Factbox

National People's Congress

The NPC is the highest organ of State power and China's top legislature. It is composed of deputies elected from 35 electoral units in accordance with the law. Each Congress is elected for a term of five years, and holds a plenary session annually.

Only the NPC has the power to amend the Constitution and supervise its enforcement. It is given the power to enact and amend laws governing criminal offenses, civil affairs, State organs and other matters, as well as to elect, decide to appoint and remove from office members of central State organs. It also determines major issues concerning national economic and social growth.

NPC deputies

Deputies serve a term of five years. They meet in NPC plenary sessions every year to review annual work reports of the central government, the NPC Standing Committee, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate. They also deliberate each year on plans for socioeconomic development and central and local budgets.

At the annual session, they review important pieces of legislation. They can submit motions and suggestions.

A total of 2,977 deputies were elected to the 14th NPC before its first full session, which is scheduled to begin in Beijing on Sunday. They comprise a broad cross-section of society, with every region, ethnic group and sector having an appropriate number of representatives.

Among the 14th NPC deputies, over 26 percent are women, a rise of 1.64 percentage points from the 13th NPC, while the number of deputies among workers, farmers and technicians has also risen.

Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference

The CPPCC is a patriotic united front organization for the Chinese people, serving as a key mechanism for multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. It is China's only national political consultative body and an important channel for socialist consultative democracy, a key component of the national governance system, and an institution designed with Chinese characteristics.

The main functions of the National Committee and local committees of the CPPCC are political consultation, democratic supervision, and participation in and deliberation of State affairs.

CPPCC members

Members of the CPPCC comprise the main body of the organization. Serving a five-year term, they are encouraged to reach out to the people they represent to hear their opinions and suggestions, promote State policies and guidelines, and help the Party and government explain policies, dispel misgivings, address concerns and problems, and enhance unity.

A total of 2,172 members of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC were elected ahead of its first annual session, which is due to begin in Beijing on Saturday. The nation's top political advisory body has set up a new group of 85 members focusing on the environment and natural resources.