On December 9, 2021, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivered video remarks titled "Promoting  True Democracy for a Better Future of Humankind" at the 14th Bali Democracy  Forum held in Indonesia.

Wang Yi said, rafflesia in Bali  is the world's largest blossom, and can only grow in the tropical rainforests in  Southeast Asia. Just as plants are unique to the land they grow on, democracy,  as a major fruit of human progress, is also rooted and nurtured in the history,  culture, ethnic traditions and social environment of the countries concerned.  Our forefathers' tireless pursuit of democracy over thousands of years of human  history has been aimed to, all in all, find better systems and political  structures so that humanity could be free from war, hunger and poverty, live  happy lives, and enjoy equity and justice. As we meet, the COVID-19 pandemic  continues to ravage our societies, and the international landscape is undergoing  major changes unseen in a century. How to properly perceive, practice, improve  and develop democracy is indeed a "question of the century", a question that  bears on the future of humankind.

Wang Yi said, some regard  Western democracy as the only correct answer. They seek to forcibly transplant  and impose it onto the whole world. Some attempt to take one country's model as  the criterion, provoking tension between different political systems and  ideologies and creating division and confrontation in the world. None of these  is true democracy, but fake democracy using democracy as a cover. Democracy is a  common value of humanity. Democracy is not a special right reserved to a certain  country, but a right for the people of all countries. The key criterion for  whether a country is democratic or not is whether its people are truly the  masters of their own fate.

Wang Yi said, since its  founding, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has been upholding the banner of  democracy, setting as its goals to found a New China where the people are the  masters of their own fate, and taking as its obligation to realize true and  effective democracy in China. Through a century of exploration and  experimentation, the CPC has led the Chinese people in finding a new form of  democracy that suits China's national conditions, one that President Xi Jinping  described as the whole-process people's democracy. It centers on the interests  of the people. We have integrated all the links of democracy, including  democratic election, democratic consultation, democratic decision-making,  democratic management, and democratic oversight, to ensure that the Chinese  people can voice their concerns effectively and thoroughly in every step of the  way, and the Chinese people's wills are reflected to the fullest extent. At the  same time, it features a full set of institutional procedures and full  participation and practice by the people. We seek to bring out the best of both  election democracy and consultative democracy and integrate all elements of  democracy - process and outcome, procedural and substantive, direct and  indirect. Our democracy has distinctive Chinese characteristics, and at the same  time, it has also enriched humanity's political civilization.

Wang Yi said that countries  have different ways to achieve democracy. There is no single correct form of  democracy for others to worship, and no democracy is superior to others. We have  full confidence in our democracy, and we also fully respect other countries'  democracy. We will not export our democracy. We are ready to have dialogue and  exchanges with others on an equal footing, learn from other civilizations, and  provide useful experience to other countries as well.

Wang Yi stressed that  democracy is not only a way of domestic governance, but also a principle in  global governance. We need to vigorously advocate the spirit of democracy in  state-to-state interactions, actively promote the correct approaches such as  respect for sovereignty, equal-footed consultation, solidarity and cooperation,  and make unremitting efforts for greater democracy in international  relations. Wang Yi put forward the following three suggestions:

First, we need to respect  national sovereignty and defend the basic norms of international relations. The  preaching of "human rights superseding sovereignty" and willful democratic  transformation of other countries did not bring about stability or prosperity.  They put countries into chaos and rubble, displaced their people, and caused  many refugee crises. We must learn a lesson, resolutely uphold the central role  of the United Nations, defend the authority of the UN Charter, and oppose acts  that undermine sovereignty or interfere in the internal affairs of other  countries under the pretext of democracy or human rights.

Second, we need to advocate  consultation on an equal footing and promote democratic concepts with Asian  features. Asia, with a time-honored history, has the tradition of embracing  diversity, and cultivated the democratic culture of consultation. Asian,  African, and Latin American countries made a call of justice for global  democratic governance at the Bandung Conference. China and ASEAN set a fine  example of joint consultation and contribution for shared benefits in the  international arena. We should actively advocate consultation as equals and make  it an important part of more democratic international relations.

Third, we need to uphold  solidarity and cooperation and jointly tackle global challenges. Forming small  groups and circles in the name of democracy in fact tramples on the spirit of  democracy and is turning back the wheel of human history. In this globalized  era, democratic governance is by no means creating a small yard with high  fences, decoupling or cutting off supply chains. Nor is it pursuing  protectionism or confrontation through alliance. Rather, democratic governance  should be upholding free trade, strengthening connectivity, seeking mutual  benefit and win-win results, and making globalization fairer, more equitable,  and beneficial to all.

Wang Yi emphasized that the  true meaning and value of democracy will ultimately prevail and continue to be  enriched. While China further develops and refines democracy at home, it will  firmly uphold principles for more democratic international relations, and remain  a builder of world peace, contributor to global development and defender of the  international order. China advocates true democratic spirit and will, together  with countries around the world, create a better future for humanity.

Established in 2008, the Bali  Democracy Forum is an essential platform for countries in the Asia-Pacific  region to hold dialogues and exchanges on democracy. Indonesian Foreign Minister  Retno Marsudi and officials, experts, and scholars from other countries attended  the forum themed "Democracy for Humanity: Advancing Economic and Social Justice  during the Pandemic".