In the heart of Beijing’s Chaoyang district lies one of China’s 54 national grassroots legislative contact points, where everyday voices meet lawmaking minds. Since opening in 2021, this hub has reviewed over 34 draft laws, channeling more than 4,600 recommendations—139 of which shaped final legislation.
Rapid Growth
What began in 2015 with four pilot sites has expanded across the Chinese mainland. Today, 54 national points and over 7,800 local offices reach an estimated 186 million residents. They have gathered feedback on 207 draft laws, collected over 58,000 comments and integrated more than 3,500 suggestions directly into the legal framework.
Voices That Matter
From 71-year-old Liu Ersheng in Shanghai, who championed free entry for youth at science museums, to middle schoolers revising clauses in the Law on the Protection of Minors, these contact points prove small voices can drive big change. In Xizang and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, local ideas influenced key ecological and development laws, promoting community unity and a shared national vision.
A Global Showcase
Beyond borders, international delegations have peered into these courtyards. Diplomats and officials from 36 countries and members of the Eritrean government witnessed a vivid demonstration of people-powered democracy. With plans to expand digital platforms, China is positioning grassroots lawmaking as a model for wider global adoption.
As this decade-long experiment deepens, it offers a fresh blueprint for engaging citizens in legislation—transforming lawmaking from an abstract process into a collaborative journey that resonates from urban centers to remote communities.
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China’s outreach office marks a decade of people-centered lawmaking
cgtn.com
