China fully committed to democracy

Dong Yunhu, vice-minister of the State Council Information Office, delivered a speech at the fourth Bali Democracy Forum on Thursday. Text below:

I am very glad to have this opportunity to attend the fourth Bali Democracy Forum. Today, state leaders and experts from different countries gather together at Bali, the beautiful "Flower Island," to share experiences and exchange views of developing democracy, and explore ways to promote the democratic development of our own countries. It carries great significance in this era, when the world focuses its attention on Asia and is generally optimistic about the prospects for its development. First of all, I would like to express my heart-felt thanks to the Indonesian government for its kind invitation and thoughtful arrangements, and extend my warm congratulations to the success of this forum.

Democracy is a significant achievement during the progress of human society and an important symbol of modern civilization. It is not only the common pursuit of people all over the world, but also the important goal of the revolution, construction, reform and development of China. For more than 100 years in modern times, the Chinese people had indomitably fought against imperialism and feudal autocracy to achieve national liberation and democracy for the people. In 1949, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Chinese people won a great victory in the New Democracy Revolution, founded the People's Republic of China and realized their rights as masters of the country. After the founding of New China, the Chinese government and its people went through all kinds of hardships and setbacks to explore ways to build and develop socialist democracy in such a big oriental country, at the time poor and underdeveloped. Since the reform and opening up, the Chinese government and its people, based on the country's unique situations, have unswervingly advanced reforms in both its economic and political structure. Continuously improving the democratic system and enriching the forms of democracy, we have actively promoted democracy in the country's political and social life. We expanded citizens' orderly political participation and successfully blazed a path of development for socialist political democracy with Chinese characteristics. We have infused vigorous vitality for China's peaceful rise.