国内英语新闻:Non-Communist party to strengthen political participation

BEIJING, April 17 (Xinhua) -- China Democratic League (CDL), one of the eight non-Communist parties in the country, on Wednesday said it is aiming for more political participation and supervision.

At a meeting, the CDL discussed the drafting of its first five-year plan in its 72-year history, a move that can better promote its role in China's politics, it said.

According to the draft plan, the CDL will study one or two major issues over the next five years, and submit seven or eight policy suggestions every year, making contributions to the development of the country.

It also called for more democratic supervision by providing high-quality suggestions to the ruling Communist Party of China and the government through the system of the National People's Congress, the country's legislative body, and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference system, the political advisory body.

Zhang Baowen, president of the CDL, urged all members of the party at the meeting to unswervingly support the path of the Socialism with Chinese characteristics, and promote reform of the country.

Founded in 1941, the CDL had more than 230,000 members around China as of November 2012.