The Star: December 16, 2021

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The Star Thursday December 16 2021 The Whole-Process People’s Democracy in China Having served as the Chinese Consul General in Christchurch for more than four years, I feel it necessary to say a few words about China’s democracy, what we call the “whole-process people’s democracy”. The Whole-Process People’s Democracy in China The Communist Party of China (CPC) has always recognized the importance of democracy. The communique of the sixth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held in Beĳing early in November clearly stated that the CPC “should develop whole-process people’s democracy and ensure it is the people who run the country”. The “whole-process people’s democracy” enables Chinese people to participate in political activities at all levels including elections, consultations, decision-making and oversight. It aims to not only to ensure people’s participation in state affairs but also consolidate political stability and elevate social dynamism. The system of People’s Congresses is an important institution for realizing China’s “whole-process people’s democracy”. All deputies of the People’s Congresses are elected at the national, provincial, municipal, township and county levels. At levels of townships and counties, deputies are elected directly by local people. These deputies, which constitute the overwhelmimg majority (95 percent) of all People’s Congress deputies, elect deputies to people’s congresses at cities and provincial levels, who in turn elect deputies at the national level. A main duty of China’s People’s Congress deputies is to put forward proposals. “Grassroots” level legislators’ proposals often focus on disadvantaged groups in China, such as the elderly, children and migrant workers. Other duties of the deputies include maintaining close contact with and visiting local communities and collecting their opinions online, thereby listening to comments on society management from people of all walks of life. Unlike legislators in the West who make a career in politics, China’s People’s Congress deputies at national and lower levels work part-time, and the majority of them come from all walks of life including “grassroots” levels including farmers, factory workers, etc. At the annual plenary session, People’s Congress deputies submit motions and proposals, review important legal documents and vote on legislation and personnel changes, including electing China’s president and vice president and lower level public office holders every five years. Post-election scrutiny key advantage President Xi Jinping said, “If the people are awakened only for voting but have no say after the election, such a democracy is not a true democracy”. Strong post-election and post-legislative scrutiny efforts optimize the efficiency of legislators in China. This important principle of our socialist electoral system serves as the key advantage where democracy in China transcends the electoral system in certain Western countries. The right to vote and the obligation of being supervised inseparable. Deputies to the people’s congresses are members of the organs of state power elected by the people and are subject to people’s supervision according to relevant laws. They should also regularly listen to the people’s opinions regarding their performance of duties, answer questions from voters in their electoral districts or from the relevant People’s Congress regarding their work, and accept oversight. Voters in the relevant electoral district or the relevant People’s Congress have the power to recall deputies they have elected in accordance with the law. Though different to some extent from that in Western countries, China’s democratic practice has proven to be exemplary and suits its situation well, which testifies to the need for diversity in democracy. Democratic models in NZ and European countries also vary from that of the U.S., which indicates that there is no single universal model for democracy and attempts to impose a single model of democracy on other countries are undemocratic in themselves. Democracy is not a decoration and ornament of cash-rich players As President Xi Jinping pointed out, “Democracy is not a decoration and ornament. It represents the voice of the people, and is used to solve the problems that the people want to solve”. The United States has always prided itself as a beacon of democracy. However, money politics has left large numbers of people excluded from the political process, creating de facto political inequality. In recent years, money from organizations outside the Senate and the House has constituted a growing share of total election spending, diminishing ordinary Americans’ influence on the outcome of elections. The U.S. Supreme Court in 2014 lifted the maximum amount restriction of money an individual can