四、廣泛真實管用的民主
IV. Democracy That Works

完整的制度程序和完整的參與實踐，使全過程人民民主從價值理念成為扎根中國大地的制度形態、治理機制和人民的生活方式。人民當家作主，具體地、現實地體現在黨治國理政的政策措施上，具體地、現實地體現在黨和國家機關各個方面各個層級工作上，具體地、現實地體現在實現人民對美好生活向往的工作上。民主的陽光照耀中華大地，中國人民享有廣泛充分、真實具體、有效管用的民主。
With complete institutions and extensive participation, whole-process people's democracy has evolved from an idea into a system and mechanism of governance that has taken root in the soil of Chinese society and become part of people's lives. In practice, the principle of the people being masters of the country is manifested in the Party's governance policies and measures, in all aspects of the work of Party and state organs at all levels, and in the efforts to meet the people's expectation for a better life. The light of democracy has illuminated China's entire territory, allowing its people to enjoy extensive and tangible democratic rights.

（一）人民享有廣泛權利
1. Extensive Rights of the People

中國憲法規定，國家的一切權力屬于人民；人民依照法律規定，通過各種途徑和形式，管理國家事務，管理經濟和文化事業，管理社會事務。中國的政治權力不是依據地位、財富、關系分配的，而是全體人民平等享有的。國家權力不是為資本服務的，而是為人民服務的。
The Constitution stipulates that all power in the People's Republic of China belongs to the people, and that the people shall, in accordance with the provisions of the law, manage state affairs, economic and cultural undertakings, and social affairs through various channels and in various ways. China's political power is not linked in any way with personal status, wealth, or social relations, but is equally enjoyed by all the people. The state power serves the people, rather than capital.

中國實行公有制為主體、多種所有制經濟共同發展，按勞分配為主體、多種分配方式并存，社會主義市場經濟體制等社會主義基本經濟制度，國民經濟命脈牢牢掌握在人民手中，人民當家作主具有堅實經濟基礎和物質保障。
China practices a socialist market economy in which public ownership plays the leading role alongside other forms of ownership. Distribution according to work is the mainstay, while other forms of distribution coexist alongside it. This ensures that the lifelines of the Chinese economy remain firmly in the hands of the people, providing solid economic and material foundations for the people to run their own country.

在中國，人民依法享有選舉權和被選舉權，享有對國家和社會事務的知情權、參與權、表達權、監督權，享有對任何國家機關和國家工作人員提出批評和建議的權利，享有言論、出版、集會、結社、游行、示威、宗教信仰等自由。人民既廣泛參與國家、社會事務和經濟文化事業的管理，也在日常生活中廣泛充分行使民主權利，每個人都有多重民主角色，都享有相應民主權利。
In China, the people have the right to vote and stand for election. They enjoy the rights to be informed about, to be involved in, to express views on, and to supervise the state and social affairs. They have the right to criticize and make suggestions regarding any state organ or public servant. They enjoy freedom of speech, the press, assembly, association, procession, demonstration, and religious belief. The Chinese people take part in the management of state affairs and social, economic, and cultural affairs in an extensive manner; they also fully exercise their democratic rights in everyday life. Everyone plays multiple roles in advancing democracy, and enjoys corresponding democratic rights in the process.

在中國，人權得到充分尊重和有效保障。人民幸福生活是最大的人權。中國經濟保持長期穩定快速發展，人民生活顯著改善。中國建成世界上規模最大的社會保障體系，基本醫療保險覆蓋超過13億人、基本養老保險覆蓋超過10億人。中國全面建成小康社會，14億多人民徹底擺脫了絕對貧困，正邁向共同富裕。中國人民的獲得感、幸福感、安全感不斷提升，生存權、發展權、健康權得到充分保障，經濟、政治、文化、社會、環境等方面權利不斷發展。
In China, human rights are fully respected and protected. Living a life of contentment is the ultimate human right. China's economy has maintained long-term, stable, and rapid growth, and people's lives have significantly improved. China has established the world's largest social security system. The number of people covered by basic medical insurance has surpassed 1.3 billion, and the number of those covered by basic old-age insurance has now exceeded 1 billion. China has completed the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects. The entire country has shaken off absolute poverty and embarked on the road to common prosperity. The people have gained a stronger sense of fulfillment, happiness and security. Their rights to subsistence, development and health are fully protected, and their economic, political, cultural, social, environmental, and other rights keep expanding.

