The Chinese National Congress meets every five years. According to the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China (adopted in 1982), the National People’s Congress (NPC) is “the highest organ of state power in the People’s Republic of China.” This means that the NPC is authorized to make important changes in the Chinese political system and can pass amendments to the constitution. The NPC is composed of representatives elected by provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities and representatives of the armed forces.
The NPC convenes once every five years, usually at the end of March or the beginning of April, and is the highest-level event of the Chinese government. It is in charge of electing the President and Vice President and appointing members to the State Council and the Supervisory Committee. Additionally, the NPC has the authority to select a number of other individuals for promotion to high-level posts. During the five-year period between sessions, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress is responsible for legislative tasks and supervising government activities.
At each session of the NPC, the Chinese government outlines its Five Year Plan and looks back at the accomplishments of the previous five-year period. During this time, the NPC will also appoint or dismiss members of the State Council, the Central Military Commission, and other key committees and positions. In addition, the NPC also has the power to approve or reject all constitutional amendments proposed by the Central Government, including those related to human rights, freedoms, and economic and social policy.
In recent years, the NPC has become increasingly important as a source of public opinion. As part of the globalization of China’s economy, the NPC has become an arena for the further integration of China with the world economy. The NPC provides a forum for exchanging ideas, voicing opinions, and debating issues of social and political importance.
The NPC is open to the public and media coverage, and officials are usually available to answer questions from journalists and citizens. Meetings are generally televised and publicized in the media. Every five years, the NPC holds elections to elect delegates who then attend the full session of the NPC. These delegates represent the People’s Congress at local, provincial and national levels.
The Chinese National Congress is an important part of the China’s political system, providing representation and a platform for discussion of important issues and policies. The sessions of the People’s Congress held every five years are significant occasions for celebration and further development of democratic institutions in China.