According to the Constitution and the statutes of the National People's Congress, the NPC Standing Committee has powers and functions as follows:

Legislation

In accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, though the most fundemental legislation is reserved for the NPC alone, its Standing Committee may enact much of the regular routine business. This includes the enactment and amendment of statutes other than those reserved for the NPC. When the NPC is not in session, the Standing Committee enacts supplements and amendments to NPC statutes as long as these do not run counter to the basic principles embodied in the statutes. Consequently, except for revisions to the Constitution and basic laws, which are beyond its scope, the NPC Standing Committee undertakes a large amount of legislative work.

Interpreting the Constitution and laws

Interpretation of the Constitution means providing a legislative explanation of those articles and provisions that require further definition or supplementary explanation. This is necessary to ensure that any problems that might arise during the execution of the Constitution and laws are dealt with in way that will ensure proper implementation.

Supervising the enforcement of the Constitution

The Constitution places responsibilities for supervising the enforcement of the constitution not only on the NPC but also on its Standing Committee. Conferring this power on a permanent body like the Standing Committee ensures the continuing and regular supervision of the enforcement of the Constitution between the annual sessions of the NPC itself.

Supervising the work of other state organs

The NPC Standing Committee supervises the work of the State Council, Central Military Commission, Supreme People's Court and Supreme People's Procuratorate. It has powers to annul any administrative rules and regulations, decisions or orders of the State Council that contravene the Constitution or the statutes of the state.

It also has powers to annul any local regulations or decisions of the organs of state power at the level of the provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government if they should contravene the Constitution, statutes or administrative rules and regulations of the state.

Powers of appointment and removal

When the National People's Congress is not in session, the NPC Standing Committee has powers to decide many of the nation's senior official appointments.