中國人民享有的權利不斷豐富發展。從新中國成立后在政治、經濟平等基礎上謀求生存發展，到改革開放后既追求物質富裕也追求精神富足，再到新時代打贏脫貧攻堅戰、全面建成小康社會、扎實推進共同富裕、取得抗擊新冠肺炎疫情重大戰略成果，中國人民享有權利的內涵不斷豐富、外延不斷拓展，向著實現人的全面發展不斷邁進。
The Chinese people can see their rights being steadily enriched and improved. After the founding of the PRC in 1949, they began to seek subsistence and development on the basis of political and economic equality; after the launch of reform and opening up in 1978, they began to pursue both material and cultural prosperity; in this new era, China has eliminated absolute poverty, completed the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, made great strides towards common prosperity, and achieved remarkable successes in the fight against Covid-19. Throughout this course, the rights enjoyed by the Chinese people have expanded in scope and depth, and steady progress has been made in achieving the free and well-rounded development of the individual.

（二）人民民主參與不斷擴大
2. Expanding Democratic Participation

人民只有在投票時被喚醒、投票后就進入休眠期，只有競選時聆聽天花亂墜的口號、競選后就毫無發言權，只有拉票時受寵、選舉后就被冷落，這樣的民主不是真正的民主。在中國，民主觀念深入人心，人民的民主參與廣泛持續，民主實踐深深融入人們的日常工作和生產生活，民主蔚然成風，社會充滿活力。
If the people are awakened only to cast a vote but become dormant afterwards, that is no true democracy. If the people are offered great hopes during electoral campaigning but have no say afterwards, that is no true democracy. If the people are offered fulsome promises during electoral canvassing but are left empty-handed afterwards, that is no true democracy. In China, the concept of democracy has taken root in the people's minds, and the practice of democracy has become an integral part of daily life and work, resulting in wide and sustained democratic participation. Democracy has become the norm, injecting great vitality into Chinese society.

人民參與民主的意愿不斷增強，參與的廣度和深度不斷拓展。人民既參與國家和社會事務管理，又參與經濟和文化事業管理；既參與國家發展頂層設計的意見建議征詢，又參與地方公共事務治理；既參與民主選舉、民主協商，又參與民主決策、民主管理、民主監督；既通過人大、政協等渠道表達意愿，又通過社會組織、網絡等平臺表達訴求。從“數豆豆”（注②）到電子投票，從群眾跑腿到“數據跑路”，民主參與的形式不斷創新、渠道不斷拓展。黨和國家要做什么、如何做、做得怎么樣，人民參與貫穿始終。
The Chinese people are showing greater interest in democratic participation, which is expanding in scope and depth. The people participate in the management of state affairs, social affairs, and economic and cultural affairs; they provide opinions and suggestions for the design of national development plans at the highest level, and also contribute to the governance of local public affairs; they take part in democratic elections, consultations, decision-making, management, and oversight; they express their aspirations and demands through channels such as the people's congresses and the CPPCC, and through platforms like social organizations and the internet. Continuous innovations in the forms and channels of democracy have broadened participation: Electronic voting has replaced "bean voting" [Before the founding of the PRC, the CPC carried out extensive democratic elections across the countryside in the base areas of resistance against Japanese aggression and liberated rural areas under its leadership. Back then, the overwhelming majority of peasants were illiterate. The Party therefore introduced a series of innovative methods to enable those who could not read and write to exercise their right to vote in the elections. The most celebrated was called "bean voting", a method using beans as ballots. A voter only needed to cast a bean into the bowl for the candidate of whom he or she was in favor. The candidate who got more beans would win the election. At that time, a folk rhyme was prevalent in those places: "Beans roll, beans vote, beans go into the right bowls."]; people no longer need to deliver their demands to government departments in person, but can turn to online channels. Public participation is seen throughout the process of determining what the Party and the government should do and how, and how to assess its results.

人民利益要求既能暢通表達，也能有效實現。民主，起始于人民意愿充分表達，落實于人民意愿有效實現。人民意愿只能表達、不能實現，不是真正意義的民主。在中國，人民的期盼、希望和訴求，從國家大政方針，到社會治理，再到百姓衣食住行，有地方說、說了有人聽、聽了有反饋。人民的意愿和呼聲，經過民主決策程序成為黨和國家的方針政策，并通過中央、省、市、縣、鄉鎮各個層級的緊密配合、層層落實，通過各個職能部門之間主管、主辦、協管、協辦的分工合作、協調配合，通過決策、執行、檢查、監督、問責等各個環節的相互配合、有機銜接，轉化為實現人民意愿的具體實踐。對于涉及自身利益的實際問題，人們通過信訪平臺、領導信箱、政務熱線、網絡“留言板”等提出意見和訴求，能夠得到及時反饋和回應。
The people's demands can be freely expressed and effectively fulfilled. Democracy starts with the full expression of the people's wishes, but if people can only voice their wishes but have no way to fulfill them, that is no real democracy. China has ensured that its people have channels to express their aspirations, wishes and demands on issues ranging from important national strategies and policies to social governance and basic necessities of life, enabling their voices to be heard and their requests to be answered.

