China's socialist democracy is the broadest, most genuine, and most effective democracy to safeguard the fundamental interests of the people, Xi Jinping said on October 18 at the opening session of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

The very purpose of developing socialist democracy is to give full expression to the will of the people, protect their rights and interests, spark their creativity, and provide systemic and institutional guarantees to ensure the people run the country, he said.

"We should not just mechanically copy the political systems of other countries," he said.

The CPC stresses the unity of Party leadership, the people running the country, and law-based governance.

Party leadership is the fundamental guarantee for ensuring that the people run the country and governance in China is law-based; that the people run the country is an essential feature of socialist democracy; and law-based governance is the basic way for the Party to lead the people in governing the country, Xi said.

The system of people's congresses must be upheld and improved to ensure the people's exercise of state power, he said.

The CPC gives play to the important role of socialist consultative democracy, holding that "The essence of the people's democracy is that the people get to discuss their own affairs."

A coordinated approach will be adopted to promote consultations carried out by political parties, people's congresses, Government departments, Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) committees, people's organizations, communities, and social organizations.

A central leading group for advancing law-based governance in all areas will be set up to exercise unified leadership over the initiative to build rule of law in China.

The CPC will strengthen oversight to ensure compliance with the Constitution, advance constitutionality review, and safeguard the authority of the Constitution, Xi said.

He also stressed reform of Party and Government institutions as well as the development of the patriotic united front.

The political system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is a great creation of the CPC and the Chinese people, Xi said. "We have every confidence that we can give full play to the strengths and distinctive features of China's socialist democracy, and make China's contribution to the political advancement of mankind."

(Xinhua News Agency October 18, 2017)