By Nicholas Chan
The work report submitted by the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress is pragmatic and effective, showcasing the core role of the NPC in national governance. The report summarizes significant achievements in legislation, supervision, and reform over the past year, while also providing clear direction for the modernization of national governance in the future.
A Vivid Practice of Whole-Process People's Democracy
The report emphasizes that the NPC Standing Committee implements whole-process people's democracy, performs its duties according to the law, and takes on responsibilities. It upholds the spirit of the Constitution while continuously advancing the modernization of legislative work. Through scientific, democratic, and lawful legislation, the Standing Committee promotes the improvement and optimization of the legal system, providing a solid foundation for fair justice and lawful administration. This fully reflects the advantages of China's NPC system, ensuring steady progress of the national governance system along the rule of law.
Moreover, the Standing Committee has made significant progress in its supervisory work, effectively safeguarding constitutional authority and strengthening legal oversight of government actions to ensure policy implementation. This responsible legislative and supervisory model not only enhances government governance efficiency but also boosts public confidence in the national legal system.
Balancing Economic Governance and Social Equity
In the context of a complex and changing global economic environment, this report particularly focuses on effectively addressing internal competition, mitigating debt risks, and promoting systems conducive to high-quality development, social equity, and market unity. The Standing Committee guides economic development towards a more balanced and sustainable direction through legislation and policy adjustments, providing crucial support for the resilience and vitality of the Chinese economy in future competitive landscapes.
At the same time, the Standing Committee demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility in ensuring and improving people's livelihoods. Addressing real needs in the social welfare sector, the report emphasizes that legislation should be more aligned with the demands of the public, ensuring that laws and regulations genuinely benefit the people.
This people-centered legislative approach not only enhances social equity but also further consolidates the legitimacy and credibility of national governance.
New Layout for International Engagement and Cooperation
In the increasingly complex international landscape, the NPC Standing Committee actively promotes international exchanges, proactively serving the broader diplomatic agenda of our country. The report indicates that over the past year, the Standing Committee has dispatched 71 delegations to 68 countries for visits or international conferences and received delegations from 86 countries visiting China or participating in seminars. These diplomatic actions have significantly advanced China's multilateral cooperation with BRICS and other countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, enhancing China's influence in global governance.
Considering Hong Kong's unique role in international engagement, future delegations could include representatives from Hong Kong, allowing them to participate more directly in national diplomatic efforts. The itineraries of these delegations could also consider including Hong Kong, hosting international parliamentary summits there, enabling representatives from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan to promote China's path, theories, systems, and culture to the international community, thereby enhancing the country's international appeal.
Enhancing Technological Legislation and International Discourse Power
The Standing Committee continues to strengthen legislative research in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital economy, and big data. The report emphasizes the need to further improve technological regulations to provide legal guarantees for technological innovation.
Given Hong Kong's professional advantages in technology and law, it is suggested to increase the participation of representatives with technology and legal backgrounds from Hong Kong in relevant legislative meetings, allowing them to actively contribute their expertise and help promote the internationalization of related legal systems.
Additionally, China has established a series of national standards in areas such as AI ethics and data security. In the future, these standards can be promoted to evolve into international standards through the resources and influence of Hong Kong representatives in international institutions and professional fields. For example, through support from multiple governments, professional organizations, and academia in Africa, Latin America, and ASEAN, China's technological regulations and ethical guidelines can become part of global norms, further solidifying China's discourse power and leadership in the global technology and legal fields.
Scientifically Legislate to Support Innovation and Serve the People
The work report of the NPC Standing Committee is clear in direction and comprehensive in content, fully showcasing the advantages of the NPC system and the progress of the national governance system. From the practice of whole-process people's democracy to the balance of economic governance and social equity, and the enhancement of technological legislation and international discourse power, the Standing Committee's work lays a solid legal foundation for China's future development.
Facing global changes, China's rule of law construction must adhere to principles while being innovative. Hong Kong should actively participate in national legislative and diplomatic affairs, jointly promoting the country's influence on the international stage. We look forward to the Standing Committee continuing to deepen legislative and supervisory work across various fields to provide stronger legal guarantees for China's long-term development.
The author is a lawyer and a Hong Kong deputy of the National People's Congress (NPC).
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