Through the democratic decision-making process, the people's aspirations and voices can become the guiding principles and policies of the Party and the state. These principles and policies embody the people's expectations and are implemented through cooperative and effective efforts by governments at central, provincial, city, county, and township levels, through the division of work and teamwork of departments responsible for leadership, management, coordination and support, and through the collaboration and synergy of such activities as decision-making, implementation, inspection, scrutiny, and accountability. Concerning problems directly impacting their personal interests, people can make suggestions and demands via channels like the online petition, "leaders' mailboxes", government service hotlines, and online message boards, which can enable timely feedback and responses.

（三）國家治理高效
3. Efficient National Governance

民主與國家治理緊密相關。民主的發展與國家治理的現代化相伴相生，相互作用，相互促進。絕無國家治理“失靈”“低效”，國內問題成堆，民主卻是“世界樣板”的荒謬現象。好的民主一定是實現良政善治的，一定是推動國家發展的。
Democracy and national governance operate in parallel. Progress in democracy and modernization of national governance are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. It is hard to see how a country can serve as a good example for the rest of the world if its own model of democracy is unsuccessful or inefficient in national governance. One essential feature of a good model of democracy is that it will promote sound governance and boost national development.

中國民主的高質量，促進了國家治理的高效能，提升了國家治理體系和治理能力現代化水平。中國的民主，充分彰顯了人民的主體地位，極大增強了人民的主人翁意識，人民既是民主的參與者，也是民主的受益者，智慧力量充分激發，既為自己也為國家、民族拼搏奮斗。中國的民主，有效調節國家政治關系，發展充滿活力的政黨關系、民族關系、宗教關系、階層關系、海內外同胞關系，增強民族凝聚力，最大限度避免了牽扯，切實防止了相互掣肘、內耗嚴重的現象，形成了安定團結的政治局面和團結干事的強大合力。中國的民主，把黨的主張、國家意志、人民意愿緊密融合在一起，使得黨、國家和人民成為目標相同、利益一致、相互交融、同心同向的整體，產生極大耦合力，形成集中力量辦大事的制度優勢，有效促進了社會生產力解放和發展，促進了現代化建設各項事業，促進了人民生活質量和水平不斷提高。中國的民主，始終把中國人民利益放在第一位，有效維護了國家獨立自主，有效維護了國家主權、安全、發展利益，有效維護了中國人民和中華民族的福祉。
High-quality democracy in China has improved the system, capacity and efficiency of national governance. Democracy has given prominence to the people's principal status and reinforced their sense of being masters of the country. The people are the builders and beneficiaries of democracy. They fully tap into their own wisdom and strength to create a better life and make the country stronger.

Democracy in China effectively regulates political relations and fosters vibrant relationships among political parties, ethnic groups, religions, social groups, and compatriots at home and abroad. It bolsters national cohesion by minimizing internal friction, maintains political unity and stability, and creates great synergy in developing the country.

Democracy in China gives full expression to the guidelines of the CPC, the will of the state, and the expectations of the people, uniting the Party, the government and the people behind shared goals, interests and aspirations. This generates a huge cohesive force that translates into one of China's great institutional strengths – the ability to pool resources to accomplish major initiatives. It has helped unleash and develop the productive forces, incentivize all sectors in the drive for modernization, and raise the quality of life.

Democracy in China has always put the people first and improved their wellbeing. It has safeguarded national independence and protected national sovereignty, security and development interests.

新中國成立70多年來，黨團結帶領人民，不斷戰勝前進道路上各種世所罕見的艱難險阻，成功走出中國式現代化道路，取得舉世矚目的發展成就，中國經濟實力、綜合國力、人民生活水平顯著提升。對于中國這樣一個人口多、體量大、人均資源稟賦處于世界較低水平的最大發展中國家，沒有人民的主人翁地位和主人翁精神，沒有億萬人民的團結奮斗，實現這樣的發展是不可能的。中國的民主，真正把發展為了人民、發展依靠人民、發展成果由人民共享落到實處，充分調動起人民的主觀能動性，這是中國之治的“密碼”，是中國民主的力量。
Over the seven decades since the founding of the PRC, the CPC has led the people in overcoming formidable difficulties, opening a distinctive Chinese path to modernization, and achieving remarkable successes. There has been a marked increase in China's economic and composite national strength, and a notable improvement in the people's living standards.