contribute to the campaigns of federal candidates and political parties. Wealthy Americans and corporations can also make political donations through “super Political Action Commitees (PACs)” without any amount limit. Unlimited political donations provide a way to influence politics with money. Parties and politicians who receive donations and win the elections give wealthy donors government jobs in return. According to a report released by the UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights in May 2018, the total wealth of the US cabinet members reached 4.3 billion US dollars. The U.S. government has become the spokesperson of the billionaire club, and the American elections are in fact money games. In addition, spending on election campaigns of presidential candidates of both parties in the United States has skyrocketed from US$700 million in 2004 to a total of US$6.6 billion in 2016. The high election costs have significantly raised the threshold for entry of candidates, and put a huge restriction on the political rights of the middle and low income American people, turning American democracy into one of the rich, by the rich and for the rich. The Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance points out that the U.S. is now a backsliding democracy undergoing a “visible deterioration”, and serious problems with the fundamentals of democracy are surfacing with the trend towards democratic erosion “becoming more acute and worrying”. A recent CNN Poll also disclosed that 93% of all Americans feel democracy in the US is either under attack (56%) or being tested but not under attack (37%). Democracy should be judged by whether the people are satisfied with it. The original meaning of democracy is decision-making by the people for the benefit of the people. I don’t think a so-called democracy can be called effective if it fails to benefit and satisfy the people. China’s democratic form and outcomes are satisfactory to the people. According to an annual Chinese citizen satisfaction of government performance survey conducted by Harvard Kennedy School, since 2007 the satisfaction and approval rate of the central government among the general public in China has consistently been more than 90%, much higher than that in the United States. I think this figure speaks for itself. True democracy satisfies its own people. Recently, the US intends to host a Summit for Democracy. This is nothing but a product of Cold-War mentality leading to a divided world. China firmly opposes such act of categorizing countries by ideological pursuit, which intensifies confrontation and interferes in other countries’ internal affairs under the pretext of democracy. Human being is facing a shared future. We need a united rather than a divided world, especially at this difficult pandemic time. China will continue to develop relations with other countries on the basis of mutual respect and win-win cooperation, and strive for harmonious coexistence between countries at different development stages and with different social systems and ideologies. Wang Zhijian Chinese Consul General in Christchurch This advertisement is paid for by the Chinese Consulate 30 SPORT Elmwood still at top of the table after epic tussle ELMWOOD HEADS into the Christmas break at top of the premier men’s tennis interclub competition after an epic tussle against last year’s winner Cashmere in the final round. Both teams brought out their big “guns” last weekend – James Meredith at one for Cashmere and Hayden Joblin, who drove from his Queenstown base, at two for Elmwood. Elmwood won the tie 4-2 on Cashmere’s home courts, but the result could have gone either way with two of the matches decided by super-tiebreak. Both went Elmwood’s way. The win capped off a stellar week for Elmwood with their top women’s player Abby Mason winning the player of the year award at the Tennis Canterbury annual awards. Her father, Rhett, was awarded the Ian Jones service to tennis award. Abby Mason will shortly head off to the United States on a tennis scholarship. Burnside Park was also well represented by their tennis family, the Feneons, with the Burnside Park men headed by club coach Remi Feneon beating the young Burwood Park lineup 4-2. His wife Joelene and daughter Jade spearheaded a 6-0 win for Burnside Park Bishopdale against a depleted Elmwood. In the men’s competition, it is a tight battle between the four teams at the top. Burnside now lie just one point behind second place Cashmere, while Burwood Park trail further point behind. Bishopdale Te Kura NEW Zealand Football’s golden boot for the inaugural National League: South Central Series wasn’t exactly fitting for Annalie Longo, as the Canterbury United Pride linchpin’s goal-scoring exploits could not be rewarded with the title. Needing to beat Southern United to have a chance of securing domestic silverware, the fourteam competition’s