democratic parties play an important role not only in uniting and mobilising all positive forces but also in mutual supervision . The Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party has put forward the policy that the Chinese Communist Party should coexist with democratic parties over a long period of time , and that there should be mutual supervision and first of all supervision over the Chinese Communist Party .
This is a momentous policy . Its enunciation is equivalent to reiterating that democratic cooperation with the people outside the Communist Party is an “ immutable ” and “ eternal ” Party principle . Some say : “ In the Communist Party there are those who do not take democratic parties seriously , while in the democratic parties themselves there are also those who do not take democratic parties seriously .” This is not , I believe , merely a matter of the viewpoint of certain people but is a reflection of a social phenomenon . We should publicise the policy of long-term coexistence and mutual supervision . This will help people clear up their doubts about the democratic parties ’ political role and place in history and , at the same time , inspire members of democratic parties to still more activities beneficial to the people . When , on the one hand , people ’ s views and estimates are clarified and , on the other , more beneficial things have been done , there will be further changes in people ’ s impressions , and in all quarters the views of democratic parties will be still more highly valued and their work and activities will receive still greater support .
In the past few years , the various democratic parties and groups have achieved great progress and success . Following the coming of the high tide of socialist revolution , they have , one after another , convened congresses or central committee conferences to discuss and decide July - 2021 on their respective principles for organisation and work . The Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party supports their principles . The organisations and members of the Chinese Communist Party concerned will continue to render their friendly support and assistance to the work of the various democratic parties and groups .
Here I would like to speak only on the various shortcomings and faults of certain Communist Party members . For instance in working relations they are not respecting the position and authority of non- Communist Party people ( including the capitalists and their representatives ) and not supporting non-Party : people in the carrying out of their functions and powers ; brushing others aside and making arbitrary decisions , reluctance to consult non-Party people in doing things , intolerance of different opinions and opposing opinions , forcing their will on other people , to say nothing of not learning from the strong points of other people .
Comrades with such shortcomings and faults are still suffering from the style of work of sectarianism and a narrow closeddoor outlook . They still do not understand what Chairman Mao Tse-tung pointed out to us , that “ affairs of the state are the public concern of the whole people , not the private business of a Party or a group . Hence Communists are in duty bound to cooperate in a democratic spirit with non-Party people and have no right to exclude them or to monopolise everything .” “ Communists should cooperate in a democratic spirit with non-Party people and must not act in disregard of other people ’ s opinions and monopolise everything .” “ Communists must listen open-mindedly to the opinions of people outside the Party and must give them an opportunity to have their say . If what they say is right we ought to welcome it and learn from it and , even if it is wrong , we should let them say their say and then patiently explain the matter to them . A Communist should never regard himself as infallible and arrogantly bully others , or think that he is good in everything and others good for nothing ; he must never shut himself up in a tiny compartment and brag and boast as if he lorded it over all .”
Some comrades do not have enough respect for the rights of democratic parties and some of the people ’ s organisations . They still fail to understand that all democratic parties and people ’ s organisations are equal before the law . In political affairs , there is a tradition of mutual consultation , help and supervision between our different democratic parties and people ’ s organisations . We should keep carrying forward this tradition . In order to do so , we must have strict respect for the political freedom and independence of organisation enjoyed by the democratic parties and people ’ s organisations within the framework of the rights and obligations laid down by the Constitution . No Party or organisation has the right to interfere in this freedom and independence enjoyed by other parties or organisations .
Some comrades welcome progressive people but they do not quite welcome those who are not so progressive or who are backward ; they even keep such people at a distance though they may respect them . They still do not understand our Party ’ s policy is that Party members must ardently carry out democratic cooperation with all non- Communist Party people , excepting of course counter-revolutionaries and other bad elements . In our united front work with the upper and middle strata , members of the Communist Party have even more reason together with the progressives to do more work among those who are still not so progressive and those who are backward .
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