China outlines democratic and social governance plans for Fifteenth Five-Year Plan

During a State Council Information Office press conference regarding the upcoming “Fifteenth Five-Year Plan,” Chinese officials outlined strategies for developing socialist democracy and improving grassroots governance.

The National People's Congress (NPC) plans to focus on legislative work concerning education, employment, healthcare, and social security. Upcoming legislative priorities include the Childcare Service Law and the National Fire Rescue Personnel Law. Additionally, over 1 billion voters are expected to participate in direct elections to select 2.6 million deputies for county and township-level people's congresses.

The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) will implement democratic supervision across ten key tasks, including high-level opening-up and the construction of a healthy China. Meanwhile, the United Front Work Department will focus on supporting the private economy and ecological protection in the Yellow River basin.

The Central Social Work Department, making its first appearance at a press conference, emphasized the management and protection of “new employment groups,” such as delivery riders and ride-hailing drivers. Efforts will focus on protecting labor rights, improving platform algorithms to ensure fair dispatching and pricing, and providing better social support through “friendly scenes” like rest areas and specialized housing.