Chen Xiaoguang, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), attended the 2021 Symposium on Social Governance Innovation in the New Era held in Beijing on Dec 1.

Organized by the Committee on Social and Legal Affairs of the CPPCC National Committee and the China Law Society, the meeting focused on topics of neighborhood management, renovations of public facilities, and services for the elderly.

Chen, who is also executive vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, said the meeting paved the way for the implementation of the spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC). It also reflects the CPPCC's role in political consultation and consensus building.

Chen said the annual symposium, now on its third edition, has become a platform featuring the multilevel stakeholder engagement and diverse participation as well as a signature program by the Committee on Social and Legal Affairs.

The CPPCC work faces new and higher requirements after the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee included "promoting the united front" as an important historical experience and listed the development of the whole-process people's democracy as a major decision, said Chen.

With the COVID-19 response at the heart of promoting innovative governance, Chen called for efforts to put the people first and urged various organizations, including business associations and chambers of commerce, to play a more active role in this cause.  

He also urged local committees of the CPPCC to pay attention to issues concerning people's livelihoods, enrich the forms of performing democratic supervision, and promote grassroots-level social governance with solid and effective efforts.