The term of office of people?s congresses of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government and cities divided into districts is five years. That of counties, autonomous counties, cities not divided into districts, municipal districts, townships, ethnic townships and towns is three years.

Local people?s congresses at various levels ensure the observance and implementation of the Constitution and the law and the administrative rules and regulations in their respective administrative areas. According to the limits of their authority as prescribed by law, they adopt and issue resolutions and examine and approve plans for local economic and cultural development and for the development of public services.

Local people?s congresses at and above the county level shall examine and approve the plans for economic and social development and the budgets of their respective administrative areas and examine and approve the reports on their implementation. They have the power to alter or annul inappropriate decisions made by their own standing committees.

The people?s congresses of provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government, of cities which are capitals of the provinces or autonomous regions as well as large cites approved by the State Council have the right to adopt local regulations in light of their regional economic and cultural characteristics.

Local people?s congresses at and above the county level elect and have the power to recall presidents of the people?s courts and chief procurators of people?s procuratorates at the corresponding level.

The election or recall of chief procurators of people?s procurators of people?s procuratorates shall be reported to the chief procurators of the people?s procuratorates at the next higher level for submission to the standing committees of the people?s congresses at the corresponding level for approval.

(China.org.cn May 20, 2003)