The People's Daily newspaper is hailing the close of the First Session of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in an editorial on Saturday, stressing the important role it plays in the development of a socialist democracy in the country.

"The role of the CPPCC is irreplaceable and its work needs to be supported," says the editorial entitled "Start a more spectacular new march". It urged Communist Party of China (CPC) committees and leaders of different levels to support the work of the CPPCC under the new situation and requirements.

The session, which ended on Friday, put forward many constructive comments and suggestions, firmly focusing on the two major themes of solidarity and democracy, the editorial said.

It said at the session, the CPPCC National Committee members reviewed the work of the past five years and decided the tasks for the next five years.

During their 12-day session, the members observed the NPC session and heard and discussed the government work report by Premier Wen Jiabao. They spoke highly of the report, calling it strategic, pragmatic and encouraging.

The editorial hailed the election of the new leadership of the CPPCC National Committee, calling it a smooth transition between the old and new leaders.

People's democracy is the vitality of socialism, and it is the unswerving goal for the Party to strive for, the editorial said.

It emphasized that history has fully proved the socialist political development road with Chinese characteristics is the correct road the Party has led the people to find through long-time practice.

The road is helpful to bringing into play the features and advantages of the socialist system, developing people's democracy, promoting economic and social development, safeguarding the national unification, ethnic unity, people's safety and health and social harmony, and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, said the editorial.

(Xinhua News Agency March 15, 2008)