By Huiyu Yin
Every year in March, the
annual meeting of the National People’s Congress (the NPC) opens in Beijing. It is the largest
legislative body in the world, with about three thousand representatives from all over the
country. During this meeting, the NPC passes laws, and approves the government
budget and appointment of senior government officials. For the rest of the
year, the NPC’s 175-member standing committee in Beijing is in charge of
legislative issues.
The
Chinese People’s Political
Consultative Conference’s (the CPPCC) annual
meeting is held simultaneously. This
advising body with no legislative power is composed of independent
representatives and members of political parties other than the Chinese
Communist Party (the CCP). Its role is somewhat analogous to a top advisory legislature.
