According to Chen Shuangquan, vice director of the law committee of the Sichuan Provincial People’s Congress, public solicitation on local legislation proposals by the standing committee office has aroused immense community participation since November 26, 2002. As of December 20, citizens have suggested 411 legislative proposals to the provincial legislation watchdog. After conducting an initial review, congress has agreed that 185 of the total 411 proposals are worthy of further review and consideration. These 185 proposals deal with legislation covering 23 fields, including legal protection for outside investors and migrant workers, improved judicial supervision, regulation of education malpractice, regulation of university enrollment, regulation of SOE (State-owned Enterprise) leaders taking advantage of their positions, improved handling of administrative appeals, and regulating postgraduate mentors who demand students work for their own companies for little or no compensation.

After further deliberations, the standing committee regards 13 proposals as valuable references for legislation. Nine proposals have been listed in the Plan on Legislation Proposals in 2003, such as the Regulations of Sichuan Province on Compensation for Electric Shock Causing Personal Damage by Sichuan Electric Power Corporation, the Regulations of Sichuan Province on Giant Panda Protection by citizen Tan Zuoren, and the Sichuan Provincial Management Regulations on Pets by citizen Wen Shiquan.

Yang Qiquan, secretary-general of the standing committee, and senior officials of the law committee also exchanged views with the representatives present at the forum on legislation for the people, comprehension and public participation of citizens in the People’s Congress, and the duties and practices of deputies to represent the fundamental interests of citizens.

(china.org.cn by Alex Xu, January 3, 2002)