《中国的民主》白皮书（双语全文）

五、丰富人类政治文明形态
V. A New Model of Democracy

民主是人类社会历经千百年探索形成的政治形态，在人类发展进程中发挥了重要作用。但是，20世纪以来，在波涛汹涌的民主化大潮中，有的国家停滞不前，有的国家陷入动荡，有的国家分崩离析。当今世界，既面临“民主过剩”“民主超速”，也面临“民主赤字”“民主失色”。民主怎么了？民主还管用吗？回答“民主之问”，廓清“民主迷思”，关乎世界和平发展，关乎人类文明未来。一些国家的民主化出现挫折甚至危机，并非民主本身之错，而是民主实践出现了偏差。
Democracy is a political form that has taken shape over the course of thousands of years. It has played a significant role in human development. Since the onset of the 20th century, democracy has made little progress in some countries, and others have found themselves in a state of turmoil and even have split apart. Today's world is facing challenges of excessive democracy, democracy implemented in great haste, democratic deficit and fading democracy. What has happened to democracy? Does it still work? The answers to these questions will influence world peace and development and the future of all civilizations. There is nothing wrong with democracy per se. Some countries have encountered setbacks and crises in their quest for democracy only because their approach was wrong.

中国的民主经历了选择、探索、实践与发展的艰辛历程。中国基于本国国情发展全过程人民民主，既有着鲜明的中国特色，也体现了全人类对民主的共同追求；既推动了中国的发展与中华民族的复兴，也丰富了人类政治文明形态。
In promoting democracy, China has undergone a difficult process of selection, experimentation, practice and development. China has created and developed whole-process people's democracy in line with its national conditions. This is a form of democracy with distinctive Chinese features which at the same time reflects humanity's universal desire for democracy. It has fueled the development of the country and driven the revitalization of the nation. It has contributed a new model to the international political spectrum.

（一）为人类民主事业发展探索新的路径
1. Exploring New Paths to Democracy

一个国家在现代化进程中，实现民主发展与政治稳定、社会进步的良性互动，极其重要，也极为不易。
It is extremely important, yet also very difficult, for a country on the road to modernization to promote democracy while ensuring political stability and social progress.

中国的现代化，没有走西方老路，而是创造了中国式现代化道路；没有照搬照抄西方民主模式，而是创造了中国式民主。占世界人口近五分之一的14亿多中国人民真正实现当家作主，享有广泛权利和自由，提振了发展中国家发展民主的信心，为人类民主事业发展探索了新的路径。这是中国对人类政治文明的重大贡献，也是人类社会的巨大进步。
China did not follow the established path of Western countries in its modernization drive. Similarly, China did not duplicate Western models of democracy, but created its own. Now, the entire Chinese population, almost one fifth of the world's total, enjoys extensive rights and freedoms. This is most encouraging to developing countries and greatly enhances their confidence in developing their own democracy. China's new approach to democracy represents a significant contribution to international politics and human progress.

人民当家作主，是中国民主的初心。中国在发展民主的进程中，也走过弯路，遇到过挫折，但始终坚守初心，不动摇、不偏移、不走样。今天的中国，人民当家作主的内涵不断丰富、渠道不断拓宽、效能不断提升，中国民主不断向前推进。
The original aspiration of China's democracy was to ensure the people's status as masters of the country. China's path to democracy has been rocky and tortuous. Nevertheless, the nation has remained unshaken in its determination to pursue democracy based on its original aspiration. In today's China, the goal of ensuring the people's status as masters of the country has grown richer in content, wider in channels, and greater in impact, driving democracy in China onward.

树立正确的民主观，并一以贯之地坚持、发展与创新，是发展民主的首要，是实现民主的“总钥匙”和“总开关”。真民主、好民主，要做到人民当家作主，人民不仅有选举、投票的权利，也有广泛参与的权利；不仅能表达自己的意愿，也能有效实现；不仅推动国家发展，也共享发展成果。
An accurate understanding and a determination to forge ahead are preconditions and the key for realizing, developing, and enriching democracy. A sound and genuine democracy must allow the people to become masters of the country. It must allow them to enjoy the right to stand for election, the right to vote, and the right to extensive participation. It must allow them the right to express their expectations and the right to have those expectations fulfilled. It must allow them the right to contribute to national development and the right to share the fruits of development.

（二）走符合国情的民主发展道路
2. Following the Most Suitable Path to Democracy

民主是多样的，实现民主的道路并非只有一条。各国的历史文化不同、现实国情不同，民主的形式选择必然不同。照搬照抄其他国家的民主模式，必然导致水土不服、弊病丛生，甚至陷入政治动荡、社会动乱、人民流离失所。
Democracy is rich in form, and there are many ways to achieve it. Countries with different histories, cultures and national conditions may choose different forms of democracy. Blindly copying other models of democracy is a problematic endeavor – it risks creating cultural conflict, political volatility or even social turmoil and causing great pain to its people.

