Viewing livelihood as a defining feature of Chinese modernization through two sessions: Global Times editorial

BEIJING, March 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- During China's 2025 national two sessions, an 82-year-old man from Central China's Hunan Province named Chen Junqing garnered attention. He wrote his suggestion on cigarette pack foil, which was submitted through a community legislative contact point and eventually led to amendments in the relevant regulations. These amendments were officially implemented before the two sessions. Although the foil was small, the matter concerning people's livelihoods was significant. A suggestion of over 120 characters demonstrates the effectiveness and warmth of the whole-process people's democracy.

Stories of vibrant democratic practices, such as that of Chen, are abundant at the grassroots level. In the exhibition hall of the Hongqiao sub-district grassroots legislative contact station in Shanghai, a popular colorful mural captures the collection of opinions on 103 legislative drafts since 2015. These community "golden ideas" have been transformed into specific livelihood policies, prompting foreign friends to exclaim, "So, China's National People's Congress (NPC) deputies work right in the community."

According to data from the State Council, in 2024, various departments adopted over 5,000 suggestions from NPC deputies and members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), resulting in the introduction of more than 2,000 related policies and measures. This has effectively promoted the resolution of a series of key and challenging issues related to reform, development, and the vital interests of the people. It vividly illustrates the "complete-chain, omni-directional, and all-encompassing democracy" nature of the whole-process people's democracy, showcasing its "broadest, most genuine, and most effective" characteristics.

The ongoing two sessions in Beijing have been dominated by various livelihood topics. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, emphasized the importance of "making greater efforts to ensure employment, which is the most fundamental aspect of people's livelihood" and inquired about the prevalence of installation of elevators in old residential buildings. The government work report introduced "funds and resources will be used to serve the people," while phrases such as "handling cases concerning people's immediate interests with care and compassion" and "safeguarding the people's 'lifeline funds'" were included in this year's Supreme People's Court and Supreme People's Procuratorate reports.

From CPPCC members discussing about "promoting the extension of quality medical resources to central and western regions" to an NPC deputy from Central China's Henan Province sharing revitalization practices of exporting locally produced energy-saving lamps to Europe and the US during group meetings, these vivid scenes and details reflect the deep roots and vibrant vitality of China's whole-process people's democracy. Currently, China has more than 2.77 million deputies in service nationwide, around 95 percent work in county- and township-level people's congresses, staying grounded and voicing the concerns of the people.

On Sunday afternoon, the heads of four departments – the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, and the National Health Commission – jointly attended a press conference focused on people's livelihoods. Good news discussed at the press conference, such as "all old urban residential communities built before the year 2000 will be included in the scope of urban renewal," the implementation of "Skills Illuminate the Future" training initiative, and the promotion of a 15-minute elderly care service circle, quickly surged to the top of online trending topics. This reflects that the two sessions serve not only as a platform for policy release but also as a "resonator" for public opinion.

In recent years, the two sessions have consistently focused on people's livelihoods as a key topic. Echoing throughout the two sessions is the governance philosophy of "people first," accompanied by a substantial "livelihood list." From the implementation of the "targeted poverty alleviation" strategy to the goal of achieving an average life expectancy of 79 years by 2024, and from the national "double reduction" policy aimed at alleviating the burden on primary and secondary school students to significant price reductions for key anti-cancer drugs, which have been included in health insurance, people have witnessed significant progress in the livelihoods of Chinese society through the two sessions. Furthermore, the gradual increase in pensions, the expansion of unemployment insurance coverage, and the improvement of subsistence allowances in rural areas all reflect the efforts of NPC deputies and CPPCC members at the two sessions to listen to public opinion and voice the concerns of the people.

The reason why China's political system possesses enduring vitality and superiority, and receive support and endorsement from the public, is that it effectively communicates the voices of different classes and groups, directly reflecting the needs and expectations of the people at the national decision-making level. From the research visits of NPC deputies and CPPCC members to the press conferences held by ministry officials, and the feedback on the implementation of grassroots policies, the complete chain of "reflecting-listening-consulting-implementing" has allowed the two sessions to form a closed loop from "public voice" to "public livelihood." This not only enhances the sense of gain, happiness, and security among the people, but also strengthens the role of people's livelihoods as a defining feature of Chinese modernization.

The voices of the people call for a response from the government, and the livelihood vision presented at the two sessions is transforming into vibrant practice across 9.6 million square kilometers of land.

From the vibrant and lively topics of people's livelihoods to the substantial and valuable policy measures, from the democratic practice of "listening to the people's voices" to the development momentum of "gathering the people's strength," robust economic growth has solidified the material foundation for whole-process people's democracy. Meanwhile, the increasingly improved democratic system injects institutional dividends into high-quality economic development by fostering social consensus. This "spring gathering" once again proves that the people-centered development philosophy is not only the original mission of the ruling party but also the source of vitality for China's development.

SOURCE Global Times