New Era, New Journey, New Great Undertaking | Developing whole-process people’s democracy and ensuring the people are masters of the country.

BEIJING, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) — Title: Developing Whole-Process People’s Democracy and Ensuring the People’s Role as Masters of the Country—An Observation on Local Efforts to Implement the Spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Building Socialist Democratic Politics

　　People’s democracy is the lifeblood of socialism and an essential component of building a modern socialist country in all respects.

　　General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out in the report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China that we must unswervingly follow the path of socialist political development with Chinese characteristics, uphold the organic unity of Party leadership, the people being masters of the country, and governance by law, and ensure the people’s status as masters of the country, fully reflecting the people’s will, safeguarding their rights and interests, and stimulating their creativity.

　　In recent days, Xinhua News Agency reporters on the ground have observed that, in their concrete efforts to practice whole-process people’s democracy and invigorate grassroots democracy, localities have been implementing the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, continuously consolidating and developing a vibrant, stable, and united political landscape, and effectively ensuring that the people are masters of the country.

　　Continuously improve the institutional framework for ensuring that the people are masters of the country.

　　In early winter, in the conference room of the Party-and-Community Activity Center in Minzhu Village, Ganzhao Temple Town, Linhe District, Bayannur City, Inner Mongolia, applause and hearty laughter rang out continuously. Zhang Sanming, a delegate to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the village Party branch secretary, had just returned home when he shared his experiences and insights with the villagers, jointly mapping out a blueprint for the village’s future development.

　　Grassroots democracy is an important manifestation of whole-process people’s democracy. In recent years, Democracy Village has employed the “five-person group” working method to mobilize villagers’ enthusiasm for participating in the management of village and community affairs, ensuring that all Party-related matters, administrative tasks, and financial accounts are made fully transparent and subject to public oversight throughout the entire process. What was once a one‑man show by the village leader has now evolved into a collective chorus involving Party members, cadres, and the general public.

　　“Only when the people are fully informed about both major and minor matters and actively participate can they develop the enthusiasm to jointly build, govern, and share,” Zhang Sanming said with great confidence. The report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has laid out plans for improving the grassroots democratic system. We must further translate our organizational and governance strengths into enhanced governance capacity and tangible results, ensuring that everyone moves forward more steadily and effectively on the path to common prosperity.

　　The system of people’s congresses is an important institutional platform for realizing whole-process people’s democracy in China. The report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China explicitly states that we will support and ensure that the people exercise state power through the people’s congresses, and that people’s congresses at all levels shall be elected through democratic procedures, accountable to the people, and subject to their oversight.

　　Compiling and consolidating materials, refining all arrangements… In recent days, staff members of the Jilin Provincial People’s Congress have been working intensively to prepare for the election of deputies to the 14th National People’s Congress.

　　In the eyes of Wang Yingdong, Director of the Election and Appointment Division of the Personnel and Representatives Election Committee of the Jilin Provincial People’s Congress, the work at hand is both honorable and sacred, carrying immense responsibility. He stated that this is not merely an election; it is also about enabling the people to personally experience, through democratic practice, the distinct advantages of socialist democracy with Chinese characteristics.

　　“Our electoral work will be carried out in strict accordance with the prescribed quotas and surplus ratios, the criteria and qualifications for candidates, the required composition of the delegation, and the scheduled timeline for selecting representatives,” said Wang Yingdong. He added that whole-process people’s democracy will be reflected throughout the preparation, conduct, and outcomes of the election, ensuring that the leadership transition proceeds lawfully and in an orderly manner, with integrity and transparency, and that the results win the satisfaction of both the Party and the people.

　　When issues arise, they are discussed; matters that concern the people should be decided by the people themselves—this is the very essence of people’s democracy.

　　Members of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, representatives of government departments, property management officials, and others convened on the Guangzhou Municipal CPPCC’s “Let’s Talk It Over” platform for addressing matters of public concern to deliberate on strengthening the management of construction and renovation waste. (Photo taken on November 19, 2021.) Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Zhuang Xiaolong)

　　In the Kaifengdao Community of Xiaobailou Subdistrict, Heping District, Tianjin, residents are finally no longer plagued by standing water on the streets. After the Tianjin Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference received residents’ concerns through its community liaison station, it convened multiple consultative meetings with several government departments, jointly resolving this long-standing and persistent issue.

　　In recent years, the Tianjin Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference has established a Center for CPPCC Members’ Duties, sector‑specific activity stations, and community liaison offices, thereby diversifying consultation mechanisms and expanding channels for fulfilling duties, making the CPPCC feel closer to the people and ensuring that members are readily accessible.

