"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).
"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.
Other means to enhance legislation democracy include inviting experts and NPC deputies to attend legislative meetings. For example, when preparing for the Property Law, specialists in related fields were consulted several times to address complicated issues like the priority of real rights and debt.
To make the country's legislation work more transparent, Li Fei said, many more work meetings are opened to the press now. The Standing Committee of the NPC has also decided on the timely convention of press conferences when a new law is enacted. Regarding laws already taking effect, an archive is available on the NPC's official website for public reference.
"China has made much headway in legislation works during the past five years," Li Fei said. "After the reform and opening-up in late 1978, a sound legislative system has been established. In addition to the formulation of new laws, in the years ahead we will work hard to improve the existing laws, thus making them more suited to the rapid progress of our country."