(250818) -- BEIJING, Aug. 18, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Ma Lihuai, deputy director of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Song Rui, deputy secretary-general of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) and director-general of the Research Office of the General Office of the Standing Committee of the NPC, Hu Henglu, deputy secretary-general of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and Duan Yijun, vice director of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, attend a press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO) on developing socialist democracy during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)