China Annual Meeting Of Congress – Burning Issues – Free PDF Download

The NPC

• The National People’s Congress meets in full session for two weeks each year and votes on important pieces of legislation.
• NPC typically includes all of the senior officials in Chinese politics.
• Usually convenes in March
• The Congress votes on important pieces of legislation.

The Members

• With 2,980 members in 2018, it is the largest parliamentary body in the world.
• 5 year term for members
• Currently 13^th Congress (2008-2023) is in session
• Members are considered to be part-time legislators and are not paid.

Great Hall of people

The NPCSC

• The majority of the power of the NPC is exercised by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPCSC), which consists of about 175 legislators.
• Elite among the chosen elite.

An ‘Upper House ’

• CPPCC – The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference 2200 members
• The organisation consists of delegates from a range of political parties and organisations, as well as independent members.
• Consultative /advisory role
• No election, appointments are made.

What does the NPC do?

• Framing laws
• Political appointments
• Appointment of President
• Governments reports are tabled
• Annual Work report – reviews the past year.
• Defence budget announced.
• GDP Growth targets are announced

What’s the importance

• A window into China’s Political and economic decisions for future
• Political appointments
• Defence and security outlook of China
• The meeting “sets the tone” for the country’s macroeconomic policies.
• Rare media access into the workings of Chinese Govt.

2020 Congress

• Began on 22 May 2020
• Delayed due to COVID 19
• A signal to the world – Life is back to ‘normal’ in China
• Delegates have been made to take nucleic acid tests for the virus before being allowed to travel to Beijing
• Masks will be required, windows will be opened to improve ventilation

2020 Highlights

• ‘Victory’ against the Coronavirus
• NO GDP targets set
• No stimulus package announced
• Focus on stabilisation of employment and eradicating poverty.

Hong Kong

• New national security laws will be considered for Hong Kong.

A ‘toothless’ Tiger?

• Questions have always been raised about the ‘democratic’ nature of the congress.
• Most important decisions are already made and merely ‘announced ‘ during the congress
• Hardly any ‘consensus building’ takes place.
• NPC acts a forum for rubber-stamping party decisions.

Democracy Index Ranking

Criticism

• In past 2 decades, the NPC has taken a Little proactive role in few cases and rejected a some draft bills proposed by the government.
• Future??

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