By Hong Soon-do, Beijing correspondent, AsiaToday - You may think it's necessary to be a communist in order to become China's national leader. But that's not necessarily true. It's possible for a non-communist to play active role in China's political life. One of the good examples include China's former vice president Rong Yiren. Although he was a former capitalist, one of the "stinking ninth category" defined by the Communist Party in the past, he worked as vice president of the People's Republic without ever joining the Communist Party.

The Revolutionary Committee of theChinese Kuomintang (RCCK), one of China's eight non-communist parties, held itsnational congress recently in Nanjing. The party is famous for producing manynational leaders./ Source: search engine Baidu

1

Since it's not an exaggeration to say that China has become capitalist compared with the past, significant number of non-communist talents are now working for the country. Most of all, we should mention Wan Exiang, vice chairperson of the Standing Committee of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC). He is chairperson of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang (RCCK), one of China's eight non-communist parties.

Wan Exiang, vice chairperson of the Standing Committee of the 12thNational People's Congress (NPC) and chairperson of the Revolutionary Committeeof the Chinese Kuomintang (RCCK)./ Source: search engine Baidu

1

Qi Xuchun, vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), is also a non-communist. His position is equivalent to deputy prime minister level. He also belongs to the RCCK.

Another good example is Zhang Baowen, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the 12th NPC. Chen Xiaoguang, Ma Peihua, Luo Fuhe are non-communist vice-chairpersons of the 12th CPPCC National Committee.