On April 26, foreign diplomats from 36 countries, including Mozambique, El Salvador and Seychelles, visited Nanmofang Township Legislative Liaison Station in Chaoyang District to experience firsthand Beijing’s development achievements and primary-level governance.

Visit the legislative liaison station

The Standing Committee of the People’s Congress of Chaoyang District is a local legislative liaison office of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) of China. Serving as a fast track to national legislation, it provides an effective channel, platform, and vehicle for the general public to make requests and offer their insights regarding legislative work.

The diplomats visited the Office of Deputies to the Nanmofang Township People’s Congress and Legislative Liaison Station in Chaoyang District, where they gained insights into the responsibilities of the Presidium of the Nanmofang Township People’s Congress, the system of deputies receiving voters, and the handling of suggestions and opinions from deputies. They also observed a consultation meeting on the Law on Deputies to the National People’s Congress and Local People’s Congresses and engaged in discussions with deputies.

Observe a legislative consultation meeting

After the introduction, the diplomats remained eager and raised several questions, including how to determine deputy quotas, how to elect deputies, who can propose suggestions for draft laws, whether foreign nationals are allowed to participate in China’s legislative work, and how deputies balance their duties with their primary occupations. They got detailed responses from deputies to the People’s Congresses at the township, district, municipal, and national levels.

Q&A session

“Today, we witnessed the practice of China’s whole-process people’s democracy and saw how deputies at all levels heed the voices of the people,” said Aldonov F. Alvarez, Ambassador of El Salvador to China. “China’s whole-process people’s democracy is a holistic system, supported by robust mechanisms and procedures, and fully implemented through wide participation. As a result, people’s aspirations are represented in every aspect of China’s political and social life, showcasing the vitality of Chinese democracy.”

Michael Campbell, Nicaragua’s Ambassador to China observed the opening meetings of China’s NPC and CPPCC sessions this year and described it as an eye-opening experience. “Today’s legislative consultation meeting has given me a deeper understanding of the concrete practice of the whole-process people’s democracy.” He emphasized that the suggestions and opinions reflecting people’s will and wisdom are meticulously recorded and communicated to higher levels, serving as a source of inspiration for national legislation. “This is an extraordinary system.”

Anne Lafortune, Seychelles Ambassador to China, expressed that although she had read through materials on China’s legislative procedures and the system of people’s congresses, she had never seen the primary-level practice up close. “I was impressed by today’s visit. I learned about various channels available for citizens to voice their opinions, such as through websites, WeChat official accounts, and phone calls, among others. This demonstrates the commitment of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government to ensuring that people’s voices are truly heard.”

Abu Bakarr Karim, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to China, expressed his admiration for the extensive representation and professionalism demonstrated by deputies of the People’s Congresses at all levels, as well as his willingness to further promote bilateral exchanges in governance experience.

(Based on information from Xinhua News Agency and Chaoyang District)