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An American, Sean Callebs, and a Briton, Tom Bailey, met in Shenzhen with one question: "Is there democracy in China?" Their conclusion? "Yes, but not in the way you might expect."

Tom found himself frustrated by two everyday issues: the surge of e-scooters and the shift toward a cashless society. Instead of just complaining, he raised the concerns with a local deputy. The deputy documented the issue and submitted a report, sending it up through the system.

The response showed how the process works. China's democracy, they say, is rooted in everyday participation. For example, neighbors sharing concerns with deputies and deputies turning those concerns into policy discussions. As Tom Bailey puts it: "If you want to understand the democratic process here in China, come visit, observe, ask questions, and make up your own mind."

02:23

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Why China's democracy works: Insights from an American and a Briton