China is the largest developing country. It hosts one fifth of the world population, but its per capita resource endowment is low. Its success today would have been impossible without the people's determination to run their own country and create a better life for themselves. Democracy in China means people-centered development that fully mobilizes the initiative of the people, relies on their strength, and ensures that all share in the benefits. This is the key to sound governance and the fount of democracy in China.

（四）社會和諧穩定
4. Social Stability and Harmony

民主是人類社會進步的產物和標志。發展民主，要推動社會向著自由、平等、公正、文明、團結、和諧的方向前行。好的民主，應凝聚社會共識，而不是造成社會撕裂和沖突；應維護社會公平正義，而不是導致社會階層和利益固化；應保持社會穩定有序，而不是帶來混亂和動蕩；應讓社會充滿向美向善向上的正能量，而不是充斥假惡丑的負能量。
Democracy is both a result and a marker of social progress. Democracy can only thrive in a society based on freedom, equality, justice, civility, unity and harmony. A good model of democracy should build consensus rather than creating social rifts and conflicts, safeguard social equity and justice rather than widening social disparities in favor of vested interests, maintain social order and stability rather than causing chaos and turmoil, and inspire positivity and appreciation of the good and the beautiful rather than instigating negativity and promoting the false and the evil.

中國國情復雜，治理難度世所罕見。中國的人民民主，實現各方面意志和利益的協調統一，實現各方面在共同思想、共同利益、共同目標基礎上的團結一致，人民安居樂業、心情舒暢，社會和諧穩定、生機勃勃。中國用幾十年時間走過了西方發達國家幾百年走過的工業化歷程，在劇烈的社會變革中，沒有發生后發國家在現代化進程中容易出現的社會動蕩，不僅創造了經濟快速發展奇跡，也創造了社會長期穩定奇跡。中國人民經歷了幾千年歷史上個人自由的最大發展，思想可以自由地表達，人員可以自由地流動，億萬人民的創新源泉充分涌流、創造活力競相迸發。今天的中國，人們自由自在地穿梭于城鄉之間、城市之間；每天有1.6萬戶企業誕生；10億網民通過網絡了解天下大事、進行交流、表達觀點……中國社會開放自由，但始終保持了社會團結和諧、穩定有序。人民民主既是中國社會進步的推進器，也是中國社會進步的潤滑劑。
China's complex national conditions pose a set of unique challenges in governing the country. Through people's democracy, China has balanced the demands and interests of all social groups and strengthened national unity based on their shared ideas, interests and goals. The people can live and work in contentment, in a stable, vibrant and harmonious social environment.

In just a few decades, China has gone through a process of industrialization that took the developed countries centuries to complete. Despite undergoing this dramatic transformation, it has avoided the social unrest which has afflicted many late-industrializing economies in the process of modernization. Instead, it has maintained rapid economic growth and lasting social stability.

In China, personal liberty has developed to an extent never before seen in several thousand years of history. Creativity and potential for innovation have been fully unleashed, and people enjoy freedom of speech and mobility.

Every day in China, people travel freely across the country; 16,000 new companies are created; 1 billion people surf the internet, accessing news, communicating with other people, and expressing their views.

While China has become an open and free society, it has maintained order and stability and promoted unity and harmony. People's democracy is the propellant as well as the lubricant for China's social progress.

（五）權力運用得到有效制約和監督
5. Effective Constraint and Supervision of the Exercise of Power

權力是把“雙刃劍”。權力在有效制約和監督下運行才能實現民主、造福人民，權力失去約束、恣意妄為必然破壞民主、危害人民。中國不斷加強對權力運行的制約和監督，始終堅持公權力姓公，始終堅持權為民所用，確保人民賦予的權力始終用來為人民謀幸福。
Power is a double-edged sword. It can only contribute to democracy and benefit the people when it is exercised under effective constraints and supervision. Unchecked, it is always likely to run out of control, sabotage democracy, and harm the people. In China, the exercise of power has been brought under growing control and supervision. Public power, entrusted by the people, is and will always be exercised for the public good.

