September 21 marked the 65th anniversary of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the national political advisory body.

President Xi Jinping speaks at the ceremony of the 65th anniversary of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference on September 21, 2014. [Photo / Xinhua]

While addressing a ceremony in Beijing on Sunday, President Xi Jinping said democracy is defined not only by people's right to vote in an election but also the right to participate in political affairs on a daily basis.

He noted broad consultations with people from all walks of life over public affairs embodies the essence of the people's democracy.

"Common people play the most important role in the socialist consultative democracy. The policymaking and work related to the interests of common people are largely done at the grass-roots level. Therefore, great effort should be made at the grass-roots to enhance consultative democracy and implement the principle of "consult with the people and consult for the people."

President Xi stressed that political consultation should be made part of the policy making process at all levels of governments.

"The Chinese Communist Party organs, at all levels, should attach importance and provide support to the development of the causes of the Chinese people's political consultation, make political consultation a compulsory part of policymaking, and join corresponding governments and political consultative bodies in the making of yearly work plan. Those required consultation processes should be strictly followed."

The president called for institutionalizing the people's political consultation system so as to guarantee broad and effective people's democracy.

The first session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference was held in Beijing in September 1949 with the adoption of a "Common Program" that acted as a temporary constitution and proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China.

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