对中国这样一个大国来说，选择什么样的民主发展道路至关重要。中国注重吸收借鉴人类政治文明一切有益成果，但绝不照抄照搬别国民主模式；欢迎一切有益的建议和善意的批评，但绝不接受“教师爷”般颐指气使的说教。坚持中国的民主按照中国的特点、中国的实际来设计和发展，坚定不移走符合国情的民主发展之路，是中国民主发展的一条基本经验。
It is of vital importance for China to choose a path to democracy suited to a vast country with a large population. China draws on each and every political achievement of other countries, but does not imitate any of their models of democracy. China welcomes all constructive suggestions and well-intentioned criticism, but rejects any form of overbearing lecture. China must devise the most suitable form of democracy in accordance with its characteristics and realities – a basic principle China adheres to for developing democracy.

中国发展民主，始终立足人口多、基础弱、底子薄的基本国情，正确把握民主与发展的关系，始终把发展作为第一要务，以民主促进国家发展、在国家发展基础上推进民主，不离开发展空谈民主；始终传承5000年中华文明，注重从中华优秀传统文化中汲取智慧和养分；始终准确把握中国所处的历史阶段，紧密结合经济社会发展水平推进民主，积极稳妥、稳中求进，不好高骛远，不急于求成，不犯颠覆性错误；始终坚持问题导向，不断发现问题、善于解决问题，每解决一个问题就把民主建设向前推进一步，不断推动民主制度体系更加成熟、更加定型。
As a populous country long plagued by weak economic foundations, China strives to strike a balance between democracy and development. The priority always rests with development, which is facilitated by democracy and in turn boosts the development of democracy. China has never indulged in empty talk on democracy regardless of a country's development stage.

Always drawing wisdom and strength from its 5,000-year-old culture and fine traditions, and based on a correct understanding of its current development stage and its economic and social conditions, China has made active and prudent efforts to advance democracy. To avoid fatal errors, it never seeks unrealistic goals or over-extends itself in pursuit of quick success. Instead, it focuses on identifying and resolving each and every problem, and presses ahead with democracy step by step to make the system more mature and well-defined.

世界上不存在完全相同的政治制度，也不存在适用于一切国家的政治制度模式。各国应根据自身特点选择符合自身现代化发展的民主形态，学习借鉴而不是照抄照搬。适合的就是最好的。只有扎根本国土壤、汲取充沛养分的民主，才能不断发展完善，才最可靠也最管用。外部干涉和所谓的“民主改造”贻害无穷。中国不寻求输出中国的“民主模式”，也绝不接受任何外部势力企图改变中国的制度模式。中国坚定支持各国自主选择本国的民主发展道路，反对外部势力以“民主”为借口干涉他国内政。
There are no identical political systems in the world, neither is there a political model that fits all. Countries can borrow from the successful experience of others and develop forms of democracy suited to their own modernization process, but they should not simply duplicate other systems or models. The model that suits best is always the most appropriate. Only democracy rooted in a country's unique social environment has proven to be reliable and effective, and can thrive and progress. External interference and "democratic transformation" bring nothing but endless trouble. China never seeks to export the Chinese model of democracy, nor does it allow any external force to change the Chinese model under any circumstances. It firmly supports the independent choice by every country of its own path to democracy, and opposes any interference in others' internal affairs on the pretext of "bringing democracy".

（三）推动国际关系民主化
3. Promoting Democracy in International Relations

民主在一国内体现为人民当家作主，在国家间则体现为国际关系民主化。一个国家的尊严应该得到尊重，主权、安全和发展利益不应受到侵犯。以自己的尺度评判他国，甚至通过颜色革命、使用武力迫使他国照搬自己的政治制度、民主模式，这是反民主的。
Democracy manifests itself in two dimensions: On a national level, it refers to the people's status as masters of their own country; on an international level, it refers to the democratic relations between nations.

A country's dignity should be respected, and its sovereignty, security and development interests are inviolable. To judge other countries by one's own yardstick, or force them to duplicate one's own political system or democratic model through color revolution or the threat of force are undemocratic in themselves.