把權力關進制度的籠子里。加強對權力的制約和監督，制度具有根本性、全局性、穩定性和長期性。持續推進依規治黨，持續推進依法治國、依法執政、依法行政，依法設定權力、規范權力、制約權力、監督權力，讓權力在陽光下運行。健全完善黨內法規制度體系，嚴明紀律規矩，使黨的各級組織和黨員干部都在紀律規矩范圍內活動。普遍實行領導干部任期制，實現了國家機關和領導層的有序更替。加強對領導干部特別是高級領導干部的管理，嚴格規范工作和生活待遇，堅決防止形成特權階層。健全黨和國家監督制度，堅持和完善黨和國家監督體系，完善黨務、政務、司法和各領域辦事公開制度，保證黨和國家領導機關和人員在法定的“權力清單”和“責任清單”范圍內、依照法定程序開展工作，最大限度防止權力出軌、個人尋租。
Restraining power in an institutional cage. Checks on and supervision over power are being strengthened under solid institutions, ensuring measures against corruption are thorough, all-encompassing, consistent and long-lasting. Ongoing efforts have been made to govern the CPC by regulations, and to promote law-based governance, law-based exercise of state power, and law-based government administration. Power is prescribed by law, and regulated, constrained, and supervised by legal means, to ensure it is exercised transparently. The CPC has taken measures to strengthen its regulations, and requires all its members and organizations to act within the scope of Party discipline and rules. Officials' term of office has been introduced for leadership positions, ensuring the orderly transition of leadership personnel in state organs. Management of officials, especially high-ranking officials, has been strengthened, with strict and clearly-defined rules over their incomes and entitlements to prevent the evolution of a privileged elite. The supervisory systems of the Party and the state have been improved; the Party, the government, the judiciary, and all sectors have become more transparent in handling affairs; leading Party and state organs and their personnel work within their statutory limits, with clear powers and responsibilities and following statutory procedures. All this prevents rent-seeking and ensures that the exercise of power does not stray beyond the proper boundaries.

堅決反對和懲治腐敗。腐敗是人民民主的大敵。中國以“得罪千百人、不負十四億”的鮮明態度，堅定不移推進反腐敗斗爭。堅持系統施治、標本兼治，不敢腐、不能腐、不想腐一體推進，懲治震懾、制度約束、提高覺悟一體發力。堅持反腐敗無禁區、全覆蓋、零容忍，堅持重遏制、強高壓、長震懾，堅持受賄行賄一起查，堅持有案必查、有腐必懲，以猛藥去疴、重典治亂的決心，以刮骨療毒、壯士斷腕的勇氣，堅定不移“打虎”“拍蠅”“獵狐”，以雷霆之勢、霹靂手段懲治腐敗，持續形成強大震懾，反腐敗斗爭取得壓倒性勝利并全面鞏固。在解決腐敗這個古今中外治國理政的頑疾方面，中國不僅有鮮明態度，更有實際行動。
Fighting and punishing corruption. Corruption is the arch-enemy of people's democracy. The Chinese government is determined to honor its commitment to 1.4 billion Chinese people by fighting corruption. With systemic efforts to address both the symptoms and root causes, the awareness, ability and resolve to resist corruption form an integral, coordinated whole. While punishments are meted out to deter crime, institutional checks and personal commitment to staying clean also play a role. No refuge has been excluded from the scope, no ground left unturned, and no tolerance shown in the fight against corruption. China will continue to impose tight constraints, maintain a tough stance and long-term deterrence, and punish both those who take bribes and those who offer them. No case of corruption will escape investigation and no corrupt official will go unpunished. Just as a heavy dose of medicine will be taken to treat a serious disease, China will fight with all the means necessary to "hunt down tigers", "swat flies", "chase foxes" and mete out severe punishments to corrupt officials – big or small, in China or seeking refuge overseas. Strong, decisive measures have struck down corruption like thunder, forming a powerful deterrence that has helped to consolidate China's sweeping victory in the fight against corruption. To solve this persistent malaise, a thorn in the flesh of all governments regardless of time or place, China has taken a clear stance and responded with resolute action.

評判一種民主形式好不好，實踐最有說服力，人民最有發言權，歸根結底要看能不能讓人民過上好日子。中國的民主行不行、好不好，歸根結底要看中國人民滿意不滿意、中國人民擁護不擁護。有數據顯示，近年來，中國人民對中國政府的滿意度每年都保持在90%以上，這是中國民主具有強大生命力最真實的反映。中國的民主道路走得通、走得好，中國人民將沿著這條道路堅定走下去。
Whether a model of democracy works should be tested in actual practice and judged by the people. Whether China's model of democracy is successful should be judged by its people. It all boils down to whether the people can enjoy a good life. Surveys have shown that the level of public satisfaction with the government has remained above 90 percent for many years. This provides unequivocal evidence of the efficacy and vitality of democracy in China. The Chinese people will continue firmly on the path they have chosen to achieve greater democracy.