The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body, has played a crucial role in promoting multiparty cooperation and socialist democracy in the country, Cambodian politicians have said.
The CPPCC, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), performs a very important role and duty to provide political consultations for the National People's Congress (NPC) and the Chinese government, said Ek Sam Ol, member of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) Central Committee, in an exclusive interview with Xinhua on Friday in Phnom Penh.
The CPPCC consists of representatives of the CPC and non-Communist parties, personages without party affiliation, and representatives of people's organizations, ethnic minorities and various social strata.
"Since the CPPCC is comprised of representatives from political parties and various sectors of society, it's no doubt that this body plays a vital role in promoting multiparty cooperation and socialist democracy," he said.
"The body is an invaluable 'brain bank' that provides proposals and insights for the Chinese government on running state affairs," he added.
Sam Ol, also head of the CPP delegates at the Cambodia's Supreme Council for Consultations and Recommendations (SCCR), said the CPPCC is an effective mechanism to improve governance and socio-economic development in China.
"In my view, the CPPCC has also importantly contributed to strengthening the rule of law and to fighting corruption," he said.
During the ongoing CPPCC annual meeting, Sam Ol said he will cast his eyes on China's economic development, anti-corruption drives, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind.
The CPPCC is neither a body of state power nor a policymaking organ, but an important platform on which various political parties, people's organizations, and people of all ethnic groups and from all sectors of society work together in democratically participating in state affairs.
Sam Ol said the CPPCC has similar roles to Cambodia's SCCR, which was established in September last year.
He said the SCCR is a bi-annual consultation forum between the Cambodian government and political parties. It is made up of 30 leaders or representatives of 16 political parties taking part in the July general election.
He added that the SCCR has duties to provide opinions on government policies, give feedback on draft laws, and report on inaction or violations by government officials.
"I think the CPPCC and the SCCR have similar roles," he said. "The SCCR has duties to provide opinions and report on irregular issues in the society to the prime minister."
Chhim Phal Virun, head of the SCCR Secretariat, said the SCCR plays a vital role in enhancing the culture of dialogue between the Cambodian government and political parties, and in promoting cooperation among political parties.
"With full support from the government, the SCCR has become an effective mechanism to promote democracy, to strengthen the rule of law, to reduce nepotism and to fight against corruption," he told Xinhua.
Phal Virun said the SCCR is not a policymaker, but an input collector for the government. He added that it would be good if the CPPCC and the SCCR could forge cooperation in the future.
"In my capacity as the president of the SCCR Secretariat, I welcome if there is any cooperation between the two bodies because it will be a good opportunity for the exchanges of knowledge, experience and ideas," he said. "Actually, we want to learn about the CPPCC's contributions to supporting China's anti-corruption drive."