中国是民主的忠实追求者、积极推动者和模范实践者，不但在本国积极发展人民民主，而且在国际上大力推动国际关系民主化。面对世界百年未有之大变局，中国高举和平、发展、合作、共赢的旗帜，提出构建人类命运共同体理念，推动建设相互尊重、公平正义、合作共赢的新型国际关系。面对全球范围内经济、科技等领域竞争，中国不是把对方视为对手，而是视为伙伴；不是搞冷战和对抗、控制和操纵，而是促进交流合作、实现互利共赢。中国积极发展全球伙伴关系，构建总体稳定、均衡发展的大国关系框架，按照亲诚惠容理念和与邻为善、以邻为伴周边外交方针深化同周边国家关系，秉持正确义利观和真实亲诚理念加强同发展中国家团结合作。中国推动共建“一带一路”走深走实，与其他国家加强交流合作、共享发展机遇，“一带一路”成为广受欢迎的国际公共产品。
China is a faithful and exemplary actor in pursuing, exploring and practicing democracy. It endeavors to increase democracy both within its own territory and between nations. At a time of momentous change of a scale unseen in a century, China champions peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit. China proposes to build a global community of shared future, and presses for a new model of international relations based on mutual respect, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation. At a time of intense global competition in the economic, scientific, technological and other fields, China regards other countries as partners rather than rivals – it does not engage in cold war, confrontation, control or manipulation, but rather promotes mutually beneficial exchanges and cooperation.

China has actively developed global partnerships. It works to establish a framework of major-country relations that is generally stable and balanced. In developing relations with neighboring countries, it applies the principles of amity, sincerity, inclusiveness, mutual benefit, and the policy of promoting friendly and neighborly ties. In strengthening cooperation with other developing countries, China pursues the greater good and shared interests, and applies the principles of sincerity, affinity, good faith and real results. China has strengthened exchanges and cooperation with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative and shared the gains with them, expanding the initiative into more regions and turning it into a well-received global public good.

当今世界，民主平等、公平正义远未实现。少数国家漠视国际公理、践踏国际准则、违背国际民意，公然侵犯他国主权，干涉他国内政，动辄以大欺小、恃强凌弱，把“地球村”变成弱肉强食的原始丛林。面对充满挑战的世界，各国应大力弘扬民主精神，不论大小、强弱、贫富，在国际关系中一律平等。大国要有大国的样子，要以人类前途命运为要，对世界和平与发展担负更大责任，而不是依仗实力搞唯我独尊、霸凌霸道。世界的命运应由各国人民共同掌握，国际规则应由各国共同制定，全球事务应由各国共同治理，发展成果应由各国共同分享。
The present world is far from fair and just, equal and democratic. A small number of countries ignore international law, flout international justice, disdain international public opinion, flagrantly infringe upon the sovereignty of other countries, and interfere with others' internal affairs. They frequently abuse and dictate to smaller and weaker countries, turning the "global village" into a primeval jungle where the strong prey on the weak. In a world confronted by challenges, all countries, large or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, are equals, and should uphold the principle of democracy in international relations. Powerful countries should behave as befits their status, make the future of humanity their priority, and shoulder greater responsibility for world peace and development, rather than wielding their power in pursuit of supremacy or hegemony. The future of the world should rest in the hands of all peoples of the world. International rules should be made by all countries, global affairs should be governed by all parties, and the fruits of development should be shared by all.

（四）加强文明交流互鉴
4. Increasing Exchanges and Mutual Learning Between Civilizations

实现民主有多种方式，不可能千篇一律。人类民主事业的真正阻碍，不是民主模式的差异，而是对他国民主探索的傲慢、偏见和敌视，是把本国民主模式强加于人的“唯我独尊”。人类政治文明的百花园之所以绚烂多彩，正是由于不同文明各有千秋。各国应坚持平等非歧视原则，相互尊重彼此的民主模式，既致力于本国探索，又加强交流互鉴；既各美其美，又美美与共，共同推动人类文明向前发展。
There is no single road to democracy. The true barrier to democracy lies not in different models of democracy, but in arrogance, prejudice and hostility towards other countries' attempts to explore their own paths to democracy, and in assumed superiority and the determination to impose one's own model of democracy on others.

Political systems vary from civilization to civilization, and each has its own strengths. All countries should uphold the principle of nondiscrimination, respect others' models of democracy, share experience with others, explore their own paths, and contribute their due share to human progress.

“一人一票”是民主的一种形式，但绝非民主的唯一和全部。长期以来，民主本义被少数国家异化歪曲，“一人一票”、政党竞争等西方选举制度被包装成民主的唯一标准。少数国家把民主作为政治工具，以同我即对、非我即错的霸权思维，以民主名义干涉别国内政、侵犯别国主权、服务自身政治目的，打着民主旗号在世界上煽动对抗与分裂，加剧国际紧张局势，成为世界乱源。人类文明要继续向前迈进，各国要实现和平共处、共同发展，必须探索民主真谛，把民主擦亮。
One Person, One Vote is a democratic principle, but it is by no means the only principle, nor does it of itself create democracy. However, it has long been misinterpreted and its meaning distorted by a small number of countries. The principles of One Person, One Vote and party competition underlying the Western electoral system are propagated by them as the sole criterion for democracy. A handful of countries exploit democracy as a political tool. Adopting the hegemonic mindset that "whoever disagrees with me is wrong", they interfere in the internal affairs of others in the name of democracy, and infringe on their sovereignty to serve their own political interests. They also incite antagonism and secession on the pretext of "bringing democracy", causing endless instability in many parts of the world and aggravating international tensions. To advance human progress and achieve peaceful coexistence and common development, all countries must understand and promote genuine democracy.

