Chongqing - Officials said at a Jan. 23 press conference that the fourth session of the sixth Chongqing Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) will begin on Jan. 27, followed by the fourth session of the sixth Chongqing Municipal People’s Congress, which will open on Jan. 28 and run through Feb. 1.
According to Zhang Xiaofei, Director of the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the CPPCC Research Office, the fourth session of the sixth Chongqing Municipal Committee of the CPPCC will run for four and a half days, concluding on January 31, with eight major items on the agenda, including reviewing the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the CPPCC Standing Committee's work report and evaluating the progress on proposals submitted since the previous session. This session highlights the growing importance of civic participation and the CPPCC's role in responding to the people's needs, ensuring that the government remains closely connected to its citizens.
In 2025, the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the CPPCC stepped up engagement with grassroots communities. Zhang cited initiatives in which committee members listened directly to residents, helping address issues including rural drinking water safety, parking shortages, labor gaps in businesses and limited elderly care services.
A key effort has been the “Three Connections” working mechanism, designed to strengthen links between members of the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the CPPCC, residents and other representatives. The initiative aims to broaden participation in governance by ensuring community voices are heard and followed up.
Zhang said continued cooperation with local governments is key to advancing rural revitalization in places such as Yunyang County. Members of the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the CPPCC have also provided services directly to residents, including medical care, legal assistance and education support.
Zhang said the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the CPPCC handled 1,385 proposals in 2025, all of which were completed on schedule.
The fourth session of the sixth Chongqing Municipal People’s Congress will cover 10 main agenda items, including deliberating the Chongqing Municipal Government Work Report and reviewing the draft outline of Chongqing’s 15th Five-Year Plan, which will guide the city’s development priorities in the coming years.
Chongqing is also advancing democratic practices through the Chongqing Municipal People's Congress. Zhang Bin, Deputy Director of the Standing Committee of the Chongqing Municipal People's Congress, discussed the city's commitment to enhancing "whole-process people's democracy," a concept that ensures citizens are involved in every step of governance, from deliberation to decision-making.
In 2025, the city expanded its grassroots democratic practices by establishing 16 "whole-process democracy practice stations" and upgrading 1,028 deputies' homes. These reforms ensure that local citizens have direct input into policies that affect their daily lives, reinforcing Chongqing's commitment to democratic governance.
Chongqing is also working to introduce its democratic processes to international audiences. As part of its efforts to showcase China's democratic system, the city invited representatives from 24 countries to observe its grassroots democratic practices. Over 50 foreign delegates visited the city's practice stations, gaining firsthand experience of China's system and recognizing its effectiveness in responding to citizens' needs.