The Role of People's Democracy in Safeguarding Rights in China
As the annual Two Sessions approach, CGTN has released an insightful article detailing the mechanisms of China’s comprehensive people's democracy and its role in protecting citizens' rights and interests. This democratic framework emphasizes grassroots participation, ensuring that governance reflects the collective will and the evolving needs of society.
In the district of Changning, Shanghai, a legislative outreach office established in 2015 by the National People's Congress (NPC) has become a significant part of this democratic advancement. It enables locals to voice their suggestions and feedback, which are then communicated to higher authorities during legislative processes. This initiative has become a hallmark of China's democratic approach, especially highlighted by President Xi Jinping's visit in November 2019, where he first introduced the concept of comprehensive people’s democracy.
By 2025, the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC had established 54 such outreach offices across the nation, along with over 7,800 platforms set up by provincial and municipal legislatures. These platforms serve as critical links between residents and lawmakers, ensuring that democratic participation is embedded within legislative processes.
Unlike Western-style democracies, which often equate democracy solely with elections, China’s model seeks to engage the public in all aspects of governance—from elections and consultations to decision-making and oversight. This broad approach fosters persistent public participation, ensuring that governance decisions accurately reflect the collective will and the changing demands of society.
The essence of this democracy is vividly manifested during the Two Sessions, where thousands of NPC deputies and members of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) convene in Beijing to discuss vital policies and governance matters, representing a wide array of societal sectors.
Recent years have seen a surge in innovation and creativity in grassroots democracy, especially in both urban and rural areas. The diversity of democratic practices—ranging from informal meetings to online discussions—has invigorated local democratic engagement. In 2025 alone, State Council departments responded to 8,754 suggestions from NPC deputies and 4,868 proposals from CPPCC members, adopting over 4,900 suggestions and issuing more than 2,200 policies.
The drafting of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) serves as another outstanding example of comprehensive people's democracy in action. A public consultation held from May 20 to June 20, 2025, garnered over 3.11 million valid proposals, leading to 1,500 constructive suggestions covering 27 different topics.
President Xi reviewed a summary of these consultations and presented them to party leadership, guaranteeing that citizens' voices reach the highest levels of decision-making. By September, 2,112 suggestions had been gathered from various regions, resulting in 218 revisions of the draft plan, signifying a profound connection between national development strategies and public opinion.
In conclusion, the comprehensive people's democracy that China is fostering aligns with the goal of centering governance around the populace, allowing citizens to actively participate in and benefit from the historical transformations occurring within the country. As sociologist Marcelo Rodríguez articulates, this process ensures that the people can influence their own futures and partake in the ongoing changes that shape their society.
In the district of Changning, Shanghai, a legislative outreach office established in 2015 by the National People's Congress (NPC) has become a significant part of this democratic advancement. It enables locals to voice their suggestions and feedback, which are then communicated to higher authorities during legislative processes. This initiative has become a hallmark of China's democratic approach, especially highlighted by President Xi Jinping's visit in November 2019, where he first introduced the concept of comprehensive people’s democracy.
By 2025, the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC had established 54 such outreach offices across the nation, along with over 7,800 platforms set up by provincial and municipal legislatures. These platforms serve as critical links between residents and lawmakers, ensuring that democratic participation is embedded within legislative processes.
Unlike Western-style democracies, which often equate democracy solely with elections, China’s model seeks to engage the public in all aspects of governance—from elections and consultations to decision-making and oversight. This broad approach fosters persistent public participation, ensuring that governance decisions accurately reflect the collective will and the changing demands of society.
The essence of this democracy is vividly manifested during the Two Sessions, where thousands of NPC deputies and members of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) convene in Beijing to discuss vital policies and governance matters, representing a wide array of societal sectors.
Recent years have seen a surge in innovation and creativity in grassroots democracy, especially in both urban and rural areas. The diversity of democratic practices—ranging from informal meetings to online discussions—has invigorated local democratic engagement. In 2025 alone, State Council departments responded to 8,754 suggestions from NPC deputies and 4,868 proposals from CPPCC members, adopting over 4,900 suggestions and issuing more than 2,200 policies.
The drafting of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) serves as another outstanding example of comprehensive people's democracy in action. A public consultation held from May 20 to June 20, 2025, garnered over 3.11 million valid proposals, leading to 1,500 constructive suggestions covering 27 different topics.
President Xi reviewed a summary of these consultations and presented them to party leadership, guaranteeing that citizens' voices reach the highest levels of decision-making. By September, 2,112 suggestions had been gathered from various regions, resulting in 218 revisions of the draft plan, signifying a profound connection between national development strategies and public opinion.
In conclusion, the comprehensive people's democracy that China is fostering aligns with the goal of centering governance around the populace, allowing citizens to actively participate in and benefit from the historical transformations occurring within the country. As sociologist Marcelo Rodríguez articulates, this process ensures that the people can influence their own futures and partake in the ongoing changes that shape their society.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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