Whole-process people's democracy: China's democratic practice
By Kong Xianhua
What is democracy? Democracy is best understood by what it delivers, not just how it looks. At its core, democracy means that people truly hold power. Through various lawful channels, the people can manage national and social affairs, as well as economic and cultural activities. Democracy is diverse, with no fixed model or uniform standard.
In China, people's democratic rights are ensured through whole-process people's democracy. The recently concluded China's "two sessions" —the National People's Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)—provided an important window for the world to better understand China's democracy.
China's "two sessions" embody four prominent characteristics of whole-process people's democracy.
First, full coverage. NPC deputies are broadly representative. The 14th NPC has a total of 2,878 deputies, among whom workers and farmers make up over 16%, female deputies account for over 26%, and deputies from 55 ethnic minority groups represent nearly 15%. These deputies were elected in accordance with the law from over 1.4 billion Chinese people. The election process strictly followed legal procedures that combine direct and indirect elections. It began with the direct election of over 2.62 million deputies to people's congresses at the county and township levels by all voters. These deputies then elected deputies to the city-level and provincial-level people's congresses through successive indirect elections. Finally, NPC deputies were elected through competitive elections by secret ballot.
Second, extensive consultation. A key item on the agenda of this year's "two sessions" was the review and approval of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). From May to June 2025, the preparation work for the plan collected public opinions online. More than 3.113 million valid suggestions were received. These suggestions formed more than 1,590 representative opinions across 27 areas, making important contributions to formulating the plan. The aspirations and expectations of hundreds of millions of people were deeply integrated into national planning and decision-making. The National Development Planning Law, reviewed and approved during this year's "two sessions," stipulates in legal terms that "the formulation of national development plans shall be guided by the principle of combining top-level design with soliciting public opinions." This ensures that public participation is protected by law and reflected in national plans.
Third, effective implementation. NPC deputies and CPPCC National Committee members bring the opinions of grassroots people to the highest platforms of governance, contributing suggestions for national development. In 2025, departments under China’s State Council handled a total of 8,754 suggestions submitted by NPC deputies and 4,868 proposals from CPPCC National Committee members. All of them were completed on time. These departments adopted over 4,900 suggestions from the deputies and members and introduced more than 2,200 related policies and measures to improve public services and address key issues.
Fourth, daily life integration. Deputies to people's congresses come from all sectors of society. They maintain close ties with the people in their respective work and roles. Through participation in councils, forums, and consultations, they widely listen to the opinions of the people and work to serve the people. This ensures that they truly represent the people. The people’s congresses have established 60 national-level and over 7,800 local-level legislative outreach offices, allowing people’s voices to reach national legislative organs directly.
China's democratic practice is fundamentally rooted in the commitment of the Communist Party of China to serving the people wholeheartedly. It is also based on the Communist Party of China’s inheritance and development of the traditional Chinese political wisdom that "People are the water, and the ruler is the boat; the water can carry the boat, but it can also capsize the boat. " Whole-process people's democracy makes the Chinese people the true masters of China. It is the strength of over 1.4 billion ordinary people coming together that has created the "two miracles" of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability.
Recently, I was invited to observe the elections in Kulhudhuffushi. The electoral process there was well-organised, and the people actively participated in voting to express their political will. Through the window of local elections, one can see the Maldivian government’s overall commitment to respecting democracy. I have also truly felt the enthusiasm and sense of responsibility of the Maldivian people in actively participating in national affairs and contributing to the country's development. China and the Maldives have different forms of democracy, but we are united by a people-centred commitment. With this shared commitment, we can learn from each other and draw on each other’s experiences. The building of a China-Maldives community with a shared future would have the most reliable foundation of public support.
Editor's Note: Kong Xianhua is the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Maldives.
