Democratic Parties refer to the eight political parties other than the CPC. They participate in the discussion and management of state affairs.

These parties are those established before the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, which were then dedicated to the realization of a bourgeois republic in China and supported the CPC in the latter’s effort of overthrowing the rule of the Kuomintang. They are independent in organization and enjoy political freedom, organizational independence and legal equality under the Constitution.

1. China Revolutionary Committee of the Kuomintang

Chairwoman of the Central Committee：He Luli (f.)

Officially founded on January 1, 1948, its main constituents at the time were former Kuomintang members for democracy and other patriotic personages. Their political stand was to overthrow the dictatorial rule of the Kuomintang and realize independence, democracy and peace in China.

Its Constitution revised in November 1988 stipulates that its political program at the present stage is to lead all party members, unite patriots living in China and residing abroad in favor of the unification of the motherland to strive for the unification and rejuvenation of China, under the guidance of the basic line for the primary stage of socialism.

Its members come from mainly four areas: those with relations with the Kuomintang, those with relations with people of all walks of life in Taiwan, those dedicated to the unification of the motherland and others. The party mainly draws members from representative people and middle-level and senior intellectuals.

The party has a membership of 60,000 and He Luli is its chairwoman.

2. China Democratic League

Chairman of the Central Committee：Ding Shisun  

First established in November 1939, it took its present name in September 1944. At the time, it was a united political organization consisting of political parties and forces favoring the middle road and democracy.

In 1997 it adopted a constitution which stipulates that its program is to hold high the banner of patriotism and socialism, implement the basic line for the primary stage of socialism, safeguard stability in the society, strengthen services to national unity and strive for the promotion of socialist modernization, establishment and improvement of a market economy, enhancement of political restructuring and socialist spiritual civilization, emancipation and development of productive forces, consolidation and expansion of the united patriotic front and realization of the grand goals of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

China Democratic League is mainly made up by middle-level and senior intellectuals in the fields of culture, education, science and technology. It has a membership of 144,000 and its chairman is Ding Shisun.

3. China Democratic National Construction Association

Chairman of the Central Committee：Cheng Siwei

It was established on December 16, 1945. Its political stand at the time was to guarantee the basic political rights and human rights of citizens, protect and develop national industry and commerce and oppose the dictatorial rule of the Kuomintang.

Its present constitution calls for the implementation of the CPC’s policy of focusing on economic construction, acceptance of the leadership of the CPC, persisting in the tradition of self-education, adhering to the principle of democratic centralism and carrying out the policy of multi-party cooperation and political consultation. Most of its 78,000 members are representative figures in the economic field. Its chairman is Cheng Siwei.

4. China Association for the Promotion of Democracy

Chairman of the Central Committee：Xu Jialu

When it was founded on December 30, 1945, it was made up mostly by people engaged in education and publishing and patriotic figures in industry and commerce in Shanghai who stood for promotion of democracy and reform of the political power. It called on the Kuomintang to return the political power to the people, the establishment of a united and constitutional government.

Its program drawn in 1988 stands for the promotion and improvement of socialist democracy, improvement of a socialist legal system, uplifting of the qualifications of the people, development of productive forces and turning China into a prosperous, culturally developed, democratic, strong and modern socialist country.

The association is mainly made up by representative intellectuals in the fields of education, culture, publishing and science. It has a membership of 73,000 and its chairman is Xu Jialu.

5. Chinese Peasants’and Workers’Democratic Party

Chairman of the Central Committee：Jiang Zhenghua

Founded in August 1930, its main political program was to oppose the dictatorial rule of the Kuomintang and establish the power of the people.

Its present program includes the stand to accept the leadership of the CPC, adhere to multi-party cooperation and political consultation, practice democratic centralism and safeguard the rights and interests of party members and associated intellectuals.

It now has a membership of 73,000 and its chairman is Jiang Zhenghua.

6. China Zhi Gong Party (Public Interest Party)

Chairman of the Central Committee：Luo Haocai

China Zhi Gong Dang was founded in San Francisco, October 1925 by overseas Chinese organizations in North America.

According to its constitution, the party is made up mainly by the middle and upper levels of returned overseas Chinese and their relatives. Its job is to assist the CPC and the Chinese government, consolidate and develop political stability, safeguard the rights and interests of party members and associated returned overseas Chinese and their relatives, reflect their opinions and demands and practice democratic centralism.

It has a membership of nearly 18,000 and its chairman is Luo Haocai.

7. Jiu San (September 3) Society

Chairman of the Central Committee：Han Qide

When it was first established in May 1946, its political stand was to carry on the tradition of democracy and science, oppose the civil war and practice democratic politics.

The present program of Jiusan Society stipulates that organizationally, the party draws members from representative middle and senior level intellectuals in the fields of science, technology, higher education and medicine. It stands for the multi-party cooperation and political consultation, democratic centralism and the safeguard of the rights and interest of its members.

It has a membership of 78,000 and its chairman is Wu Jieping.

8. Taiwan Democratic Self-government League

Chairman of the Central Committee：Zhang Kehui  

It was established on November 12, 1947 in Hong Kong. At the time it was a political organization of Taiwan residents which was founded and existed outside Taiwan Province, sought to become free from the rule of the Kuomintang, implement democracy and regional self-government. In March 1949, the league moved its headquarters from Hong Kong to Beijing.

Its present political program stands for patriotism and socialism, uniting with league members and Taiwan compatriots and striving for the acceleration of reform, opening up and socialist modernization drive, safeguarding stability and unity, improvement of socialist democracy and legal system and the realization of the peaceful unification of the motherland and “one country, two systems”.

Most of the members are representative and upper level Taiwan compatriots living in large and medium-size cities on the mainland. It has a membership of over 1,800 and its chairman is Zhang Kehui.