The National People’s Congress
The National People’s Congress (NPC) was formed in 1954 as the highest administrative body under the Chinese Constitution. Known during the height of Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution as a “rubber stamp” legislature, it has since become more established in the role of legislative and policy agenda setting for the People’s Republic of China. The Party Congress has convened regularly on an annual basis since 1978. The NPC largely serves to affirm the guiding ideology and platform of the Party leadership.
The NPC’s primary responsibilities include amending the Constitution, enacting legislation, electing the president and vice president, confirming the president’s nominee for State Council Premier, electing government officials, electing the head of the judicial branch, determine whether to go to war, manage the state budget, and establish special administrative regions throughout the country.
The NPC has six permanent committees to focus on various areas of law. Comprised of 3,000 delegates, the NPC meets annually. Each delegate is allowed to serve for 5-year terms through provincial and People’s Liberation Army (PLA) elections. The NPC elects members to its permanent body, the Standing Committee, which presides over NPC meetings and sets the policy agenda. Although the 2000 Legislation Law allows outside counsel in drafting legislation, the public itself is largely excluded from the NPC’s internal workings.
In 2013, a major leadership transition occurred on the 18th National Congress of the Community Party. Various factions competed for positions in light of recent public corruption scandals. Xi Jinping was named President, Party General Secretary, and Chairman of the Military Commission, with Hu Jintao stepping down from the top leadership post. The Party Congress also amended the Constitution establishing a call for “scientific development” and affirming the success and continued commitment to the “path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.”
Sources:
O'Brien, Kevin J. . Reform Without Liberalization: China's National People's Congress and the Politics of Institutional Change. 1st ed. Cambridge University Press, 2008. Print.
United States . Congressional-Executive Commission on China. China's State Organizational Structure.