Lugu Community Showcases Grassroots Democracy

Lying to the south of the west- ern extension of the Chang'an Avenue,the artery of commu- nication that runs through the breadth of central Beijing, Lugu area has come into the national lime- light for pioneering a string of reforms aimed at promoting grassroots democracy in Chinese cities.Since the"Lugu Com- munity"came into being in April 2004,     

Democracy in the Making

The focus of China's grassroots democracy building has shifted from the countryside to urban areas. In recent years, many Chinese cities, including Beijing, have been actively exploring ways to realize democracy at the grassroots level. What is the driving force behind this campaign? What challenges does it face presently? How can it achieve new breakthroughs in the future? With these questions in mind, Beijing Review spoke with Li Fan, Director of the World and China Institute, a non-governmental think tank based in Beijing.     

THIS WEEK

正Ten Years in Review A photo exhibit featuring China's achievements over the past decade opens at the Beijing Exhibition Center on October 26.The exhibition is composed of 10 parts,covering the country's rapid economic growth, the building of its political democracy     

The Solid Power of Soft Law

HUIZHOU City of Guangdong Province has made in-depth explorations into new ways of building democracy at the grassroots level.In2009 the city rolled out a trial system in its rural and urban areas of casting legal professionals in the roles of deputy directors of village(neighborhood)committees.It has been well received.Parties can now resolve any disputes that may arise through consultations with and the mediations of     

Some Thoughts On Democracy

In analyzing the question of democracy, we need to concentrate on its essence. It won't do for us just to look at the form it assumes. The people want democracy because they need to have certain demands met and certain interests realized. They will strive for democracy when they are denied of the right to pursue their demands and interests. It is clear that democracy has always been associated with the people's demands and interests. The essence of democracy     

STRUGGLING FOR AN IDENTITY

After five years of American military occupation,Iraq remains a fragmented nation mired in a political stalemate Five years ago,the United States launched the war on Iraq under the pretext of eliminating the country's weapons of mass destruction,and promoting democracy there and in the Middle East at large.It soon toppled Saddam Hussein's regime.But it has not found the"smoking gun,"nor has it established de-     

Grassroots Consultative Democracy and Governance under the Rule of Law

Consultative democracy in urban and rural communities ensures the participation of ordinary people in democratic governance to guarantee their legitimate rights and interests.The rule of law aims to restrict power and safeguard social harmony,enabling people to live and work happily.The rule of law provides an institutional guarantee of consultative democracy.Village meetings,legal mediations and correctional supervision in the community for of enders exem-     

The Right Fit

Democracy was a hot topic at the recently concluded National People’s Congress and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee sessions.This world has different races and nations as well as diversified forms of democracy.These diversifications do have something in common,such as the pursuit of freedom and providing citizens with the rights to vote and to be voted for.     

Who Is the Dalai Lama?

The U.S.Congress awarded the 14th Dalai Lama the Congressional gold medal on October 17.In response,the Chinese side pointed out that the Dalai Lama,the former chief representative of the feudal serfdom under the theocratic socio-political structure in Tibet,has never been the"representative of democracy"he proclaims he is.A signed article by Hua Zi,entitled"Dalai Lama in Glory of Religion, U.S.in Glory of Democracy"and released by Xinhua News Agency, reveals some deeds and words of the Dalai Lama that have nothing in common with recognized principles of democracy and human rights.     

The Progress and Analysis of Women＇s Human Rights Protection in the Legislation 2007 in China

The year 2007 witnessed ＂the new progress in the construction of democracy and legal system, the reliable development of administration by law, and the strengthened guarantee of people＇s rights and interests as well as the safeguard of social equity and justice＂ in China. In this year, both the National People＇s Congress and its Standing Committee as well as local People＇s Congresses at levels and their standing committees were active in performing their duties, constituting and promulgating a series of laws and regulations. These laws and regulations have directly or indirectly concerned the fights and interests of women. This article is going to briefly sum up and analyze the provisions in the pertinent legislation in China in 2007 that directly involve the fights and interests of women,     

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

In his recent article on China's historical tasks at the primary stage of socialism and its foreign policy, Premier Wen Jiabao acknowledges that the socialist system in China is still immature and has a large room for improvement. It was the first time a senior Chinese leader had published such a judgment. An editorial of The Economic Observer, a leading Chinese business weekly, hails this as a breakthrough in guiding the country toward greater democracy and modernization.     

