Three stories showcasing how China’s democracy works (2)

NPC deputy Wang Yan: “Bus offers me a channel for collecting public opinions”

Wang Yan attends a meeting during the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing. (Photo provided by Wang Yan)

About 100 kilometers away from Beijing, Tianjin bus driver Wang Yan is also taking part in the country’s decision-making process. Since becoming an NPC deputy three years ago, Wang has been submitting suggestions to the NPC at the two sessions every year.

When Wang first attended the Two Sessions in 2018, she put forward a suggestion on removing all expressway toll booths at provincial borders in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province. The suggestions were taken seriously by the Ministry of Transport. That June, she was invited by the Ministry to participate in a survey on the issue.

To her delight, her suggestion written on paper finally became a reality. By the end of 2019, China replaced 487 expressway toll booths at provincial borders with a non-stop electronic toll collection (ETC) system, aimed at enhancing the country’s traffic efficiency and reducing logistics costs.

“Many of my friends told me that after the expressway toll booths were removed, the problem of expressway traffic congestion had been significantly solved,” Wang told People’s Daily Online.

Every suggestion by an NPC deputy has a direct bearing on the implementation of the rule of law in the nation. Before being selected as an NPC deputy in 2018, Wang had never imagined that an ordinary bus driver like her could be given such a sacred duty.

In order to better perform her duties and live up to the trust of the people, Wang participated in a number of surveys and studies every year. When the COVID-19 epidemic raged in 2020, she took part in online learning.

Wang Yan, a bus driver in Tianjin, northern China. (Photo provided by Wang Yan)

During the two sessions over the past three years, Wang has put forward a total of 12 suggestions, all of which have been referred to the relevant government agencies or organizations for study, handling and a responsible answer.

“The central government attaches great importance to the suggestions submitted by us NPC deputies. Whether they are ultimately feasible or not, I always get a phone call or a written reply in a timely matter from the relevant organizations,” Wang said.

Statistics show that by late January, all 9,180 suggestions submitted by NPC deputies to last year's annual NPC session had been handled and provided with feedback. Various departments of the State Council, the country’s cabinet, adopted approximately 3,700 pieces of advice from NPC deputies and political advisors and subsequently introduced some 1,500 related policy measures.

Wang’s suggestions cover a wide variety of areas, such as transportation, elderly care and education, which are of great concern to ordinary Chinese people. As a bus driver, Wang makes the most of her job, listening to passengers’ opinions and keeping them in mind.

On several occasions, she heard from citizens that many people who wanted to donate their bodies were upset about the current complicated body donation system, as voluntary body donation in China means going through a series of procedures and requires consent from every direct relative of the donor. Last year, Wang suggested during the two sessions that the body donation process be simplified in order to encourage more people to donate their bodies.

In Wang’s eyes, the bus is a microcosm of society. “When I’m working, I can hear citizens talking about the changes in the city and the country as well as their inner voices,” said Wang.

During this year’s two sessions, Wang’s focus was on the development of public transportation. She suggested promoting electric buses and increasing the number of EV charging stations in order to promote green transport.

“I have two years left of my term as an NPC deputy, so I will make full use of my time to carry out my sacred duties,” said Wang, adding, “It’s my honor to make people’s voices heard.”