As China's annual Two Sessions kick off in Beijing, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) demonstrates its pivotal role in shaping national policy through consultative democracy. Zhou Hanmin, a Standing Committee member of the CPPCC National Committee, exemplifies this process through his focus on economic reforms.
From Proposals to Policy
Zhou's 2024 proposals target foreign investment strategies and institutional stability to navigate global economic headwinds. \"Leveraging stable institutional advantages\" remains crucial amid uncertainty, he emphasized. Last year's proposals on free trade zones and cross-border data flows contributed to China's high-level opening-up framework.
A 99.9% Handling Rate
CPPCC Chairman Wang Huning reported that 99.9% of 5,091 submitted proposals received official responses since the last session. The advisory body's 6,019 total suggestions addressed key challenges ranging from population development to optimizing private sector support.
As part of China's whole-process people's democracy, CPPCC members represent political parties, ethnic groups, and various societal sectors. Their rigorously researched proposals undergo systematic review before informing policy decisions.
Charting the Next Five Years
With the 14th Five-Year Plan approaching its 2025 conclusion, CPPCC advisors will intensify research to shape recommendations for China's 2026-2030 development blueprint. Wang called for consolidated efforts to pool \"wisdom and strength\" for Chinese modernization during this critical transition period.
The ongoing CPPCC session – running through Monday – will review progress while engaging with the National People's Congress on major policy documents, including the government work report setting this year's economic priorities.
