China News Service, Beijing, February 26th: The two sessions will kick off, and "China's system" will last forever

　　China News Service reporter Liang Xiaohui

　　As one of the most important forms of China's national governance, the annual National Two Sessions are about to begin, which will also provide an important window for the outside world to observe China's domestic and foreign affairs planning, national economy and people's livelihood.

Data map: Red flags fluttering in front of the Great Hall of the People.

　　Compared with previous years, this year's two sessions have a "time node" - 2024 is the 70th anniversary of the founding of the National People's Congress and the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Therefore, through this year’s National Two Sessions, people can further experience the enduring relevance of this unique “Chinese system.”

　　75 years ago, the First Plenary Session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference assumed the functions and powers of the National People's Congress and made comprehensive preparations for the birth of New China. It also marked the formal establishment of the CPPCC system.

Five years later, the first session of the First National People's Congress was held and the Constitution of the People's Republic of China was adopted. The People's Congress system, China's fundamental political system, was formally established.

　　According to the system design, the National People's Congress session is held in the first quarter of each year. Thousands of National People's Congress deputies from all over the country and all walks of life gather in Beijing to exercise state power on behalf of the people.

Relevant work includes reviewing work reports, reviewing national plans and national budgets, reviewing important draft laws, and deciding on the appointment and removal of important personnel.

　　The plenary session of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the National People's Congress are held at the same time every year. CPPCC members not only discuss CPPCC issues, but also attend the National People's Congress meetings to participate in discussions on relevant legal revisions, "one government and two chambers" work reports, etc.

　　The Two Sessions are a concentrated expression of the entire process of people's democracy in China.

Some observations summarize its characteristics as "'Two Sessions'-style democracy" and believe that such an institutional arrangement enables everyone to take responsibility and supervise government work, which has Chinese characteristics.

　　In the decades of changes, the Two Sessions have not remained static. Instead, they have been continuously developed, increasingly consolidated, and gradually improved in accordance with the development of the times and actual needs.

Especially since the reform and opening up, China has continued to promote the institutionalization, standardization and proceduralization of the two sessions, and its functions and roles in the national governance system have been continuously strengthened.

　　For example, during the National Two Sessions, a spokesperson system was established in order to meet and respond to external needs for the release of information from the Two Sessions.

At present, it has become a practice to hold a press conference before the annual National People's Congress session and the plenary session of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and to hold a series of press conferences during the sessions.

In recent years, on the basis of the "ministerial channel" of the National Two Sessions, the "representative channel" and "member channel" have emerged, allowing the outside world to better understand the operation of the unique "Chinese system" of the two sessions.

　　For another example, in order to improve the quality and efficiency of deliberations, during the two sessions of the National People's Congress in 2021, the National People's Congress's rules of procedure were revised to stipulate that the National People's Congress should arrange the meeting schedule reasonably when holding meetings.

The National Two Sessions that year were streamlined, but their functions were not reduced and their deliberative efficiency was improved.

During the National Two Sessions in 2023, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference established a new environmental resources sector to better advise on the construction of ecological civilization. This has become a major adjustment of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in the past 30 years.

　　The design of the system has been adjusted in response to changes in the current situation, but what remains unchanged is that the representative members perform their duties for the people and discuss national issues. This is also the original intention of the Two Sessions, the "China system".

Every year, representatives from all walks of life and from all walks of life express their opinions and speak freely in the "national conference room" of the National Two Sessions, helping relevant departments to build consensus and find the "optimal solution" to respond to the needs of the people.

　　Promoting Chinese-style modernization is the biggest political issue in China at present, and it must also be the most important issue in the two sessions of the country.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. It is also a critical year for achieving the goals and tasks of the "14th Five-Year Plan". At the same time, it is also facing complex environments, risks and challenges, which require extensive consensus building and united response.

In this context, how the National Two Sessions take advantage of the "China system" to plan and plan the meeting deserves attention.

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