　　“We will continue to ensure the orderly and efficient operation of the ‘One Center, Two Stations’ system, creating better conditions for members to perform their duties around the clock, further bridging the ‘last mile’ in connecting members with the public, promoting effective coordination between CPPCC-level consultations and grassroots-level deliberations, and leveraging the role of the CPPCC as a specialized consultative body in grassroots governance,” said an official from the Tianjin Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

　　The broadest, most genuine, and most effective form of democracy

　　Democracy is not a decorative item or a mere ornament; it is meant to address the issues that the people seek to resolve.

　　In early November, the enforcement inspection team of the Standing Committee of the Hefei Municipal People’s Congress in Anhui Province visited Dongyang Town in Chaohu City to conduct an inspection on the implementation of the Law on Promoting Rural Revitalization. Issues such as a shortage of agricultural science and technology talent and tight availability of land for facility agriculture were carefully documented by the inspection team, which then compiled an enforcement inspection report. Following deliberation at a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Municipal People’s Congress, a written opinion was adopted and forwarded to the relevant government departments for action and follow-up.

　　In its oversight work, it addresses public concerns; in its legislative work, it broadly incorporates public input. As a grassroots legislative liaison point established by the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the Standing Committee of the Hefei Municipal People’s Congress has, since July 2021, completed the solicitation of opinions on more than ten draft laws, with dozens of suggestions incorporated into the statutory text.

　　“Good democracy must be truly effective,” said Ling Haiqun, Director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the Hefei Municipal People’s Congress. “We will continue to uphold the principle of soliciting public input before legislation, seeking advice during the legislative process, assessing outcomes after enactment, and building public trust through oversight of implementation, thereby ensuring good governance through sound laws.”

　　Consultative democracy is an important form of practicing whole-process people’s democracy. “Upholding and improving the system of multi‑party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and ensuring the organic integration of Party leadership, the United Front, and consultative democracy” — this is the clear requirement set forth in the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC.

　　A consultation symposium on the draft amendment to the Sports Law of the People’s Republic of China was held at the grassroots legislative liaison station in Hongqiao Subdistrict, Shanghai (photo taken on November 26, 2021). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Liu Ying.

　　In the heart of Wuliang Mountain in Pu’er, Yunnan, tea gardens stretch out in rolling hills.

　　In late October, the Yunnan Provincial Committees of the China Democratic League and the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party formed a joint research team that conducted in-depth field investigations in Jingdong County, Zhenyuan County, and other areas of Pu’er City, with several recommendations receiving positive responses from the relevant authorities.

　　“The report of the 20th National Congress has provided fundamental guidance and charted the course forward for the democratic parties to further enhance their work in participating in state affairs and offering policy advice,” said Cheng Benwen, Director of the Department of Participating in State Affairs and Policy Advice of the Yunnan Provincial Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy. “We will focus on key and difficult issues in the pursuit of high-quality economic and social development, conduct targeted research, offer candid advice, propose sound strategies, and implement practical measures, thereby continuously elevating the quality of consultative democracy.”

　　One vivid democratic practice after another continues to inject fresh momentum into whole-process people’s democracy.

　　After the start of the autumn semester this year, about 30,000 primary school students in Deqing County, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, have switched from “lying face-down” to “lying flat” during their lunch breaks.

　　Students at the Tonghang Campus of the Central Primary School in Leidian Town, Deqing County, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, use foldable desks and chairs during their lunch break (photo taken on June 16, 2022). Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Xie Shangguo)

　　“Face-down” naps at lunchtime can easily lead to eye pressure, numbness in the arms, and other issues, leaving both students and parents eager for an early improvement in nap conditions. At this year’s first session of the 17th Deqing County People’s Congress, a vote was held in accordance with the law, explicitly resolving to address this problem. Soon after, students were provided with foldable desks and chairs, along with nap mats.

　　In the Deliberation Park of Longxi Village, Lüshan Township, Changxing County, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, members of the Rural Deliberation Council held discussions and consultations (photo taken on July 21, 2022). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xu Yu.

　　Today, the system of people’s congress deputies voting to approve livelihood‑related projects has been fully implemented across all counties, cities, and townships in Zhejiang Province, shifting the focus of such initiatives from “decided on behalf of the people” to “decided by the people.” Chen Jian, Party Secretary and Director of the Standing Committee of the Deqing County People’s Congress, stated that, as a direct practitioner of grassroots democracy, they will continue to explore broader, more comprehensive, and more robust practices of whole‑process people’s democracy, ensuring that people’s democracy truly transforms from a set of values into an institutional framework, a governance mechanism, and a way of life deeply rooted in Chinese soil.

