"In the past five years, we have implemented a string of new measures to enhance democracy in the legislation process," said Li Fei on March 11 during a public interview in the Great Hall of the People. Mr. Li serves as the deputy director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC).
Li Fei
"First of all," he said, "a great number of new measures have been taken to solicit public opinions. In the past, we relied mainly on the publicity of traditional media, like TV and newspaper, to announce draft laws. Today, through means of symposium, forum and web posts, we are capable of collecting more first-hand information beforehand. The official website of the NPC in particular gives us wider and quicker access to public opinions."
A case in point is the Labor Contract Law. Prior to the adoption, around 200,000 opinions were gathered. Of them, approximately 65 percent were from the grassroots level thanks to broad use of the Internet.
Legislative hearings also help to enhance democracy in legislative works, said Li Fei. China is home to some 1.3 billion people. Sometimes their legal appeals differ greatly from each other. Under such circumstances, public hearings become an efficient way to consult people from all walks of life. During the amendment of the Individual Income Tax Law, for instance, the Standing Committee of the NPC convened its first ever legislative hearing to determine a tax threshold acceptable to the majority of the people.