Chinese people's voices are better heard and their concerns better addressed as the country's local legislation network has become extensively engaged and deeply entrenched in the grassroots over the years.
In the past few years, local legislative outreach offices have notably increased in number, enabling more people to conveniently express their expectations for future laws and offer relevant suggestions.
More legislative resources have been directed to formulate rules that meet people's desire for a better life, address common social concerns, and provide institutional support for local economic and social development.
In east China's Yiwu City, the country's vibrant light industrial commodity center, the local legislative outreach stations helped in soliciting more than 300 suggestions for draft economic laws, including Stamp Duty Law, Value Added Tax Law, and Customs Law. The participation rate of market operators in the Yiwu International Trade City reached 80 percent.
"If we have any good ideas, we will come to the legislative liaison station to communicate. The staff members will sort out our opinions and feedback to the grassroots legislative liaison office. It makes me feel that I have really participated in the process of democratic legislation," said Xu Xiaobao, a merchant.
Yiwu City has currently established 47 consultation units and 21 liaison stations, and hired 39 legislative consulting experts and more than 10,000 information collectors, reaching out extensively to various government departments, towns and villages.
"By participating in local legislation, more people can gain a better understanding of the law, realizing people's legislation and promoting people's use of the law," said Zhu Xiaoling, deputy director of the leading group of Lugang Group legislative outreach station in Yiwu.
Since the establishment of the first batch of local legislative outreach offices in 2015, there are a total of 45 local legislative outreach offices of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), with a total of more than 10,600 supporting establishments, and the work network covers a population of about 169 million people.
The legislative outreach offices now cover all 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities on the Chinese mainland.
The top legislature's move has inspired standing committees of provincial and municipal people's congresses to establish more than 7,300 legislative outreach offices at their respective levels, making it more convenient for the public to reach lawmakers and contribute their wisdom to legislation.
"As of July this year, we have solicited more than 30,500 opinions and ideas from local legislative outreach stations on 185 draft laws, legislative planning drafts, and filing review work, of which more than 3,300 have been adopted and incorporated by legislative research. As a legislative bridge connecting grassroots people and national legislative bodies, local legislative outreach stations are playing an increasingly prominent role in drawing on public opinions and pooling the wisdom of the people," said Shi Xiaolei, head of local grassroot legislative outreach office of the Legal Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee.
More voices heard, social concerns addressed in local legislation in China
More voices heard, social concerns addressed in local legislation in China
Various activities were held worldwide to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, which falls on Jan 29 this year.
Recently, the Chinese Consulate General in Niigata of Japan, in collaboration with the Gansu Provincial Song and Dance Theater, delivered a spectacular visual feast for the overseas Chinese and Japanese audiences in Sendai.
The performance, featuring the elements of Dunhuang culture and the history and culture of the Tang Dynasty, attracted about 2,000 spectators. Many Japanese people praised the colorful Chinese culture and expressed their hope to go to China to see with their own eyes and understand Chinese culture and traditional Chinese festivals such as the Spring Festival.
"It's the first time I've seen such a performance. It's so gorgeous. I'm really touched. This Spring Festival event is also an opportunity for Japan and China to further develop friendly relations. If there is any chance for a performance like this in the future, I would like to come and watch it. I also really want to travel to China now," said a Japanese audience member.
"Happy to know that cultural heritage like the Spring Festival was included on the Representative List of Human Intangible Cultural Heritage, I think it's great to be able to celebrate such a festival in Japan. I really hope everyone can take a look and learn about the Spring Festival," said another audience member.
"We want to invite performers from Gansu Provincial Song and Dance Theater to present Dunhuang-themed music and dance which is full of Silk Road cultural elements. This will allow local people to see the mutual learning between Chinese and Japanese civilizations," said Cui Weilei, Consul-General of China in Niigata.
Budapest's Chinatown was alive with energy on Saturday as the streets were filled with music, dance, and the aroma of traditional Chinese delicacies during a two-day Spring Festival celebration.
The "Happy Chinese New Year" Temple Fair brought together numerous visitors and performers to usher in the upcoming Year of the Snake. They enjoyed the magnificent dragon and lion dances, ethnic performances, sugar-figure blowing, calligraphy demonstrations, and the unique experience of wearing traditional attire Hanfu.
"We come here because we have a deep appreciation for Chinese culture and Chinese traditions, and a special interest in Chinese music. I think the most important part of Chinese culture is Chinese food because the best way to bring people from all over the world together is to sit around a table and eat together," said a resident in Budapest.
Colorful celebrations and Spring Festival receptions were also held at many Chinese embassies and consulates around the world.
By showcasing Spring Festival customs and intangible cultural heritage, these events allowed local communities to experience the festive vibes of the Spring Festival up close.
In Dubai, over 1,000 performers and artists from around the world came together to blend traditional Chinese culture with modern art through a rich variety of performances, drawing a large number of audience. The airing of the Spring Festival Gala promotional video by China Media Group also became a highlight of the evening.
A reception was held Wednesday evening in Cairo by the Chinese embassy in Egypt to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival.
Around 600 attendees including Zhang Tao, charge d'affaires of the Chinese embassy, Ahmed Shaheen, Egyptian assistant foreign minister for Asia-Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand affairs, representatives of the Egyptian government and people from all walks of life were gathered.
"On the occasion of the coming of the Spring Festival, I would like to send my sincerest wishes to dear Chinese friends," said Shaheen in a speech.
Celebrations ring in Chinese New Year worldwide