China Association for Promoting Democracy to elect new leadership

BEIJING, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- The China Association for Promoting Democracy (CAPD), one of China's eight non-communist political parties, will elect a new leadership during its 12th National Congress, which opened here on Friday.

Vice Premier Wang Yang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met congress delegates and delivered a congratulatory message to the association at the opening session on behalf of the CPC Central Committee.

Over the past five years, the CAPD has performed its role in multi-party cooperation, said Wang, praising its contributions to promoting reform and opening and socialist modernization.

The CPC will uphold and improve the system of CPC-led multi-party cooperation and political consultation, he said.

In handling its relationships with other political parties, the CPC will adhere to the principle of long-term coexistence, mutual oversight, treating each other with sincerity and sharing of both good and bad times, according to Wang.

Wang said the CPC will support these parties in performing their duties in line with the requirements of socialism with Chinese characteristics for their participation in governance, and consolidate and develop the broadest possible patriotic united front.

Wang appealed to the CAPD members to learn and implement the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

CAPD chairwoman Yan Junqi delivered a report on the party's work over the past five years.

Yan said the CAPD will study and implement the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress, and carry out its duties as a participant party.

She said the CAPD will contribute more wisdom to completing the building of a moderately prosperous society, the success of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, and the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.

A new party central committee will be elected at the congress.

Founded in 1945, the CAPD membership mainly consists of intellectuals working in the fields of culture, education, publishing and science. Enditem