3. We supported and ensured deputies’ performance of their duties in accordance with the law.

We encouraged local people’s congresses to open up more channels for deputies to maintain contact with the people, put forth guidelines on promoting close ties between deputies and the people through online platforms, improved the system for deputies to maintain contact with the people, and supported deputies in fully giving expression to public sentiment and opinions from the community level.

We organized research on special topics in which more than 1,900 NPC deputies, 65% of all deputies to the NPC, participated and produced 117 reports. These activities laid an important foundation for deputies to perform their duties in accordance with the law. We diligently organized study and training activities for deputies and held four study sessions for NPC deputies, where nearly 1,000 deputies engaged in study and discussion, thereby enhancing the ability of deputies to perform their duties in accordance with the law. 

VI. We strengthened contact with local people’s congresses and worked together with them to improve and develop the work of people’s congresses.

Properly carrying out the work of people’s congresses under the new conditions requires the joint effort of the NPC and local people’s congresses. In recent years, the Standing Committee has laid stress on maintaining closer working relations with local people’s congresses, strengthening work coordination, and developing work exchanges, and has been able to achieve fresh progress in building up synergy in the whole system.

1. We conducted research on the work and development of people’s congresses at county and township levels.

The Standing Committee made it an important task to conduct research on the work of local people’s congresses and to improve and advance their work. In line with the principle of improving oneself by reviewing and learning from past experiences, we conducted research on the work and development of county- and township-level people’s congresses.

Study groups led by members of the Chairperson’s Council visited county- and township-level people’s congresses to obtain hands-on information about their work and development and discussed with them new ideas and good approaches for improving their work. The working bodies of the Standing Committee formed seven teams to conduct research on the work and development of county- and township-level people’s congresses in 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government, which then produced a number of valuable reports. The China Society for Theoretical Research on the System of People’s Congresses also organized relevant seminars, and contributed comments and suggestions in this regard.

On the basis of these studies, we are planning to draw up guiding documents to help strengthen the work and development of people’s congresses at county and township levels and to revise and improve relevant laws in due course.