Democracy, which the people of a country are in the best position to judge, should be focused on how it can deliver to the people, senior politicians and experts said on Thursday, as called for greater respect for how each country chooses to develop.
Highlighting the significance of advancing whole-process people's democracy, China's top legislator called for great efforts to ensure the full implementation of the Constitution, with sound legislation to promote growth and governance.
At the annual gatherings, over 5,000 national legislators and political advisers — ranging from farmers to State leaders — sit together in the Great Hall of the People in the heart of Beijing to deliberate on bills or discuss affairs of State, pool their wisdom and bring the Chinese people together to forge ahead.
A Chinese spokesperson said Saturday that the ongoing revision of the Legislation Law embodies whole-process people's democracy and its requirements.
Local legislative outreach offices have been described as direct lines to national legislation for the public. They have proved to be important platforms for the democratic expression of public opinion, demonstrating a unique role in developing whole-process people's democracy and strengthening governance in China.
To carry out whole-process people's democracy, the top legislature has designated more than 30 sites, including colleges and subdistricts, as grassroots stations to collect people's ideas and suggestions on legislation over the past few years.
As of September this year, the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) has set up 32 legislative outreach offices, covering all provincial-level regions on the Chinese mainland.
Whole-process people's democracy has been highlighted in a draft law amendment, so as to ensure public opinions are heard in every step of legislative affairs.