The National People’s Congress (NPC): What Does China’s Parliament Called?
The Chinese government is the world’s longest-running and one of the most influential government running. It is constituted of the National People’s Congress (NPC) which is its highest form of legislative organ. In this article, we will be taking an in-depth look at what does China’s parliament called and how it works.
What is the National People’s Congress?
The National People’s Congress (NPC) is the supreme organ of the People’s Republic of China and the highest form of power in the Chinese government. It is an important organization for national political governance and rule-making. It is in effect the “legislative body” of China, or what the rest of the world calls the parliament.
History of the National People’s Congress
The Chinese State Council has existed in some form since the Zhou Dynasty, which began in 1045 BC. Its predecessor, the Grand Council, is considered the origin of modern Chinese parliament. It was only in 1954 that the National People’s Congress was established as the supreme organ of state power and the highest form of legislative organ of the People’s Republic of China.
Composition and Organization of the National People’s Congress
The NPC is made up of five main organs: the Standing Committee, the General Assembly, the Work Committee, the Foreign Affairs Committee, and the Organization Committee. These organs are committed to specific tasks and are responsible for executing the decisions made by the NPC. In addition, the NPC also consists of a Political Consultative Conference (CPCC) which is an ad hoc body that provides advice and feedback on policy issues.
The Standing Committee is the highest body of the NPC and is composed of 139 members. It is the highest decision-making organ and is responsible for proposing and implementing laws. The General Assembly is the main legislative body and includes more than 2,900 delegates. The Work Committee is the operational body of the NPC and is responsible for implementing the decisions and policies of the Standing Committee. The Foreign Affairs Committee is responsible for international affairs and diplomacy and is composed of 18 members. The Organization Committee is responsible for organizing the meetings, activities and operations of the NPC.
Powers and Responsibilities of the National People’s Congress
The powers and responsibilities of the Chinese parliament include amending the Constitution, enacting and amending laws, approving a national budget, managing state finances, approving diplomatic appointments, and proposing the removal of a President or Vice President. The NPC is also responsible for the supervision of the actions of the government and the enforcement of the Constitution and laws.
In addition, the NPC can establish special committees or agencies to fulfill specific tasks. For example, the NPC formed a special party, the All-China Women’s Federation, in 1954 to cope with the needs of women and children.
Processes Involved with the National People’s Congress
The NPC typically convenes in an meetings every five years for the purpose of making laws, electing the President and Vice President of the People’s Republic of China, amending the Constitution and other important decisions. The NPC Standing Committee meets at least twice a year to discuss and ratify laws.
The decision-making process at the NPC is carried out through a two-stage voting system. Under this system, the delegates first vote on each issue and then hold a second vote if there is a difference of opinion among the members. The most widely-supported proposal is then accepted and incorporated into the legislation.
The National People’s Congress is the legislative organ of the People’s Republic of China and the highest form of power in the country. It is responsible for enacting and amending laws, managing state finances, and proposing the removal of the President. The NPC is made up of five main organs and carries out its decision-making process through a two-stage voting system. With such relatively high powers and responsibilities, the NPC is a hugely influential body in the Chinese government and plays an important role in national political governance.
