Democracy should not be a one-size-fits-all model but rather be tailored to local circumstances, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Tulia Ackson said to China Global Television Network (CGTN).
Ackson, who is also the Speaker of Tanzania's National Assembly, discussed the whole-process people's democracy in an interview with CGTN during a seminar at the end of August.
She hailed the success of China's unique approach to democracy and socialism, stressing the importance of not enforcing a singular model worldwide.
"I mean, like you rightly said, when you are people-centered, I think some of the things can develop from the people themselves. So it doesn't have to be that democracy --You have one size fits all. So, in a way what China has been able to achieve so far, we have seen that it has its own way of looking at democracy. It has its own way of approaching socialism," said Ackson.
Ackson lauded China's infrastructure progress and societal advancements as inspiring examples for developing nations, saying that democracy should deliver essential social services, foster personal growth, and drive national development.
"We are here. We have seen infrastructure development. We have seen how people have moved from one stage of development to the next. You would want that to every person of this world to have reached there. Now, because we are meeting here as part of the Global South, because of examples China is offering. So, considering democracy, we don't have to have one form of democracy to be conformed by everybody. We have to look at the local circumstances and see how people are responding to those policies. And if those policies are able to offer good social services, if those policies are able to offer personal development, if these policies are able to offer development of a nation together, I think this is what people should learn from," said Ackson.
Last month, the National People's Congress and the Inter-Parliamentary Union jointly organized the 2024 Interregional Seminar on the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals for Parliaments of Developing Countries.
Democracy should not be one-size-fits-all model: IPU president
As the Qingming Festival approaches this Friday, various traditional folk activities have been held across China, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the occasion.
With a 2,500-year history, Qingming Festival, or the Festival of Pure Brightness, observed in early April, uniquely combines ancestral worship with the celebration of spring. Falling on the 15th day after the spring equinox, this ritual-rich observance reflects China's enduring values of ancestral veneration and inspires deep introspection about what gives life meaning.
In Sijia Village, Huayin City, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, a unique swing festival is held to mark the occasion. Eighteen different types of traditional swings, such as the spinning wheel swing, the Bagua swing reminiscent of a rotating carousel, and the balance swing designed for two people, have attracted many visitors.
Historically, Sijia Village served as a military post guarding the strategic Tongguan pass, a former mountain pass and fortress located south of the confluence of the Wei and Yellow Rivers. The swing tradition in the village has its origins in military training exercises like climbing and river crossing. The local swing culture further developed as regional trade flourished, eventually evolving into the "swing festival" that continues today.
"It's very exciting and tests your skill, endurance, and most importantly, your arm strength. You need to maintain balance," said Qu Xiangyang, a visitor.
In Rudong County, Nantong City, east China's Jiangsu Province, another traditional Qingming activity takes place - kite flying.
Flying kites as a way of making wishes is an age-old Qingming custom in this region. As a result, the Qingming Festival in Nantong is also known as the "Kite Festival."
The local Banyao whistling kite making skills is listed as one of the first national intangible cultural heritage items.
According to a folk culture expert, people traditionally write the names of diseases or misfortunes on paper, attach it to a kite, and release it into the sky. This practice is believed to drive away illness and disaster, while also serving as a way to make wishes.
In south China's Guangdong Province, a large tug-of-war competition is underway in Maoming City. Teams from different towns and streets are competing, attracting many locals to cheer on their teams.
Tug-of-war, which originated during the late Spring and Autumn period (770 BC - 476 BC), became part of Qingming customs during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty once organized large-scale tug-of-war competitions for the festival.
"Tug-of-war became very popular in the Tang Dynasty, even emerging as the national sport. It originated in the Jingchu region and later spread across the country. In ancient Lingnan (Southern China), tug-of-war games were a common tradition. Through these events, people seek to pray for peace, prosperity, and abundant harvests," said Yao Guojun, vice dean of the College of Arts and Law, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology.
Traditional folk activities held for Qingming Festival
