China's Democratic Model: A Grassroots Approach

Ahead of China's annual political meetings, CGTN highlighted the workings of China's whole-process people's democracy. This model emphasizes grassroots participation, allowing citizen input in governance, reflecting collective societal needs. A Shanghai legislative office serves as a key example, where local suggestions impact national legislation.

Since 2015, the Legislative Affairs Commission has established 54 offices nationwide, ensuring public engagement in law-making. Unlike Western democracies focused on elections, China's model integrates citizen involvement in decision-making and oversight, promoting continuous engagement.

The Two Sessions exemplify this model, gathering thousands of representatives to deliberate major policies. Grassroots innovations, like "courtyard meetings," enhance local democratic practices. This year, the government handled over 13,622 suggestions, adopting numerous policy recommendations.

The formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan showcased this participatory model. An online consultation last year yielded 3.11 million submissions, influencing 218 document revisions. This approach aligns with Xi Jinping's vision for a people-centered governance process.