Chinese Consul General Explains Significance of the Two Sessions

Dr Zhu ( middle) during the briefing

28 March 2026

KOTA KINABALU: In a detailed elaboration on China’s annual political consultations, Chinese Consul General in Sabah Dr Zhu Xinglong highlighted the central role of the Two Sessions in shaping the nation’s policies and future development during a Media Briefing at the Consulate yesterday.

He explained that the Two Sessions, comprising the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), are China’s highest political forums for setting the country’s blueprint on economic growth, social progress, employment, and innovation. The NPC is the country’s top legislative body, responsible for reviewing government reports, scrutinising development plans, and enacting laws, while the CPPCC functions as a key platform for multi-party cooperation, political consultation, and participation in state affairs under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.

Dr Zhu noted that representatives from all walks of life participate in these sessions. NPC delegates include workers, farmers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and officials, ensuring grassroots voices are heard. The CPPCC members represent various political parties and social groups, engaging in research, public opinion collection, and proposing suggestions that inform national decision-making. This process embodies the concept of consultative democracy, where the people exercise power through the NPC and influence policies via the CPPCC, thus translating popular aspirations into concrete national actions.

This year, some 2,878 NPC deputies gathered to discuss key issues. Over 16% of them are grassroots workers and farmers, reflecting China’s commitment to “bottom-up” governance. The country’s democratic system is described as “fresh with dewdrops and stained with soil,” emphasising its deep roots at the community level. Institutional procedures ensure voices from rural areas, sub-districts, and local communities are channelled into national policies, strengthening governance foundations.

The diversity of representation is also evident in the inclusion of ethnic minorities. Among the 14th NPC deputies, 442 are from ethnic minority groups, representing all 55 groups, even those with populations below 10,000, such as the Hezhe people, ensuring their voices are heard at the highest legislative level. To promote inclusivity, electoral authorities have introduced mobile ballot boxes and door-to-door voting for the elderly and mobility-impaired, guaranteeing universal participation.

Dr Zhu further highlighted China’s unique system of multiparty cooperation under CPC leadership. The Communist Party collaborates with various democratic parties and non-party figures to pool collective wisdom. Last year, General Secretary Xi Jinping led symposiums gathering diverse opinions on economic development and future planning. Proposals from different political entities on ecological protection and traditional Chinese medicine have been incorporated into national policies.

China’s consultative democracy, Dr Zhu explained, seeks broad consensus and draws the largest common denominator, effectively avoiding partisan conflicts and social divisions often seen in Western democracies. The system ensures that the people retain participation rights even after voting and supervision rights after policies are enacted, promoting policy continuity and stability. This unified approach mobilises China’s 1.4 billion people towards common goals, demonstrating resilience and strategic stability amid global changes.