What Is 10th National People’s Congress

Overview

The 10th National People's Congress (NPC) was the supreme organ of state power in the People's Republic of China during its tenure from 2003 to 2008. This legislative body represented the continuation of China's system of people's congress and served as the highest expression of China's state power, operating under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party. The Congress consisted of 2,984 deputies who were elected through a carefully structured electoral process that began in October 2002 and concluded in February 2003.

As the supreme legislative authority, the 10th NPC was responsible for amending China's constitution, enacting major legislation, approving the national budget, and electing China's top state officials. The first plenary session of the 10th NPC convened from March 5 to March 18, 2003, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where it selected the country's new leadership for the coming five-year term. This session was particularly significant because it marked a major transition in China's political leadership, with the election of a new generation of top officials who would guide the nation's development.

How It Works

The 10th NPC functioned as China's highest legislative body, with deputies representing provinces, autonomous regions, direct-controlled municipalities, and special administrative regions. The Congress operated according to established procedures and constitutional frameworks that defined its structure, composition, and decision-making processes:

• Deputy Election: Deputies to the 10th NPC were elected through a process conducted from October 2002 to February 2003, with electoral procedures varying by region and constituency to ensure representation from all parts of China
• Plenary Sessions: The Congress held plenary sessions at least once annually, with the first session in March 2003 being particularly significant as it conducted major constitutional elections and approvals
• Standing Committee: Between plenary sessions, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress exercised the powers of the full Congress, handling legislative matters, oversight functions, and administrative operations
• Legislative Authority: The 10th NPC possessed the exclusive power to amend the Chinese Constitution, enact laws, approve the national budget and final accounts, and ratify economic development plans
• Electoral Functions: The Congress elected the President of the People's Republic, the Vice President, members of the State Council, the Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court, and the Procurator-General of the Supreme People's Procuratorate
• Oversight Role: The Congress supervised the implementation of the constitution and laws, overseeing all state organs at the central and local levels to ensure proper governance

Key Details

The composition and characteristics of the 10th NPC reflected important changes in China's political representation, with notable increases in certain demographic groups while other categories experienced relative declines. The following table provides a comprehensive overview of the key characteristics and composition of the 10th NPC:

The dramatic increase in representatives from the non-public economy sector, from 48 to 133 deputies, was particularly significant as it reflected China's ongoing economic reforms and the growing importance of the private sector in the national economy. The inclusion of a separate delegation from Macau for the first time in the 10th NPC represented an important development in China's governance structure following Macau's return to Chinese sovereignty in 1999. These compositional changes illustrated how China's Congress evolved to represent the country's economic and social transformations during the early 2000s.

Why It Matters

• Leadership Transition: The 10th NPC orchestrated a crucial generational transition in China's top leadership, electing Hu Jintao as President, Wen Jiabao as Premier, and Zeng Qinghong as Vice President, marking the rise of a new cohort of leaders who would guide China's development
• Economic Reform Recognition: The dramatic increase in representatives from the private and non-public economy sectors acknowledged China's successful market-oriented economic reforms and gave voice to the growing business community
• Regional Representation: The establishment of Macau's separate delegation within the 10th NPC reinforced Beijing's "one country, two systems" framework and demonstrated the integration of special administrative regions into China's national governance structure
• Policy Direction: The 10th NPC and its leadership set the direction for China's national policies during a critical period of economic development, focusing on sustainable growth, social harmony, and modernization
• Constitutional Authority: As the supreme state power, the Congress exercised exclusive constitutional authority over major national decisions, amending laws and constitutional provisions as needed for China's evolving governance requirements

The 10th National People's Congress played a pivotal role in shaping China's political landscape during the early 2000s, a period of significant economic growth and international engagement. The Congress represented a bridge between China's previous generation of leaders and a new era of governance under Hu Jintao's administration. Its composition and decisions reflected the broader transformations occurring within Chinese society, including the rise of the private sector, evolving social demographics, and the integration of Hong Kong and Macau into the national governance framework. Understanding the 10th NPC is essential for comprehending China's political development during this transformative period in the nation's modern history.