Secondly, he suggests that fewer leading grass-roots cadres and token figures, but more statesmen and social activists be elected as deputies. The sessions could then last longer and those deputies could devote more time to fulfill their obligations.

Thirdly, he calls for a system of debate. Debates must be held among deputies of different opinions, which are voiced during discussion of proposals.

Fourthly, criticism from deputies has to be encouraged and supported, Cai adds.

And fifthly, the quality of deputies has to be improved. The election system should adopt a competitive mechanism to elect quality people as deputies. They have to bear responsibility rather than simply enjoying the honor; they have to use power properly rather than simply "listening to" leaders' reports or "totally supporting" those proposals which have been passed.

Democracy is nothing without a People's Congress system

The People's Congress system is based on an ideal model of higher democracy; however, there is a significant gap between such a theory and the democratic practice at the primary stage of socialism. Hence, one major problem which has to be solved at present, is, how to make this ideal of democracy come true, Cai notes.

From the Marxist point of view, the NPC, the people's organ of state power, should have advantages over the western parliament.

Firstly, its elections have to be universal, equal, direct, and conducted by secret ballot.

Secondly, it should hold all the power of the state and genuinely act as the people's organ of state power, instead of "an institution with words and no action."

Thirdly, people should have the right to supervise and recall deputies as well as national public officials.

Obviously, the current state of the NPC system does not meet these ideals, according to Cai. Elections are far from direct, or based on the principle of equality.

To achieve socialist democracy, where people are the master of the state, the NPC system must play an important role. People cannot manage national issues directly, but they can elect their deputies to form an organisation that executes state power.

In China, Cai says, democracy can be embodied in many forms. For example, citizens can exercise their free political rights under the Constitution; they have the right to issue petitions, complaints, criticism and suggestions; businesses can implement the self-management system, and so on. However, all this will depend on the NPC system.

(China.org.cn by Zhang Ming'ai and Wang Wei, March 13, 2009)