BEIJING -- Democracy is a universal value, yet it takes different forms across civilizations. While Western democracies often equate democracy with elections, China has developed a distinct model -- whole-process people's democracy -- tailored to its national conditions and historical traditions.

　　WHERE IS IT FROM

　　First introduced in 2019, the concept of whole-process people's democracy is deeply rooted in China's rich political philosophy, where governance is centered on the people as the foundation of the state.

　　Whole-process people's democracy is a creation of the Communist Party of China in leading the people to pursue, develop and realize democracy, embodying the Party's innovation in advancing China's democratic theories, systems and practices.

　　It is a logical outcome of history, theory and practice based on the strenuous efforts of the people under the leadership of the Party.

　　WHAT DOES IT MEAN

　　As the name suggests, whole-process people's democracy ensures public participation throughout the entire process of governance, covering all aspects of the democratic process and all sectors of society.

　　Unlike election-centric Western democratic models, China's system weaves together law-based democratic elections, consultations, decision-making, management, and oversight within a structured institutional framework. This approach fosters broad and continuous participation, ensuring that governance decisions reflect the collective will and evolving needs of society.

　　Through these procedures, citizens actively engage in discussions on public affairs, working toward the greatest common ground based on the aspirations and interests of the entire population. Their rights are safeguarded, their voices are heard, and their well-being is prioritized in the decision-making process.