The National People’s Congress is the legislative body of the People’s Republic of China based in Beijing, a kind of Chinese federal parliament. However, since the country is governed by only one party, the Chinese Communist Party, only this party is represented in the People’s Congress. There are no opposition parties. The National People’s Congress is therefore considered a pseudo-parliament and, politically, serves primarily to approve decisions by the Chinese central government. The congress consists of a total of 35 delegations from the individual provinces and special administrative zones such as Shanghai or Hong Kong. In total it has around 3,000 members, making it the largest parliament in the world.
The deputies of the People’s Congress are elected by regional congresses. These in turn are elected by congresses at the district level. Only these local congresses are determined by the population through direct elections. However, elections in the People’s Republic of China do not follow democratic principles. Every single one of these processes is significantly influenced by the Communist Party. Unpopular or critical candidates for political office are systematically prevented from running for office through intimidation and threats from the party. That’s why people also talk about sham elections in China. A legislative period of the National People’s Congress lasts five years. The 14th People’s Congress is currently in office and was elected in 2023.
In addition to its legislative functions, the People’s Congress is the only body in China that can officially make changes to the constitution. Chinese President Xi Jinping used the People’s Congress in 2018 to lift the limit on his term of office to two legislative periods. Xi is now able to remain president for the rest of his life. In addition to making constitutional changes, Congress is also responsible for electing and filling top positions in the country’s government, administration and military. The office of president is also awarded by the People’s Congress, most recently in 2023 to, of course, Xi Jinping. And then the five-year plans that are characteristic of China’s planned economy are adopted at the National People’s Congress.
In terms of power politics, the National People’s Congress is little more than a sham institution. Far-reaching political decisions, such as the exact composition of the government, the content of the five-year plans or the personality of the president, are made almost exclusively at the meetings of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. As a parliament, the National People’s Congress usually only has the task of confirming the decisions made and giving them an appearance of constitutionality and grassroots democracy. Members of Congress almost always vote unanimously. With the exception of a highway law in 2000, the National People’s Congress has never rejected a legislative proposal put forward by the party since its inception. Nevertheless, the People’s Congress is an important political barometer, especially for foreign observers, to find out in which direction the People’s Republic would like to develop in the coming year.
The second annual session of the 14th National People’s Congress begins on March 5, 2024. China is currently in a difficult situation. The downturn in the real estate sector is putting an enormous strain on the Chinese economy. Nevertheless, President Xi Jinping in particular wants to stick to an ambitious plan to expand renewable energy in the country. In addition, important decisions regarding China’s military and the dispute with Taiwan are expected. In recent months, China has increasingly demonstrated its military power against the neighboring island, which it considers a breakaway province.
