What role does the People's Congress system play in the life of the people of China?
The People's Congress system exists to exercise state power on
behalf of the people. Its role in the life of the people of China
may be outlined as follows.
The People's Congress system as a whole is a mechanism for the
exercise of state power. The National People's Congress (NPC) is
the highest organ of state power. In addition various local
people's congresses operate at the local levels. The system is
legitimized by the Constitution and the law. It is through the
people's congresses that the Chinese people exercise their right to
govern their country.
The People's Congress is an arm of the state. The Constitution and
the law entrust the people's congresses with specific key
responsibilities. Like many other executive bodies such as
government, judicial and procuratorial organs, they deal with many
routine matters.
The National People's Congress and some local people's congresses
are charged with law-making responsibilities. The NPC addresses the
major issues at national level while local people's congresses have
decision making responsibilities at their own administrative
levels.
Congresses discharge responsibilities concerning government
agencies at their own local or national level. These include
deciding on the selection, appointment and if necessary the
dismissal of those who lead or serve in such agencies. They perform
a supervisory role with respect to the work of other government
agencies. It is also their responsibility to ensure that the
Constitution and laws are enforced.
Each People's Congress is a representative body. The National
People's Congress (NPC) and local people's congresses are
established through democratic elections so that they can be both
responsible to and supervised by the people. People's congresses at
all levels keep in close touch with the population at large so that
they can actively reflect their opinions and be informed by their
collective wisdom. They proactively seek to represent the will and
the interests of the people in a very real and practical way.