　　In Xinghuo Village, Donglin Town, Wuxing District, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, local deputies to the People’s Congress and village representatives conducted oversight and inspection of the construction progress of the Xinghuo Village Farmers’ New‑Village project (photo taken on June 2, 2021). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xu Yu.

　　Harness the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of the people.

　　Under the warm winter sun, the People’s Congress Deputies’ Liaison Station in Xiashazhuang Village, Xiashazhuang Township, Xiaoyi City, Shanxi Province, was filled with deputies, village representatives, village officials, and local residents from this village and neighboring communities. Together with the relevant leaders of Xiaoyi City who had come for a symposium, they sat around in a circle, engaging in conversation that lasted two to three hours.

　　“We’ve gathered the people’s concerns and brought them to the attention of city leaders. This year, we’ve resolved a number of longstanding issues in the village, including heating and road repairs—and one long‑abandoned dead‑end road that had been left unfinished for more than four years has finally been completed,” said Song Mingsheng, a deputy to the Xiyi Municipal People’s Congress and deputy secretary of the Xiaza Village Party Branch.

　　“When leading cadres sit on the same bench as ordinary citizens, they can better understand what people are thinking and feeling, and listen to their views and suggestions on the work of the Party and the government,” said Zhao Liang, Director of the Representatives’ Liaison Committee of the Standing Committee of the Xiyi Municipal People’s Congress. “We must continue to explore grassroots democratic practices that ensure there is someone to speak up when issues arise, someone to listen when concerns are raised, and a dedicated channel for resolving problems, so that the people can more effectively exercise their democratic rights and manage their own affairs in accordance with the law.”

　　Uphold democracy, draw on the wisdom of the people, and unite as a powerful force for solidarity and progress.

　　In the call center of the 12345 Citizen Hotline in Yizhuang, Beijing, staff members answer hotline calls (photo taken on November 13, 2019). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Peng Ziyang.

　　Immediately after the conclusion of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, staff from the Fengqiao Lake Subdistrict in Yueyanglou District, Yueyang City, Hunan Province, visited the Guoshui New Village residential community to once again gather residents’ views on the renovation of older neighborhoods.

　　Guoshui Xincun residential community has a large population of elderly residents and young children, yet its buildings lack elevators, and there are no nearby recreational or sports facilities. In response, the local authorities have pioneered a “Qunying Duan Fei Shi” model, encouraging residents to voice their views fully, conduct open deliberations, and make democratic decisions—resolving many of the challenges associated with community renovation.

　　“The report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China calls for ‘improving the institutional and operational framework of grassroots direct democracy.’ We will more effectively leverage the leading role of grassroots Party organizations and better address the challenges of grassroots governance,” said Peng Xianhui, Deputy District Mayor of Yueyanglou District.

　　Residents’ representatives from the Yongquan Community in Yonglian Village, Zhangjiagang City, Jiangsu Province, deliberate on community environmental improvement at the village assembly hall (photographed on June 19, 2020). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Yang Lei.

　　The hearts and minds of the people are the most important form of politics, and the united front is a powerful tool for rallying public support and pooling strength.

　　As you enter Daze Town in Xinhui District, Jiangmen City, Guangdong Province, the “Concentric Circles” workstations—set up at the town’s Party-and-Community Service Center and within industrial parks—immediately catch the eye.

　　Regularly organizing “Benefiting Overseas Chinese, Supporting Enterprises” initiatives to understand businesses’ needs and provide assistance; hosting exchanges and networking events to help overseas youth learn about their hometowns… In recent years, the “同心圆” Workstation has tailored a series of measures to local conditions, bringing people’s hearts closer to the motherland.

　　“The united front is born of unity and thrives on it. The report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China explicitly calls for ‘strengthening and improving work related to overseas Chinese affairs.’ As united‑front workers hailing from a hometown of overseas Chinese, we bear a solemn mission,” said Han Zhiyong, Executive Deputy Minister of the United Front Work Department of the Jiangmen Municipal Party Committee. He added that Jiangmen will deepen pilot reforms to facilitate investment by overseas Chinese and Chinese nationals abroad, refine mechanisms for safeguarding their rights and interests, and better unite their hearts, pool their wisdom, and harness their strengths, thereby forging a powerful force dedicated to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

　　Video Reporters: Wang Hongliu, Ma Zhiyi, Li Shuai, Zhang Mengjie, Li Haiwei

　　Poster Design: Yin Zherun