form outfit won 5-3 in Dunedin BIG GUNS: No 1 James Meredith couldn’t steer Cashmere to a win against Elmwood. (Below) – Abby Mason is US-bound on a scholarship. Hagley Park won their second match of the season, beating Country Mid Canterbury to lie fourth. The women’s competition is a three-way race between Burnside Park Bishopdale, Cashmere and Te Kura Hagley. Last weekend was a round of six love wins for all these teams. Burnside Park Bishopdale made it 6-0, only dropping one set against Elmwood. Cashmere took the opportunity to give some of their young div 1 players a run in their 6-0 trouncing of Kaiapoi, while Te Kura Hagley Park prevailed 6-0 over the winless Waimairi. on Saturday to finish three points ahead of Capital Football Federation. The third instalment of Chelsea Whittaker’s hattrick made the game safe at 5-2 before Football Ferns midfielder Longo trimmed the deficit on the hour mark. Her seventh goal of Pride’s six-game campaign earned her the golden boot, some solace as Canterbury side’s endured an unsuccessful campaign. The Pride had to settle The competition resumes on February 12. Points: Men Elmwood 78 Cashmere 69 Burnside Park 68 Burwood Park 64 Bishopdale Te Kura Hagley Park 38 Country Mid Canterbury 34 Waimairi 18 Women Burnside Park Bishopdale 98 Cashmere 90 Te Kura Hagley 86 Elmwood 49 Waimairi 22 Kaiapoi 10 Tennis Canterbury Annual Awards Tennis Canterbury Player of the Year – Abby Mason, Elmwood. Ian Jones Memorial Award for Service to Tennis – Rhett Mason, Elmwood. Personality of the Year – Dave Meredith, Cashmere. Junior Female Player of the Year – Ruby Young, Cashmere. Junior Male Player of the Year – Riley Breen, Mid-Canterbury. High Performance Coach of the Year – Jack Tiller, Mid-Canterbury. Volunteer of the Year – Shane Steele, Opawa. Administrator of the Year – Jo Watts, Redcliffs. Golden boot but no title for Pride for third after the Wellington representative thrashed Central Football Federation 5-0. In the men’s series Cashmere Technical and Selwyn United failed to advance to the final, won 7-2 by Miramar Rangers over local rivals Wellington Olympic. A NZ Football report said Bierema won the league MVP award for an “outstanding campaign between the sticks.’’
Thursday December 16 2021 The Star 31 SPORTS NEWS Brought to you by Curtains Blinds Shutters 99 Sawyers Arms Rd 03 365 4666 or 0800 836 587 www.venluree.co.nz Following in Ivan Mauger’s wheel tracks • By Chris Barclay TALENTED speedway rider George Congreve is set to continue Canterbury’s proud association with the Newcastle Diamonds club in the United Kingdom, a link started by the legendary Ivan Mauger. Pending the completion of visa formalities, Congreve heads to England in early February after a Kiwi rival – and good mate – Bradley Wilson-Dean was pivotal in securing a deal for the 21-year-old. “Brad’s been racing over there since 2015, he’s been doing everything he can to help me get a team spot. He put the word out and it’s all worked out, I’m pretty rapt,” Congreve said. English-born grandparents on mother Fiona’s side was also crucial. “I’m pretty lucky really, I wouldn’t have got the team spot because Newcastle don’t have an international licence so you’ve got to be a British rider.” Congreve starts off as the No 7-ranked rider with the Diamonds while Wilson-Dean spearheads the team when the domestic season begins in April. A three-time New Zealand under-21 speedway champion, Congreve aims to emulate Wilson-Dean, who has also raced in FAST TRACKED: Canterbury speedway rider George Congreve is poised to make a significant career move to the Newcastle Diamonds club in the United Kingdom, a former team of the iconic Ivan Mauger (right). Poland, Denmark and Sweden. “That’s the game plan. Go there, give it everything, try and get some good results and see where that leads,” said Congreve who was aware of New Zealand’s legacy with the Tyneside club. “Ivan’s ridden there, there’s plenty of history. It’ll be cool to try and get some some points for them.” Mauger, a six-time world speedway champion who died in 2018, raced in Newcastle’s traditional black and white livery from 1963 to 1968. Cantabrian Mark Thorpe was the latest Kiwi to race for Newcastle, from 1989 to 1994. “Bringing in Bradley and George seems a very natural step,” said Diamonds club owner Rob Grant. PHOTO: GETTY “George comes to us with a reputation of being a good hard rider who won’t give an inch in his races.” With domestic competition limited due to Covid-19, Congreve, who switched focus from motocross when he was 12-years-old, has been spending plenty of training days at the Moore Park Speedway in West Melton. “I’m trying to get as many laps in as possible before going away. I’m trying to keep bike fit,” he said. Simon Barnett & James Daniels Afternoons. 12PM – 4PM TUESDAY TO FRIDAY CHRISTCHURCH 100.1FM
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