Stations bring citizens, govt closer

Shanghai has established more than 5,700 contact stations across the city to enhance grassroots democracy and foster closer ties between the government and the citizens, the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress said.

The initiative, launched in the city where President Xi Jinping first introduced the concept of whole-process people's democracy in 2019, enables residents to engage directly with 15,000 legislators at the national, municipal, district and town levels. These interactions allow people to voice concerns on economic and livelihood issues and offer suggestions for social development.

Shanghai has also set up 36 local legislative outreach offices to solicit public feedback on legislative and regulatory matters, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive governance. The offices, located in all 16 districts, hold regular discussions to collect public opinions on legislation and law revisions.

First introduced in 2014, the contact stations serve as extensions of the legislative outreach offices and have become pivotal platforms for promoting the rule of law and good governance. The city's efforts to diversify and expand ways for legislators to engage with the public demonstrate its commitment to implementing whole-process people's democracy, the standing committee said.

Over the past five years, the contact stations have expanded into industrial parks, office buildings, residential compounds and scenic areas, contributing to regional economic growth and fostering collaboration between stakeholders to ensure shared prosperity in urban development.

For example, the establishment of the Xintiandi International Commercial Trial Tribunal in October last year incorporated a contact station. The station facilitates monthly interactions between legislators and government officials to address business concerns in the commercial zone, one of the city's key hubs for imported trade. So far, parties involved in tribunal cases have come from more than 60 countries and regions, including the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Italy and Japan.

Looking ahead, legislators said the challenge lies in devising more efficient and cost-effective solutions within the tribunal to cater to an increasingly diverse international business community. They pledged to explore innovative approaches to address these needs.

In early 2024, another contact station was established in Putuo district, focusing on the needs of couriers, ride-hailing drivers and other workers in the emerging digital economy.

"By mobilizing various social resources, this initiative aims to safeguard the legal rights of these grassroots employees, empower them with a stronger sense of security, and promote the healthy and sustainable development of new socioeconomic organizations," said Fang Yongxin, a city-level legislator and president of Eleme, a major online food delivery platform.

Sheng Hong, a National People's Congress deputy and Party branch secretary of a residential community in Hongqiao subdistrict, said the subdistrict was one of the country's first four local legislative outreach offices, established in 2015. More than 50 foreign nationalities reside in the area.

"The growth of these facilities reflects the vitality of whole-process people's democracy. Their key strength lies in merging professionalism with grassroots engagement," Sheng said. "This process also allows residents to experience firsthand the meticulous care and public interest considerations embedded in legislative efforts."

"At the two legislative outreach offices established in Hongqiao subdistrict, we have gathered public opinions on 103 draft laws and 55 draft local regulations, transforming valuable ideas into tangible benefits that improve people's lives," Sheng said.

zhouwenting@chinadaily.com.cn