Top legislator urges lawmakers to engage with public more effectively

BEIJING -- China's top legislator Zhao Leji on Wednesday urged deputies to people's congresses to engage with the public on a broader range of issues and through more diverse channels.

Zhao, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, made the remarks at a lawmakers' symposium held on the sidelines of an NPC Standing Committee session.

Deputies should listen to the people and reflect their perspectives on major issues of public concern, particularly in relation to social and economic development, Zhao said.

He called on the deputies to gather public suggestions on the work of people's congresses, including legislation and supervision, and to incorporate these suggestions into their proposals to address relevant issues through legal and institutional means.

Zhao urged the deputies to perform their duties in line with the arrangements of the standing committees of people's congresses. He encouraged them to make full use of local legislative outreach offices, deputy liaison offices, websites and mobile platforms to maintain regular contact with the public.

He also stressed the importance of listening to deputies' suggestions and opinions, and of summarizing experience to improve their work mechanisms and strengthen their capabilities.

He urged the deputies to implement the guiding principles from the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the NPC.