Pragmatic and amiable, Wu Bangguo has kept a low profile, though he and the National People's Congress (NPC) he leads has frequently come to the spotlight for their outstanding legislation and supervision efforts.
"The NPC exercises the power collectively in accordance with the law. The chairman (of the NPC Standing Committee) enjoys the same power as the other deputies." These are the words Wu often says, largely to play down his role in the country's top legislature.
Nevertheless, he impressed the nearly 3,000 NPC deputies more than that, and was reelected chairman of the NPC Standing Committee on Saturday at the NPC's annual full session.
In March 2003, also on a Saturday, Wu was elected as China's top legislator to succeed Li Peng.
The NPC is sovereign in China as it is authorized by the Constitution to elect the country's top leadership, enact laws and supervise the cabinet, the supreme court and the supreme procuratorate. The NPC Standing Committee serves as its executive body when the NPC is out of its annual full session.
"The legislature exercises power on behalf of the entire people. To improve the NPC's work, we must adhere to the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), bear in mind that the people act as master of the country and stick to rule of law," Wu said, talking about his work as NPC Standing Committee chairman in the last five years.
The NPC maintains its authority because it does everything according to law, he stressed.
Quiet workhorse
Like other fellow lawmakers, Wu, known for his practical and low-key style, has worked hard quietly over the past five years.
However, the building of China's legal system was not that quiet and each step of progress had a bearing with the life of ordinary Chinese.
A total of 100 new or revised laws were adopted in China over the past five years, Wu said in a report to the NPC annual session.
The clauses that "the State respects and preserves human rights" and "the State, in accordance with the law, protects the rights of citizens to private property and to its inheritance" are for the first time enshrined in the amended Constitution, setting a milestone in China's constitutional history.
The landmark Anti-Secession Law, promulgated in 2005, provides a legal basis for the mainland's persistent stance to strive for peaceful reunification of the country and resolutely oppose and contain secessionist activities.
