Understanding China's People's Democracy: A Model for Rights Protection and Governance

As China prepares for its significant political meetings known as the Two Sessions, an insightful article by CGTN has dissected the workings of the nation's whole-process people's democracy. This democratic structure, particularly at the grassroots level, is pivotal for ensuring that the voices of the populace are effectively integrated into legislation and governance, which in turn safeguards their rights and interests.

The Role of Legislative Outreach Offices

A landmark establishment in this process is a legislative outreach office situated in Shanghai's Changning District. Founded in 2015 under the auspices of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), this office serves as a critical conduit between residents and their legislators. By allowing residents to propose suggestions and provide feedback on legislative matters, this initiative enables local voices to reach higher levels of government, further enriching the legislative process.

This specific outreach office has gained recognition since a visit from President Xi Jinping in November 2019, during which he articulated the concept of whole-process people's democracy for the first time. As of 2025, a total of 54 outreach offices have been set up across the country, complemented by over 7,800 additional offices initiated by provincial and municipal legislatures. These offices are vital in embedding democratic participation within the legislative framework, ensuring that governance is not just top-down but involves community engagement.

A Distinct Approach to Democracy

While many Western democracies focus primarily on electoral processes, China's approach encompasses extensive public involvement throughout various stages of governance. This includes aspects like decision-making, implementation, and oversight. The annual Two Sessions highlight this democratic practice on a grand scale, bringing together thousands of NPC deputies and members from the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) to discuss pressing policy issues.

This integration of grassroots democracy has fostered innovative practices across different regions, maintaining a dynamic engagement from citizens. From informal “courtyard meetings” to organized “roundtable discussions,” these diverse engagement strategies reflect the unique needs and characteristics of local communities. The participation they inspire has led to significant movement in democratic evolution at the local level.

Impact on Governance

The significance of this broad involvement is reflected in statistics from 2025, where the State Council processed 8,754 suggestions from NPC deputies and 4,868 proposals from CPPCC members, demonstrating the proactive participation of civil society in governance. Over 95% of these contributions were acknowledged and actioned upon, leading to the implementation of more than 2,200 policies.

An exemplary case illustrating this democratic process is the creation of China's 15th Five-Year Plan for the period of 2026–2030. This planning phase involved widespread public consultations to harvest viewpoints, thus securing over 3.11 million valid submissions from citizens, resulting in more than 1,500 constructive suggestions. The collaborative efforts saw 218 revisions made to the draft outline, exemplifying how national strategies can resonate with the public's aspirations.

Conclusion

China’s whole-process people's democracy is aimed at prioritizing its citizens, facilitating their active involvement in governance, and ensuring that they feel like integral players in their nation's transformative journey. As Argentine sociologist Marcelo Rodriguez suggests, the system empowers people, solidifying their role as major contributors in a historical transition, reinforcing their stake in the advances and changes shaping contemporary China. This model underscores the essence of democracy as a continuous engagement rather than a periodic event, embodying a diverse and participatory governance style.

For more information, visit CGTN.