2017 NPC session sees more motions

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By CGTN's Han Bin‍

As China's political session is winding up, the National People's Congress (NPC) has completed the collection of motions filed by deputies. The number is up this year, and the focus is on a supervision system and structural reforms, as well as economics and culture. ‍

Staff at the secretarial department of the National People's Congress, categorizing the suggestions and motions from lawmakers on March 13, 2017. /CGTN Photo

According to the Constitution, deputies have the right to submit motions, which become legally binding when adopted.

According to Kong Ping, head of the motion group, as of Sunday's noon deadline, the department had received 514 motions, 52 more than last year. It has also received more than 8,000 suggestions. All these need to be dealt with by the end of this year.

“The quality of motions this year is higher than in the past. The motions were raised after deputies conducted research or visited problematic regions” - Kong Ping. /CGTN Photo

All the motions will be sent to special committees of the NPC Standing Committee for review. The presidium decides if a motion is to be included on the agenda of an NPC session. It will also examine the report from the relevant special committee and decide to submit the motion for a vote at a plenary session. Kong Ping says they will give feedback to deputies in a timely manner.

CGTN Photo

Making suggestions and motions are key functions of the deputies’ role. We’ve been informed that over the years, the numbers are on the rise, reflecting lawmakers’ desire to push legal progress. But many deputies stress it’s the quality of motions that matters most. And there’s big room for improvement in their work.