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China's Two Sessions Showcase Grassroots Democracy in Action for Citizens and Foreigners Alike

From Nepalese surgeons to South Korean experts, outsiders are now shaping China's future. See how democracy here starts at the ground level—and crosses borders.

,   and  Administrator
2 min read
The image shows a poster of a political map of China, with text and a logo. The map is detailed,...
The image shows a poster of a political map of China, with text and a logo. The map is detailed, showing the various countries and their borders, as well as major cities, rivers, and other geographical features. The text on the poster provides additional information about the map, such as the names of the countries, their capitals, and the major cities.

China's Two Sessions Showcase Grassroots Democracy in Action for Citizens and Foreigners Alike

China's annual national two sessions will begin soon, with the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) opening on 5 March and the fourth session of the 14th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) starting a day earlier. These meetings serve as a key platform for lawmakers and advisors to discuss policies, build consensus, and showcase the country's approach to democracy at all levels.

A special online series titled Their Stories with Whole-Process People's Democracy has highlighted how grassroots participation shapes decision-making. The system, described as broad, genuine, and effective, extends its reach beyond Chinese citizens to include foreigners living in the country who now feel their voices matter.

Whole-process people's democracy starts at the primary level, where local practitioners gather public concerns and refine them into formal proposals. These suggestions are then reviewed by NPC deputies and CPPCC members, who debate and turn them into laws, regulations, and policies. This bottom-up approach ensures that everyday concerns—from local development to individual aspirations—are addressed in national discussions.

The two sessions themselves provide a global window into how this system operates. Lawmakers and advisors use the meetings to finalise plans that reflect widespread input. For foreigners in China, the process has become more than an observation—it is an opportunity to engage.

Ashish Maskay, a surgeon from Nepal, and Hong Won-sook, a South Korean traditional Chinese medicine expert, have both taken part in this democratic practice. Once outsiders, they now contribute ideas and actions, shifting from observers to active participants in China's development. Their involvement underscores how the system incorporates diverse perspectives, including those of international residents.

The website's special series for this year's sessions has shared real-life examples of democracy in action at the grassroots. While specific details on foreign experts and minority representatives featured in the series remain undisclosed, the stories emphasise inclusivity. The aim is to show how the process not only serves Chinese citizens but also creates a sense of belonging for those from abroad.

The upcoming two sessions will again demonstrate how whole-process people's democracy functions in practice. From local feedback to national policy, the system connects public input with government action. For participants like Maskay and Hong, it has also become a way to integrate into China's progress, proving that the model extends its reach beyond borders.

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