爱国统一战线 Patriotic United Front

A political union of all socialist laborers, patriots supporting socialism and patriots supporting the unification of China.

First raised as the “ethnic united front” in 1935 by the Communist Party of China (CPC), it was meant to join the powers of all social groups regardless of their class, wealth and political positions to fight against the Japanese aggressors during the World War II.

Despite changes in the specific concept and target of the union under different historical conditions, this union has remained a key strategy of the CPC to mobilize all social sectors to achieve the contemporary goals it sets for the country.

Part of institutional arrangements for the country to consolidate and develop the people’s dictatorship, this union was embodied in the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, whose members include people from the CPC, the eight non-communist parties and other social groups.

南巡讲话 South Tour Speeches

A series of speeches delivered by the late leader Deng Xiaoping, the chief architect of China’s reform and opening-up, during his inspection tour of southern Wuchang, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Shanghai in early 1992. Targeted at domestic misgivings and confusion among some scholars and even officials about the country’s reform and development, Deng put forward some new viewpoints on a series of crucial issues, such as the core of Marxism, the essence of socialism, market economy, and how to emancipate and develop productivity. The significant speeches outlined an unequivocal path for the country’s further reform.

实事求是 To Seek Truth from Facts

A term stressing that facts or practices are the single standard by which to judge whether a theory is valid. It is one of the core ideas of the Communist Party of China about socialism with Chinese characteristics. Repeatedly stressed by different generations of leaders, this term was formally raised by Deng Xiaoping in the late 1970s. It was to mobilize the country to look for means of development in economic and political terms feasible and suitable for China rather than those based on political ideology. It is still part of the principles for the CPC stipulated in its constitution. It is also a popular term extensively used in different aspects of social life.

与时俱进 Keep Up With the Times

An expression that has become popular in official documents and speeches, accentuating the need on the part of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to keep pace with the rapid changes that have taken place in society.

First appearing in former President Jiang Zemin’s speech commemorating the 80th anniversary of the CPC’s founding on July 1, 2001, the expression was included as part of the theme for the Party’s 16th National Congress in 2002. Under the principle, the Party vowed to adapt its ideology and work in tune with the latest developments in and out of the country to better serve the people.

信访 Letters and Visits

A special term referring to actions of citizens or institutions to give information, make comments or suggestions and lodge complaints to the special administrative department in charge of receiving them through various forms. Letters and visits from the grassroots were lauded by State leaders as having remarkable significance in enhancing ties between the government and the people. Individuals and institutions could write letters or pay visits to the relevant department when they have information about or want to complain about the performance of the administrative organization, enterprise or institutions supplying public services as well as about their staff members. Departments receiving letters and visits are required to process the information and complaints according to a State Council regulation first adopted in 1995 and revised in 2005.

星火计划 Spark Program

A State effort to popularize modern technologies in the rural areas to stimulate rural development and raise the farmers’ income. Started in 1986, the program offers support to technological projects easily applied and developed in rural areas, encourages factories and small businesses to develop these projects with incentives in several aspects, holds training courses in rural businesses and promotes agricultural technology among farmers. By 2006, local governments invested 14.3 billion yuan while the central government contributed 363.1 billion yuan to the program.

以人为本 Put People First

An idea of the Communist Party of China (CPC) stresses that boosting the people’s interests and development are the purpose of the Party as well as the State. Formally raised during the third plenary session of the 16th CPC Central Committee in October 2003, this idea was tagged as the core of the scientific outlook of development by general secretary Hu Jintao in his report on the 17th CPC National Congress in 2007. As a ruling party, the CPC vowed to expand the people’s interests, respect the people’s position in political life, give play to their creativity and let them share the benefits of development.