Chinese democracy proves itself a viable alternative to West

As China embraces the 40th anniversary of its reform and opening-up, the country is also building unprecedented confidence in its own definition and application of democracy, a word introduced to China a century ago.

China's success story is largely attributed to political stability and vitality under Chinese democracy, which has been highlighted during this year's two sessions.

Today's exercise of power by the National People's Congress contrasts sharply with a century ago when the nation began to learn about democracy, but soon found that Western political models did not work here. Decades of turmoil and civil war followed.