Interview: China's whole-process people's democracy offers valuable insights for int'l community, says Serbian lawmaker

Democracy is not confined to electoral procedures, but should ensure that people can express their views, have their individuality respected, and benefit from merit-based opportunities and social inclusion, said a Serbian lawmaker.

China, she said, has demonstrated with concrete results that its system works effectively for a population of more than 1.4 billion.

BELGRADE, March 7 (Xinhua) -- China's whole-process people's democracy is "unique by its nature" and has proven effective through decades of practice, offering valuable insights for the international community, said Marina Ragus, deputy speaker of Serbia's National Assembly.

Ragus told Xinhua in a recent interview that she is closely following this year's "two sessions," the annual meetings of China's top legislature and top political advisory body, noting that the event has attracted global attention.

She described the meetings as a distinctive institutional arrangement, with lawmakers and political advisors coming from both local and national levels.

Ragus was particularly impressed by the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), whose members include well-known scholars, entrepreneurs and individuals without party affiliation, demonstrating the diversity of participation in China's consultative democracy.

On the aspects of this year's meetings that deserve particular attention, Ragus highlighted innovation, energy, improvement of people's well-being and balanced regional development.

"For the outside world, especially for Europe, it is important to see where the new space for China's further growth lies," she said.

She also noted that discussions related to China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) and global initiatives, as well as cooperation between Serbia and China, will be closely watched.

Speaking on China's whole-process people's democracy, Ragus said the governance model places the people at the center.

In her view, democracy is not confined to electoral procedures, but should ensure that people can express their views, have their individuality respected, and benefit from merit-based opportunities and social inclusion.

China, she said, has demonstrated with concrete results that its system works effectively for a population of more than 1.4 billion.

Ragus also shared her perspective on Chinese modernization, describing it as a development path underpinned by long-term strategic planning and political stability.

She noted that sustained investment in innovation, advanced production lines and automation has driven structural transformation, generated employment opportunities and improved living standards.

On the international stage, she said, China has shared development achievements and economic opportunities with other countries. "You do not impose, you share," she said, calling it an important message conveyed by China's development philosophy. ■