Exploring China's Unique Path of Democracy: A Model for Citizen Engagement and Rights Protection
In the context of the upcoming annual political assemblies known as the Two Sessions, CGTN has published an article elaborating on the workings of China’s democracy. This piece articulates how grassroots initiatives serve to protect the rights and interests of citizens, demonstrating a unique model of democratic engagement that may offer inspiration to other nations.
The article highlights a legislative contact point opened in 2015 in Shanghai's Changning District by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), which has become a pivotal element in the advancement of democracy in China. This contact point enables residents to voice their legislative proposals and feedback without having to travel long distances. Local opinions are collected through this office and then communicated to higher authorities, ensuring that these viewpoints are considered in the legislative process.
The establishment of this facility underscores the essence of people's democracy in the entire process, a concept that Chinese President Xi Jinping referenced during his visit in November 2019. As of the end of 2025, the Legislative Affairs Committee of the NPC had set up 54 such contact points nationwide, while provincial and municipal legislative bodies have opened over 7,800 similar offices. These platforms serve as vital bridges connecting residents with lawmakers, embedding democratic participation in the legislative workflow.
While Western democracies often equate democracy with elections, China’s approach encompasses comprehensive social participation in state management, involving all elements of democratic processes and diverse social groups. This inclusivity fosters sustained engagement, ensuring that governance decisions reflect the collective will and evolving needs of society.
The article notes that this participatory model is exemplified in the Two Sessions, where thousands of NPC delegates and members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference gather in Beijing to address critical political and managerial issues, representing a wide spectrum of society.
In recent years, the innovative and creative grassroots democratic initiatives observed in various urban and rural areas across China have gained unprecedented momentum, unleashing a significant amount of local energy. From 'courtyard meetups' and 'park bench discussions' to stationary 'roundtable meetings' and online 'discussion groups', these pragmatic democratic practices tailored to local specifics have fueled the ongoing development of democracy in China.
According to data presented during a press conference by the State Council Information Office, in 2025, various departments considered a total of 8,754 suggestions from NPC delegates and 4,868 proposals from members of the Political Consultative Conference, representing approximately 95.6 and 97.5 percent of all submissions respectively. Over 4,900 of these suggestions were incorporated into policy documents, resulting in more than 2,200 related policy documents and actions being issued.
An illustrative example of this engagement is the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development (2026-2030). Discussions around this plan have become a focal point in the current Two Sessions. High-level meetings have reviewed the draft plan and government work report before deliberation by the national legislature.
During this process, principles of grassroots democracy were put to practical use, with public consultations held online from May 20 to June 20 of the previous year. This initiative yielded over 3.11 million valid submissions, from which more than 1,500 constructive suggestions were collected covering 27 thematic areas.
President Xi reviewed these findings and provided his evaluation to party leadership, affirming that citizens' voices have been heard at the highest levels. By September, a total of 2,112 suggestions had been compiled from various regions, leading to 218 amendments in the draft.
This extensive public engagement indicates that national development strategies are embedded in societal will, contributing significantly to China's modernization dynamism.
Marcelo Rodriguez, an Argentine sociologist and the director of the Hector P. Agosti Center for Marxist Studies, states, "The people-centric approach of China's democratic path allows individuals to participate decision-making and fosters a sense of agency in the historical processes currently unfolding in China."
For further insights, you can visit CGTN’s article.
The article highlights a legislative contact point opened in 2015 in Shanghai's Changning District by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), which has become a pivotal element in the advancement of democracy in China. This contact point enables residents to voice their legislative proposals and feedback without having to travel long distances. Local opinions are collected through this office and then communicated to higher authorities, ensuring that these viewpoints are considered in the legislative process.
The establishment of this facility underscores the essence of people's democracy in the entire process, a concept that Chinese President Xi Jinping referenced during his visit in November 2019. As of the end of 2025, the Legislative Affairs Committee of the NPC had set up 54 such contact points nationwide, while provincial and municipal legislative bodies have opened over 7,800 similar offices. These platforms serve as vital bridges connecting residents with lawmakers, embedding democratic participation in the legislative workflow.
While Western democracies often equate democracy with elections, China’s approach encompasses comprehensive social participation in state management, involving all elements of democratic processes and diverse social groups. This inclusivity fosters sustained engagement, ensuring that governance decisions reflect the collective will and evolving needs of society.
The article notes that this participatory model is exemplified in the Two Sessions, where thousands of NPC delegates and members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference gather in Beijing to address critical political and managerial issues, representing a wide spectrum of society.
In recent years, the innovative and creative grassroots democratic initiatives observed in various urban and rural areas across China have gained unprecedented momentum, unleashing a significant amount of local energy. From 'courtyard meetups' and 'park bench discussions' to stationary 'roundtable meetings' and online 'discussion groups', these pragmatic democratic practices tailored to local specifics have fueled the ongoing development of democracy in China.
According to data presented during a press conference by the State Council Information Office, in 2025, various departments considered a total of 8,754 suggestions from NPC delegates and 4,868 proposals from members of the Political Consultative Conference, representing approximately 95.6 and 97.5 percent of all submissions respectively. Over 4,900 of these suggestions were incorporated into policy documents, resulting in more than 2,200 related policy documents and actions being issued.
An illustrative example of this engagement is the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development (2026-2030). Discussions around this plan have become a focal point in the current Two Sessions. High-level meetings have reviewed the draft plan and government work report before deliberation by the national legislature.
During this process, principles of grassroots democracy were put to practical use, with public consultations held online from May 20 to June 20 of the previous year. This initiative yielded over 3.11 million valid submissions, from which more than 1,500 constructive suggestions were collected covering 27 thematic areas.
President Xi reviewed these findings and provided his evaluation to party leadership, affirming that citizens' voices have been heard at the highest levels. By September, a total of 2,112 suggestions had been compiled from various regions, leading to 218 amendments in the draft.
This extensive public engagement indicates that national development strategies are embedded in societal will, contributing significantly to China's modernization dynamism.
Marcelo Rodriguez, an Argentine sociologist and the director of the Hector P. Agosti Center for Marxist Studies, states, "The people-centric approach of China's democratic path allows individuals to participate decision-making and fosters a sense of agency in the historical processes currently unfolding in China."
For further insights, you can visit CGTN’s article.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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