On Monday, the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee's Political Bureau held a meeting to discuss how to further strengthen multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC.

The move is of "great importance" to developing socialist democracy, maintaining social stability and unity and building a harmonious society, said the meeting.

Chaired by General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Hu Jintao, the meeting discussed a draft of guidelines put forward by the CPC Central Committee.

"Practice has shown the system conforms with the situation in China and possesses great superiority and strong vitality," the meeting said.

They noted that since China's reform and opening to the outside world, important progress has been made in promoting cooperation between the CPC and democratic parties.

The democratic parties and people without party affiliation have been playing a greater role in political and government affairs and democratic supervision, it added.

The meeting stressed that development should be the fundamental task of multi-party cooperation and political consultation.

Cooperation with democratic parties and those without party affiliation should be strengthened and alliances consolidated.

Promotion of socialist political culture must continue to develop in the light of China's unique conditions.

The meeting agreed that achievements elsewhere in the world should be drawn upon, but that China should "never totally imitate other countries' modes of political system."

The guidelines discussed at the meeting have taken into consideration the opinions of democratic parties and representatives without party affiliation. They will be officially issued after further soliciting their views.

(Xinhua News Agency January 25, 2005)