6. Adhering to the correct political orientation and continuing to strengthen self-development

The Standing Committee is the permanent organ of the NPC, and it has been assigned important responsibilities by the Constitution and laws. Intensifying its self-development efforts is of the utmost importance for better exercising its power, fulfilling its responsibilities, and doing its work well.

We continued to give top priority to ideological and political development, adhered to the correct political orientation throughout the performance of the NPC's functions in accordance with the law, reached a thorough understanding of the essential differences between our country's system of people's congresses and Western capitalist countries' systems of political power, and constantly became more purposeful and resolute in keeping to the socialist path of political development with Chinese characteristics and in upholding and improving the system of people's congresses. At the same time, we carried out capacity building and institutional development. First, we continued to provide training for NPC deputies on how to carry out their duties, organized regular group study sessions, and held lectures on the topics of each Standing Committee meeting. In light of their work, all Standing Committee members learned from the people, past experience, and experts and worked hard to understand relevant problems in the course of formulating laws, adopting resolutions, deliberating and approving work reports, and carrying out inspections on compliance with laws. Second, we strengthened investigations and studies, stayed firmly grounded in our legislative and oversight work, visited community-level organizations, and acquired an understanding of particular conditions. We focused on widespread problems that indicate an unhealthy trend, and strove to identify their root causes, provide reasonable solutions based on good grounds, and make practicable decisions. This both improved the quality of the Standing Committee's work and prompted other parties to improve their work. Third, we improved our work system. We promptly revised the procedural rules of Standing Committee meetings, further standardized the order of procedures, and raised the efficiency of procedures at meetings. We made use of the activities celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of New China and the 10th anniversary of the implementation of the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region to extensively publicize the socialist path of political development with Chinese characteristics, the system of people's congresses, and the principle of "one country, two systems," and to vigorously expand and deepen publicity of the NPC's work.

The special committees of the NPC have capable personnel, a rich fund of knowledge, and a wealth of experience. They made full use of these unique features and strengths; focused on the central tasks of the NPC and its Standing Committee; carried out investigations and studies to attain a deep understanding of particular circumstances, earnestly researched, deliberated, and drafted bills; strengthened their communication and coordination with other parties; enhanced cooperation among themselves; and made a large number of valuable comments and suggestions; thereby effectively raising the overall level of the Standing Committee's work.

Taking advantage of the opportunity created by consolidating achievements in the campaign to thoroughly study and apply the Scientific Outlook on Development, and taking improving Party building as their fulcrum, the organs of the NPC improved their work systems; comprehensively invigorated their own development; fully aroused the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of their employees; and expanded their role in collectively providing advice, assistance, and service.

Last year was the 30th anniversary of the founding of standing committees of local people's congresses at and above the county level. Their founding was an important measure for improving the system of local political power as well as a major development and improvement in our country's system of people's congresses. We hosted forums and a variety of other commemorative activities to review and exchange successful experiences and practices in strengthening and improving the work of local people's congresses, and further strengthened our ties with them. The Standing Committee invited leading members of the standing committees of people's congresses of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government to attend all its meetings as observers, and earnestly listened to their comments and suggestions. We also promptly informed these local standing committees of related developments. Local people's congresses and their standing committees have long fully supported and closely cooperated with the NPC Standing Committee in carrying out its legislative, oversight, deputy-related, and foreign relations work, and worked with it to constantly carry its work forward.