尊重和保护委员的话语权，纠正个别委员认为监督“说了白说”“说了不干”的错误看法，鼓励委员讲真话、说实话，充分运用民主监督这个维护人民利益的重要途径，保障人民政协为人民的实际成效。

Source: *Study Forum*, Issue 6, 2024

文章来源：《学习论坛》2024年第6期

Online Editor: Jing Mu

网络编辑：静穆