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In September 1949, when the People's Republic of China was officially proclaimed, the nation found itself grappling with the consequences of nearly 35 years of turmoil. This period included the civil war, followed by Japanese occupation, and then another phase of civil conflict. Many lives were lost during this tumultuous era, countless individuals became refugees, and social bonds were fractured. The economy had been on a downward spiral for several years, with the primary culprits being the civil war, extensive infrastructure damage, rampant corruption, and soaring inflation rates. Faced with these challenges, the new government had the daunting task of both reviving the economy and restoring faith in the political system.
To achieve this, the Common Program was introduced as an endeavor to garner support from various quarters in order to realize a 'New' China. This vision hinged on collaboration between the Minzhu Dangpai, the working class, and farmers, with the ultimate objective being the gradual implementation of socialism. The acceptance and fulfilment of the Common Program were the important tasks of the CPPCC. The document consisted of a preamble and 7 chapters;
1. General principles
2. Organs of state
3. Military system
4. Economic policy
5. Cultural and Education program
6. Policy towards nationalities (minorities)
7. Foreign policy.
The document served as a blueprint for upcoming actions and aimed to portray the new leaders of China as moderately progressive and inclusive in their political approach. The program defined in its preamble clearly who can play a role in this future. "... the state power of the people's democratic united front composed of the Chinese working class, peasantry, petty bourgeoisie, national bourgeoisie and other patriotic democratic elements, based on the alliance of workers and peasants and led by the working class." In other words, a part of the people was explicitly excluded, they were "...the running-dogs of imperialism, the landlord class and bureaucrat-bourgeoisie, as well as the representatives of these classes, the GuoMinDang reactionaries and their accomplices."
As the CCP took control over China’s cities, it was confronted with several social order problems. Two primary categories of targets were identified. The first encompassed counter-revolutionaries, including remaining GMD troops and supporters, secret societies, criminal gangs, and bandits. The second group consisted of offenders engaged in residual crimes inherited from the old society, such as the cultivation, trafficking, and usage of narcotic drugs, gambling, prostitution, kidnapping, and trafficking women and children. Additionally, a significant transient population, vagrants, drug addicts, and abandoned children notably disrupted social order.

Other elements of the preamble:
1. Triumph of Liberation: Ending Imperialism, Feudalism, and Bureaucratic Capitalism
2. From Oppression to Mastery: Chinese People Forge a New Society and State
3. Replacing Reactionary Rule: People's Democratic Dictatorship Overthrows Kuomintang's Regime
4. Unity in Diversity: The Chinese People's Democratic Dictatorship and the Democratic United Front
5. Founding the People's Republic: Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Leads the Way
6. Political Foundation: Unanimous Agreement on New Democracy for China's National Construction
7. Shared Vision: Embracing the Common Program for the People's Republic of China

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Chapter 1 of Common Program

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