A foreign visitor's surprise at discovering a community legislative service center in Shanghai's Hongqiao subdistrict became a defining moment for Sheng Hong, a National People's Congress (NPC) deputy and local leader. The scene—showcasing policymakers embedded in neighborhood spaces—embodies what she calls China's “whole-process people's democracy,” a model Sheng has advanced through grassroots work for 14 years.
Speaking during this year's NPC session, Sheng emphasized that democracy extends beyond high-level policy debates. “It thrives in the daily actions of resolving disputes, listening to residents, and addressing local needs,” she explained, referencing her work in Hongqiao, a hub of international commerce and multicultural exchange.
The deputy described how her team collaborates with residents on issues ranging from public space management to cross-cultural mediation, reflecting the system's emphasis on citizen participation at every governance level. “This is democracy in motion—visible, practical, and rooted in people's lives,” she asserted.
Her account comes as China continues to promote its governance model, positioning community-level engagement as fundamental to national policymaking. Over 2.9 million local deputies now operate similar service centers nationwide, according to official figures.
