Internet-based means are more and more frequently used by deputies to people’s congresses
and members of committees of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference
(CPPCC), China’s legislative and political advisory bodies.
The country’s local “two sessions”, the annual meetings of lawmakers and political advisors
at various levels, recently kicked off across the country, bringing to the spotlight all kinds of
applications of digital technologies that have brought new experiences and created new
platforms for deputies to local people’s congresses and members of the CPPCC local
committees in fulfilling their duties.
Thanks to an upgraded digital proposal system, Shanghai’s municipal-level political advisors
are able to get timely and accurate information about various industries and departments
conveniently via a data-based digital platform.
In east China’s Zhejiang province, provincial-level lawmakers can now learn about the status
of their proposals and suggestions in real time through an office automation app; and
members of the CPPCC Zhejiang provincial committee are able to obtain information about
government affairs, track the handling of proposals in real time, and later get feedback on
their work on an online platform.
The vigorous development of digital technologies in recent years has speeded up the
informatization of local “two sessions”.
In the past, people can only reach deputies to local people’s congresses via phone call or at
local legislators’ liaison stations. Now in Xihu district, Hangzhou city, Zhejiang province,
residents can chat with local legislators online via mobile phones.
Thirty-four members of the Hunan provincial committee of the CPPCC from Hong Kong and
Macao, who couldn’t attend this year’s session due to the COVID-19 pandemic, expressed
their opinions about helping Hunan integrate into the construction of the Guangdong-Hong
Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area online.
From digital proposals to deliberation of state affairs online and remote consultation, it is
evident that fulfilling duties via online means becomes increasingly prevalent among China’s
lawmakers and political advisors.
Digital and information technologies help lawmakers and political advisors better fulfill their
duties in accordance with the law and can comprehensively improve their competence.
Topics concerning people’s wellbeing attract the most attention from deputies to people’s
congresses and CPPCC members during this year’s local “two sessions”, whether online or
offline. The people’s congress of Shapingba district in southwest China’s Chongqing
municipality has leveraged both online and offline means and used mini-programs to expand
channels for seeking legislation advice from the public.
Yang Zhaoxia, a member of the Beijing municipal committee of the CPPCC, considers good
ideas from the people the “golden key” to her execution of duties. Her proposals for
transforming manhole covers on sidewalks which can easily cause pedestrians to sprain their
ankles and disposing abandoned bikes are both based on the suggestions from the people.
As new technologies and old traditions converge on discussions about people’s concerns,
difficulties and urgent needs, China’s people-centered development philosophy is passed on
by digital technologies and practiced through concrete endeavors.
Digital technologies have been brought into full play by China’s lawmakers and political
advisors in maintaining close ties with the people, listening to their voices and responding to
their expectations.
East China’s Shandong province launched a campaign to encourage residents from all walks
of life to make suggestions for the provincial government’s work under 22 topics, including
employment and entrepreneurship, education, and health. Media outlets of southwest China’s
Guizhou province have invited netizens to interact with deputies to people’s congresses and
CPPCC members online.
It’s believed in China that making the most of the Internet for the expression of people’s
views, ideas, worries and concerns and promoting communication between the people and
lawmakers and political advisors through both online and offline democratic channels so that
work benefiting the people can actually proceed and yield fruits is a major task of democratic
construction.
The efforts of various regions across China to leverage Internet-based means to seek people’s
advice during the local “two sessions” are the epitome of China’s socialist democracy that
covers all aspects of the democratic process and all sectors of society—a true democracy that
works.
China’s socialist democracy with Chinese characteristics is marching toward a brighter future
as the country continuously increases its lawmakers’ and political advisors’ competence and
the efficiency in their execution of duties via online means, integrates new technologies and
models into democratic and scientific decision-making, smoothens the channels for the people
to express their ideas, and forms a synergy for improving people’s well-being.
