Rooted in China's history and culture, created in the revolutions of the Chinese people in the modern era, and developed through the practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the CPPCC is uniquely Chinese. It is an important force for the prosperity of the country, the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and the wellbeing of the people. From the outset, the CPPCC has played an important role in founding the PRC and during the various historical periods of socialist revolution, development, and reform.

The First Plenary Session of the CPPCC was held on September 21-30, 1949. In his opening speech, Mao Zedong declared with pride, "We are all convinced that our work will go down in the history of mankind, demonstrating that the Chinese people, comprising one quarter of the world population, have now stood up." Representing the will of all ethnic groups, the conference exercised the functions and power of the National People's Congress (NPC) until that body was established. It adopted a provisional constitution titled the Common Program of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, in addition to the Organic Law of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the Organic Law of the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China. The session also decided on the capital, national flag, national anthem and calendar of the PRC. The first session elected the National Committee of the CPPCC and the Central People's Government Council of the PRC, and proclaimed the founding of the PRC, the ultimate victory of the Chinese people's 100-year fight for national independence and the liberation of the people, the completion of the organizational framework of the patriotic united front and the unity of the people, the establishment of the system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC, and the official establishment of system of the CPPCC. The first session of CPPCC made an immense contribution to the founding of New China.

Subsequently, the CPPCC contributed to restoring and developing the economy, consolidating the newborn people's government, completing socialist revolution, establishing the basic socialist system, and promoting socialist development. Since the First NPC was convened in 1954, the CPPCC has continued to perform an outstanding role in state politics and social life. It ushered in a new stage of development when the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee was held in 1978. The CPC's second generation of central leadership with Deng Xiaoping at the core clarified the nature and mission of the CPPCC in a new period, and proposed the principle of “long-term coexistence, mutual supervision, straight dealing, and sharing the rough times and the smooth”. It was during this period that the nature and role of the CPPCC was included in the nation's Constitution. The CPC's third generation of central leadership with Jiang Zemin at the core confirmed the system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation under CPC leadership as the nation's basic political system. The revised Constitution provides that this system will continue to exist and develop into the future, further clarifying the nature, mission and functions of the CPPCC. The CPC Central Committee with Hu Jintao as General Secretary issued the Opinions on Strengthening the Work of the CPPCC and other documents, laying down the theoretical and institutional basis for the CPPCC's development in the new century.

From the CPC's 18th National Congress in 2012, Chinese socialism entered a new era. The CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at the core has attached great importance to and strengthened leadership over the work of the CPPCC. At the Central Conference on the Work of the CPPCC to celebrate its 70th anniversary, Xi Jinping recounted the 70 years of the CPPCC's history from the perspective of the mission development of the Party and the State. Speaking highly of its contribution to the founding of the PRC and to socialist revolution, development and reform, he highlighted the new requirements for the CPPCC following the 18th CPC National Congress, expounded on its mission and tasks in the new era, defined the requirements and focal areas for its work, and set the new direction for the future. Since then, a series of important documents have been released to provide a powerful institutional guarantee for the CPPCC's development in the new era, such as the Opinions of the CPC Central Committee on Strengthening and Improving the Work of the CPPCC in the New Era, Opinions on Strengthening the Building of Consultative Democracy in the CPPCC, Opinions on Strengthening and Improving the CPPCC's Work in Democratic Supervision, and the Opinions on Strengthening Party Development of the CPPCC in the New Era.

Upholding the overall leadership of the CPC and guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the CPPCC studies and implements CPC General Secretary Xi Jinping's thought on strengthening and improving the work of the CPPCC and fulfilling its role as an important channel of socialist consultative democracy. The CPPCC is committed to implementing the Five-sphere Integrated Plan[1] and the Four-pronged Comprehensive Strategy[2], pursuing democracy and unity, offering advice and suggestions on state affairs, and building consensus. It pursues innovation in its theories, institution, and day-to-day work, and organizes its participating units and members to contribute to fulfilling the Party's mission in the new era. Focusing on its central tasks of consultation and discussion on state affairs, the CPPCC solicits ideas and suggestions to facilitate decision-making, and builds consensus to implement the decisions. The CPPCC has made an important contribution to realizing the Two Centenary Goals[3], making China a modern socialist country, and achieving the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

[1] This is China's overall plan for building socialism with Chinese characteristics, that is, to promote coordinated progress in the economic, political, cultural, s chinadaily.com.cn ocial and eco-environmental fields.

[2] This is China's strategic plan for building socialism with Chinese characteristics, that is, to make comprehensive moves to complete a moderately prosperous society in all respects, to further reform, to advance the rule of law, and to strengthen Party self-governance.

[3]  The Two Centenary Goals were put forth by the CPC at its 18th National Congress in November 2012 for building socialism with Chinese characteristics. The two goals are to complete a moderately prosperous society in all respects by the centenary of the CPC (founded in 1921) and to build China into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, and harmonious by the centenary of the PRC (founded in 1949).