政党是现代国家治理中的重要主体，是推动人类社会进步的重要力量。在人类文明发展的历史潮流中，各国政党应本着对人类前途命运高度负责的态度，担当起引领推动人类民主事业发展的责任，以民为本，开放包容，求同存异，相互尊重，更好实现本国民主发展，更好实现人民幸福。中国共产党愿继续同各国政党和政治组织一道，深化交流，加强互鉴，共同促进人类社会发展进步。
Political parties in all countries are the major entities of modern governance and an important force for social progress. They should therefore assume their responsibility to spearhead democracy in pursuit of a shared future for humanity, and to achieve greater democracy in their own countries in pursuit of the greater wellbeing of their peoples. They should be open and inclusive, put people first, seek common ground while setting aside differences, and demonstrate mutual respect. The CPC is willing to work together with other political parties and political organizations around the world to increase exchanges, learn from each other, and promote human progress.

结束语
Conclusion

民主没有最好，只有更好。人类对民主的探索和实践永无止境。
There is always scope for improving the system of democracy. Humanity's quest for and experiments with greater democracy will never end.

中国的民主发展取得了显著成就，同时，与现代化建设的新要求、与人民对民主的新期待相比，中国的民主还需要不断发展完善。在全面建设社会主义现代化国家新征程上，中国共产党将继续高举人民民主旗帜，始终坚持以人民为中心的发展思想，坚定不移推进全过程人民民主，在不断推动人的全面发展、全体人民共同富裕中实现民主新发展，让民主之树根深叶茂、永远常青。
China has achieved considerable progress in developing democracy; to meet the new requirements of modernization and the people's new expectations for democracy, China still needs to make further improvements. On the path towards comprehensive socialist modernization, the CPC will continue to uphold people's democracy, embrace the people-centered development philosophy, promote whole-process people's democracy, ensure the sound development of democracy, and pursue well-rounded human development and common prosperity for everyone.

当今世界，正处于百年未有之大变局，既充满机遇和希望，也充满风险和挑战。只有尊重各国人民自主选择的民主道路，坚持和平发展，维护公平正义，拓展民主自由，提升人民幸福，才能汇聚全人类文明发展的强大合力，共同迈向更加美好的明天。
Today's world is experiencing change on a scale unseen in a century. It can anticipate hopes and opportunities as well as risks and challenges. All paths to democracy chosen by the peoples themselves deserve proper respect. We should pursue peaceful development, safeguard fairness and justice, increase democracy and freedom, and improve the people's wellbeing. This is the only way to build synergy among all civilizations in the quest for a better future.

文明因交流而多彩，文明因互鉴而丰富。中国人民愿同世界各国人民一道，弘扬和平、发展、公平、正义、民主、自由的全人类共同价值，本着相互尊重、求同存异的精神，共同丰富发展人类政治文明，共同推动构建人类命运共同体。
Civilizations are enriched by exchanges and mutual learning. The Chinese people are willing to work together with all other peoples around the world to carry forward the common values of humanity – peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom. In a spirit of mutual respect and following the principle of seeking common ground while setting aside differences, we will add new elements to the world's political structure and advance towards a global community of shared future together.

（注①）八个民主党派包括：中国国民党革命委员会（简称“民革”）、中国民主同盟（简称“民盟”）、中国民主建国会（简称“民建”）、中国民主促进会（简称“民进”）、中国农工民主党（简称“农工党”）、中国致公党（简称“致公党”）、九三学社、台湾民主自治同盟（简称“台盟”）。

（注②）新中国成立前，在抗日根据地、解放区的广大农村，中国共产党开展了广泛的民主选举活动。当时，绝大多数农民是文盲，为了让他们都能参加选举，中国共产党使用了很多有创意的办法，其中最为人所传颂的就是“豆选”，即用豆子代替选票，选民只要把豆子投到代表自己想要选的候选人的碗里就可以了，最终以碗中豆子的多少决定谁当选。当时，很多地方流传着这样的歌谣：“金豆豆，银豆豆，豆豆不能随便投；选好人，办好事，投在好人碗里头。”