Part 6: 1st plenum of the CPPCC

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This time, on the first day of the CPPCC conference, the CCP presented the delegates a swirling and promotional Yangge show. SeePart 4 . The young artists Guang Weiran and Hu Sha were responsible for this performance and they have written an act called “the great musical of Long Live The People’s Victory” and there are some 250 dancers and singers active. "The purpose of the show is “to demonstrate the idea of the people’s democratic dictatorship, the leadership of the proletariat, the importance of workers and peasants as the foundation [of the nation], and the great unity of the various national minorities." The spectacle was also a tribute to the communist leaders and particularly to Mao Zedong.

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662 delegates representing 45 different organizations as well some specially invited guests were convening. 585 delegates were qualified to vote (see Members and Gallery ), from whom 340 are CCP member.(4 ex CCP members and 6 CCP members as special guests) There were 69 women present, 7 persons represent different religious movements: Buddhism (2) and Christianity (5).The Islam representatives are incorporated in the minority delegates.
The list of participants exhibits two distinct characteristics. Firstly, it reflects the Republican-era notion of representing competing political forces, akin to the Anglo-American system. Secondly, the inclusion of delegations representing women, ethnic minorities, and students exemplifies the CCP's corporatist approach to representation. This approach is grounded in the belief that women are best represented by women, ethnic minorities by members of their respective ethnic groups, and so on.
The order in which the parties are listed reflects the hierarchy established by the CCP, influenced by four key factors: the ideological alignment of the Minzhu Dangpai with the Communist Party, the public image of the parties' most prominent members, their direct involvement in the consultation processes in Lijiazhuang or Harbin, and the significance of the constituents each Minzhu Dangpai could mobilize for national reconstruction. Zhou Enlai commented on this situation on April 13, 1950, noting, "We have united democratic figures from religious groups solely because they are democratic figures. Granting the freedom of religious belief is distinct from inviting these democratic figures from religious groups to participate in the CPPCC or other representative meetings. The latter is motivated purely by political considerations, regardless of whether they are priests or monks."
102 delegates represent Regional areas, 60 delegates represent the PLA, but many Regional delegates are also members of the PLA. In total, there are 127 PLA representatives (and 4 PLA are invited). 142 delegates represent 14 political parties and 206 persons represent mass organizations. The youngest participant is 17 years old, the oldest is 81 years of age. See Table 3 and Members show the official list.
Determining the exact number of participants in Beijing is challenging. Estimates suggest that there are likely 634 or 635 attendees at the Congress, although some sources mention a figure of 614. Certain individuals faced significant challenges in arriving on time. For instance, after the destructive political and financial crises of August 1948, Zhou Zuomin, the president of the Kincheng Bank, escaped from Shanghai to Hong Kong with the assistance of American friends. Later on, dissatisfied with the GMD, he aided some communists and third-party members in leaving Hong Kong to attend the first Political Consultative Conference and the founding ceremony of New China in Beijing.

The Census results of 1953 shows 8 provinces with more than 30 million inhabitants, of those 3 provinces (Sichuan, Shandong and Henan) are underrepresented and 2 provinces (Shaanxi and Shanxi) with less than 20 million are overrepresented in the CPPCC.

There are several new organizations present. They have been founded between June and September 1949. For instance: the All-China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (FLAC), which is founded in July 1949. Its chairman is Guo Muruo, a CCP member. There are also 300 onlookers, including 31 journalists. 4 of them came from SU, Korea, and Italy.
The leaders of the CCP keep speeches in which they firmly oppose the GMD regime and assure the public their cooperation with the Minzhu Dangpai is sincere and lasting.

Mao Zedong posits that this conference cannot be compared with the old political consultative conference of the GMD in 1946. "The present Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference is convened on an entirely new foundation; it is representative of the people of the whole country and enjoys their trust and support. Therefore, the conference proclaims that it will exercise the functions and powers of a National People's Congress."

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Liu Shaoqi confirmed the role of the CCP and its commitment to collaboration with other democratic parties and groups, people's organizations, national minorities, Overseas Chinese, and other patriotic elements based on the common program of New Democracy. He stated that the Communist Party of China participates in the People's Political Consultative Conference as a political party that will address all major issues facing the country. The CCP is dedicated to implementing and striving to fulfill all resolutions passed by the People's Political Consultative Conference, asserting its commitment to uphold the conference's authority and prevent any attempts to undermine it.
Liu further assured the Minzhu Dangpai that the CCP would fully adhere to the stipulations of the common program once discussed and adopted by the Plenary Session of the CPPCC. He called on the people nationwide to work toward its complete realization. Liu reassured them that during the transition from capitalism to socialism, the Communist Party of China would consult and make joint decisions with democratic parties, groups, people's organizations, national minorities, and patriotic democratic individuals. He affirmed that the CCP is open to pursuing socialism alongside all those who are willing to do so.
These words and former speeches of the CCP leaders have persuaded people like Lu Zuofu and Song Feixing the director of Dongya Company to participate. Song is chosen as a member of the National Committee of the CPPCC. The party presented Tianjin (see Part 3) as a model for implementing moderate policies in business. For instance, they distributed propaganda to local businesspeople in Chengdu, located in southwest China, highlighting Tianjin as a successful example of collaboration between patriotic capitalists and the Chinese Communist Party. Song's conviction did not last long and in 1950 he left for Hong Kong. Lu Zuofu confounded in his faith and in 1952 committed suicide after accusations of bribery.

