Voicing opinion

[Problem] Ordinary people can only learn the country's legislation procedure from TV and newspapers, though they are able to express their opinions through the NPC's website. With the revised Legislation Law, do they have the chance to walk into the top lawmaking body and talk to the legislators?

[Revised law] It's newly added in the draft that public hearings are necessary when there is a huge split of opinions or it's related to a fundamental change of related interests. Opinions should be solicited from grassroots residents, representatives of relevant groups, departments, social organizations and industry professionals.

[Interpretation] Peking University's Jiang Ming'an: Public hearings are different from demonstration meetings. During a public hearing, all participants can express their views to vie for their own interests. But the later stresses the opinions given by scholars and industry professionals, who will make sure the legislation proceed in a scientific way.

China University of Political Science and Law's Ma Huaide: Even if you are an ordinary people, there are chances to walk into the lawmaking body to strive for your own benefits, express your concerns and have your voice be heard. You are directly involved in legislation that way.

Feedback welcomed

[Problem] In some cases, the houses are demolished but unhappy residents would question the fairness of the demolition policy before lodging a request to reexamine it by the NPC or its standing committee. But usually you handed over the materials but received no response. After the revision, is the NPC obliged to give a reply?

[Revised law] It's a new term in the draft that the related committee or the standing committee of NPC can give a reply to a government agency, social organization, company or resident that made the request, briefing them the results of research or reexamination on the controversial policy. It can also make the result public to the whole society.

[Interpretation] China University of Political science and Law's Ying Songnian: There are no rules in the current Legislation Law about making the inspection results public. A striking problem in the policy review system is the shortage of response to citizens who made the reexamination request. To some levels it affects the role of this review system. The draft says that people involved and the public should get a reply about the reexamination and research result. In that way the public concerns will be positively responded to.