According to stipulations in the Organizational Law of the National
People's Congress, deputies to the NPC are organized into
delegations based upon their constituencies. Each delegation has a
leader and deputy leaders. Before 1997, there were 32 delegations
to the NPC including 31 from provinces (autonomous regions and
municipalities directly under the Central Government) and one from
the People's Liberation Army. In June 1997, Chongqing became the
fourth municipality directly under the Central Government. On July
1, 1997, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was
established and on December 20, 1999, the Macao Special
Administrative Region was also established. Since then there have
been 34 delegations to the NPC.
The responsibilities of the delegations:
1.
Holding meetings before each session of the NPC to discuss issues
in preparation of the sessions proposed by the Standing Committee;
and
2.
When the NPC is in session, reviewing various motions and bills and
having their opinions voiced at the meetings of the presidium or
plenary sessions of the NPC through delegation leaders or
representatives elected.
The rights of the delegations:
1.
A delegation may put forward to the NPC motions or bills involving
issues falling within the power of the NPC;
2.
A delegation may put forward in writing inquiries to the State
Council and its various ministries and commissions; and
3.
More than three delegations may jointly put forward, for reviewing
by the NPC presidium, motions of removal of members composing the
Standing Committee of the NPC, the president or vice president of
the People's Republic of China, members of the State Council and
the Central Military Commission, the president of the Supreme
People's Court and the procurator-general of the Supreme People's
Procuratorate.
Besides, when the NPC is in session, meetings of delegation leaders
and the NPC presidium may decide to hold closed sessions apart from
open sessions.
(China.org.cn May 20, 2003)