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Despite the communist leaders' assurances of a long-term partnership between the CCP and the Minzhu Dangpai, Liu Shaoqi made it clear during a Politburo meeting on September 13, 1948, that the democratic revolution would only be considered complete once political power was secured. The earlier conflicts with imperialism and feudalism had been resolved, and the focus would now shift to the struggle between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie. Mao Zedong further clarified this point, stating that following the completion of the bourgeois democratic revolution, the primary internal conflict in China would be between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie, while the main external conflict would remain with imperialism.
Zhou Enlai claimed that the Common Program serves as a minimum agenda, while the CCP also has a maximum agenda. The choice to exclude the maximum program from the Common Program reflects a deep respect for it and does not imply its rejection. The economic section of the Common Program outlines the concrete steps necessary to advance toward this envisioned future.
In a radio broadcast, Liu Shaoqi highlighted this distinction, noting that the CCP has both a minimum and a maximum program, with the latter not included in the Common Program of the CPPCC. During the consultations, some delegates suggested incorporating China's future socialism into the Common Program; however, we believe this is not appropriate, as significant socialist advancements in China are still a distant prospect. Undoubtedly, China's future will move toward socialism and communism. In 1958, Mao acknowledged that he had not disclosed his true intentions in 1949, explaining that it was a tactical decision to keep them private. At that time, uncertain about the party's ability to effectively govern the country, Mao presented the party as being less communist than it actually was. His goal was to garner support from various social groups, including peasants, capitalists, merchants, small shop owners, peddlers, artisans, and intellectuals.

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The Common Program was drafted following extensive consultations. Zhou Jingwen, a member of the CDL, noted that the CCP proposed the Common Program. During the subsequent committee discussions, some delegates suggested amendments, but these were rejected after the Communist delegates provided explanations for their original proposals. The committees were limited to deliberating the wording of the proposed text. When the Common Program was presented back to the conference, it was passed unanimously and enthusiastically by a show of hands. Additionally, all speeches given by the delegates required prior approval from the Presidium, which was, of course, controlled by the CCP. In the text of the Common Program, the term “coalition government does not appear. However, in the first draft of the Common program that Zhou Enlai sent to Mao Zedong for review, the term was used many times and a passage from Mao Zedong’s “on coalition government” was quoted.
Shenamjil, a veteran linguist credits Ulanhu with inscribing article 53 of the Common Program. During the conference, over 100 delegates delivered speeches, and on the final day, Mao Zedong closed the Congress. He emphasized the need to organize the vast majority of the Chinese people into political, military, economic, cultural, and other organizations, aiming to put an end to the disorganization that had characterized old China. Mao called for harnessing the collective strength of the masses to support both the People's Government and the People's Liberation Army, with the goal of building a new China that is independent, democratic, peaceful, unified, prosperous, and strong.

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The conference adopted all decisions of the 6 committees which were formed in June 1949 at the preparatory meeting. See Part 4. The Common Program was accepted. It was decided that Beijing would serve as the capital of the PRC. This decision was influenced by the fact that the counterrevolutionary GMD had established their capital in Nanjing, relying on imperialism due to its proximity to Shanghai, a central hub for both imperialist interests and the comprador class that exploited the Chinese people. The PRC, being a people's republic, derives its legitimacy solely from the Chinese populace; thus, there was no need to establish the capital in Nanjing. Beiping had been the capital of China for over seven hundred years. Politically, it is situated in the historically liberated northern region, where the people's power is substantial. Culturally, it is a renowned historic city with global significance and has been the cradle of new culture and thought since the May Fourth Movement. Therefore, the PRC should designate Beiping as its capital and rename it Beijing. The designs of the national flag and national emblem and the text of the national hymn are approved. The introduction of the Gregorian calendar is sanctioned and the decision to establish the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) is made. Furthermore, is decided to build the Monument to the People’s Heroes on Tiananmen square. The delegates chose the members for the National Committee of the CPPCC. See Standing Committee of the CPPCC and Chart 1 shows the government structure. The organic law of the CPPCC stipulates that once in the 6 months the National Committee has to convene. In reality, the first National Committee had only met 4 times in 5 years of time. The Congress adopted two laws, the organic law of the CPPCC and the organic law of the central government. Article 4 of the organic law of the CPPCC tells that difference of opinion is allowed "…it must, in accordance with the democratic principle of the minority submitting to the majority, abide by the resolutions, and must not violate them. However, it may reserve its divergent opinions for discussion at the following session. If it fundamentally disagrees with important resolutions, it is free to withdraw from the Chinese People's PCC upon request."

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The Congress also chose the members of the Central People’s Government Council (CGPC) See Members of the CPGC The head of the council is Mao Zedong, there are 6 vice chairmen; 3 CCP members, namely, Liu Shaoqi, Zhu De and Gao Gang. The others are Soong Ching Ling (non-party), Li Jishen, member of the Rev. GMD and Zhang Lan CDL member. All four CCP adherents are Politburo members. 29 members and 2 alternative members of the Central Committee of the CCP are members of the CPGC.
Soviet ambassador Roshchin remarked in his diary how the real position of the non-CCP participants is. During the state banquet: Li Jishen, … Zhang Lan, and Cheng Qian. Because the presence of these last three, Com. Mao Zedong avoided conversations on serious political matters." Already in January 1949, the CCP decided to restrict the access to certain documents and political decisions for the Minzhu Dangpai.. See Part 3. In December 1953 Gao Gang expressed: "He was also uncomfortable with the continuing existence of the 'democratic parties' in China. While some individual members of these parties could be trusted, said Gao, others were completely unreliable as were, in general, the parties themselves.²⁹"
The CPGC has the supreme power of the People's Republic of China and it consists of the Government Administration Council, the Revolutionary Military Committee, the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate and from 1952 till 1954 the State Planning Commission.

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Road to Common Program

• Road to Common Program
• Common Program
• Bibliography
• Documents