Electing to Be Democratic

The full development of socialist democ- racy is a major issue in China’s moderniza- tion, and its continuous improvement is the fundamental task of the ruling party. As the building of political democracy progresses, elections do not equate to democracy…     

Winds of Democracy Sweep the Country

NOWADAYS in China anyone–man or woman,urban or rural resident–can make their voice heard.They can vote for the representative they trust,assert their legitimate rights,and exert influence within their community or social group.This situation supersedes the past one where fixed mindset prevailed of unquestioningly obeying leaders and excessive caution in words and actions.Democracy at the grassroots level in China is reflected in a span of processes that include authorization,decision-making,participation,deliberation and supervision.They constitute a complete structure and system whose social function becomes steadily more important.Democracy at the grassroots level is an important part of people’s democracy in China.Its expansion in scope and depth consolidates the foundations of the country’s economic and social development.It also signals proactive reforms to China’s political system.     

Through the Looking Glass

Chinese democracy is making progress along a way unique to itself, despite the fact that political modernization in the country often escapes the vision of many Western observers.This is what David Gosset, Director of Academia Sinica Europaea at Shanghai-based China Europe International Business School, told a forum on China, sponsored and organized by the oundation Marcelino Botin (Spain), late last year. Excerpts follow:     

KEEPING UP WITH THE TIMES

China's ruling party evolves toward greater political democracy By YAO BIN The Communist Party of China (CPC) will further its efforts to enhance intra- Party democracy on the basis of achievements from previous pilot pro- iects,a senior Party official said on the sidelines of the 17th National Congress of the Party between October 15-22. Speaking at a press conference on October 17,Ouyang Song,deputy head of the Organization Department of the CPC     

Building Bridges and Filling Chasms-a Bold Work Discussing Democracy in China

THERE is a war of words between China and Western countries on the definition of democracy and the best form for its presentation and implementation. It is a subject surrounded by controversy. Liu Jianfei,however,has taken on this intractable task in his rigorous new exposition Democracy and China,in which he examines China’s democracy in a global context,paying particular attention to China-U.S. relations.     

Democratization and People''''s Rights

Democratization and People's Rights both are popular issues while they are both theoretical and practical as well. What is democracy?What are rights? What is the relationship between democracy and rights? These questions are not only relevant to the realization of democratization, but also to the fulfillment of rights.1 "Democratization and People's Rights," as one of the main sub-themes under the general theme: People's Actions for Human Security in Asiaand Europe in ASEM V-People's F…     

China＇s Monocameral System Opens Up

DEMOCRACY is a topic often mentioned when certain Western people talk about China. China has chosen to practice a form of democracy that is different from that in Westem countries. As early as in 1987 Deng Xiaoping said, ＂In the West, democracy means separation of the three powers and multi-party elections. We have no objection to their doing so, but in the Chinese mainland we don＇t practice multi-party elections, separate the three powers, or use a bicameral system. We practice the monocameral system - the National People＇s Congress. This bests suits China＇s realities.＂     

On the Value of the Legalization of Political Participation in Protecting Human Rights

It＇s necessary to legalize political participation in contemporary China because of its value in protecting human rights in terms of function and value. That is, the legalization of political participation aims to promote human rights protec- tion. What＇s more, the legalization of political participation in contemporary China and the maturity of the pro- motion of interest coordination and the rule of law, also show the great development of democracy and politi- cal stability in China.     

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER——UNHRC Holds First Session

The second human rights knowledge training class was held May 29-June 3 in Xiamen. More than 60 cadres in charge of international communication from the central government agencies and information offices of various provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities received training at the class sponsored by the Information Office of the State Council. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony were Wang Jinjun from the