Many public views incorporated into China's laws in past 5 years, NPC says

China has continuously incorporated public opinions into legislation, with the formulation of 35 laws and revision of 62 pieces over the past five years, an official from the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, said on Monday.

Since March 2021, Chinese lawmakers have also passed 34 legislative decisions, Song Rui, deputy secretary-general of the NPC Standing Committee, told a news conference on developing socialist democracy during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25).

"The legislative efforts have played a big role in improving the legal system urgently needed for the country's governance, meeting the demands of public life, and safeguarding the national security," he said.

He revealed that during the legislative process, the NPC and its standing committee extensively solicited opinions from various walks of life and received 1.19 million suggestions, many of which were incorporated in the laws.

While holding news conferences regularly to introduce legislative development and learn from ideas from people, he noted that the NPC Standing Committee has also established 54 outreach offices nationwide to collect opinions and suggestions from the public.

"These offices are like express rails, allowing the people to participate more in legislation and directly convey their ideas to the country's top legislative body," he said.

Additionally, lawmakers have strengthened the connection with the people through inspection tours and seminars, so as to better understand and resolve difficulties of the public, he said.

Furthermore, the NPC Standing Committee has set up digital platforms to help people voice and share their opinions, he added, emphasizing that the solicitation of public suggestions has reflected the implementation of the whole-process people's democracy and guarantee that the people are the masters of the country.