China’s ‘two sessions’ a chance to see another form of democracy in action
Delegates exit the Great Hall of the People in Beijing after a session of the National People's Congress. | AP
There is much concern, need I say “fear,” about the future of democracy in the United States. Critical components of our constitutional order, such as the separation of powers among the three branches, the growth of executive power, the role of the Supreme Court, as well as others, are becoming more distorted, seemingly every day. Some are saying that we are in a “constitutional crisis.”
If democracy is undermined in the United States, the birthplace of modern constitutional democracy, what does that say about the future of democracy around the world? That discussion is not within the purview of this article, other than to say that the fate of democracy among U.S. allies is well worth study.
One of the features of the modern world is the growth of political and economic power among the countries of the developing world, what is referred to as the “Global South.” Many of those countries are rejecting the Western, i.e. capitalist, mode of international economic relations and are building a new paradigm of development, while, at the same time, adopting different forms and styles of democracy.
Nowhere is that more true than in China. While most corporate media commentators and politicians in the United States say that China is an “authoritarian” government controlled completely by the so-called “Chinese Communist Party,” (whose correct name is the Communist Party of China), they are wrong.
The Chinese people, a country made up of 56 ethnic groups, are creating a socialist society and a new form of democracy. China’s president, Xi Jinping, has articulated what he calls “whole-process people’s democracy.” He noted that in some countries (read: the United States), “If the people are only engaged with to solicit votes and then are left in the dark, if they must listen to grandiose election slogans but have no voice when the elections are over, or if they are only treated well by candidates during elections and are ignored after, this is not true democracy.”
In the Chinese model, voting is only one component of the whole system, it “ensures the people’s rights to democratic elections, consultations, decision-making, management, and oversight.”
On the national level, the legislative function of government is composed of two parts: the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Consultative Conference (CPPCC). The meetings of the two bodies overlap in early March and are called “the two sessions.” They’ve just concluded.
China’s national legislature, the NPC, has 3,000 members. Among its deputies are members of the Communist Party, independents, and representatives from eight other political parties. It meets once a year and fulfills all the duties and responsibilities of such an assembly, which includes making laws, analyzing and approving the national economic plan for the year, and passing the budget. Similar bodies exist on the provincial, county, and municipal levels. When the NPC is not in session, its elected leadership, the Standing Committee carries out its functions.
At the same time, the CPPCC also meets. About 2,000 delegates come, made up of Communist Party members, those from other political parties, independents, others from people’s organizations, with representatives from all the ethnic groups, and from all sectors of society, including experts in a wide range of fields. Much like the deputies of the National People’s Congress, the National Committee of the CPPCC is the culmination of a process that begins at the local level.
There is no comparable body in the United States. The main functions of the CPPCC are “political consultation, democratic oversight, and participation in and deliberation of state affairs.” Its discussions cover virtually any issue across a galaxy of different concerns.
Liu Jieyi, the spokesperson for the CPPCC, outlined some of the work of the organization over the past year. Liu said the NPCC “has done a great deal of effective work in actively advising on a series of important economic issues and helping the economy rebound.”
There have been quarterly symposiums on analyzing the macroeconomic situation, conducted in-depth surveys, research, consultations and negotiations covering topics including economic system reform, digital trade and the marine economy, and has provided references and support for the relevant government departments in formulating and implementing policies.”
This year, among its myriad issues, the two bodies had additional deliberations. 2025 is the final year of the 14th Five-Year Plan, and as such, there is a need to evaluate the successes and failures of the plan, as well as lay the groundwork for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30).
“At this critical juncture for further deepening reform comprehensively,” the Global Times wrote in an editorial. “China’s two sessions bear the important task of building consensus and drawing up a blueprint. Amid the intensifying global geopolitical turmoil, China’s two sessions will contribute stability and governance wisdom to the world…. [T]hese governance practices reflect the unremitting pursuit of the most extensive, genuine and effective democracy.”
Each year, the “two sessions” draws attention from all corners of the world. Journalists from many developing countries come to Beijing to observe the deliberations. This year, more than 3,000 registered, including over 1,000 from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, and numerous foreign countries, including the United States.
As the “two sessions” met, it was more than just a current events news story; it was a learning opportunity. It is vitally important that the American people learn more about and understand the significance of these meetings. In today’s world, a better understanding of how China’s government and society functions is critical to better relations between our two countries and to world peace.
As with all op-eds published by People’s World, this article reflects the views of its author.
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CONTRIBUTOR
David Cavendish
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