Grassroots public servant brings community voices to policy makers

Of the nearly 3,000 deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, many are from grassroots positions.

Zhu Guoping is one of them.

Zhu Guoping, a deputy to the Fifth Session of the 12th National People's Congress, is from east China's Shanghai. [Photo: China Plus/Sun Yang]

The 59-year-old is the secretary of the Hongchu neighborhood committee of Shanghai's Changning District.

The neighbourhood committee is a fundamental part of China's local government. Among its many functions, it mediates family disputes and takes responsibility for public security and the community's sanitary conditions.

There are about 48,000 residents in Zhu's community. Her daily schedule involves dealing with many aspects of local issues. She said she's keen to hear views and insights of the people in her community and that the local people have nicknamed her "The Lane Premier.''

In 2008, Zhu was elected as a deputy to the 11th NPC and then succeeded in her second run for the position in 2013.

In her daily work, she spares as much time as possible to visit different families, gauging their opinions and feelings about the community. Every March, she brings the voices of the residents to the NPC meeting and shares her ideas on community management.

Over the past decade, Zhu has submitted dozens of motions and made constructive suggestions related to public welfare, including food safety, elderly care and the protection of the homeless. Her suggestions have been highly valued, and some of them were accepted by relevant departments of the government.

Last year, Zhu Guoping joined the discussion of the Third Draft of the General Provisions of Civil Law.

Before, she thought drafting a legal document has nothing to do with a grassroots public servant like herself. But later, she found it covers comprehensive areas concerning people's daily lives.

According to the third draft of the law, in the absence of a qualified guardian, the guardianship duty may be assumed by an eligible local neighbourhood committee/villager's committee at the place of residence of the ward.

Based on her experience, Zhu Guoping said it is difficult for neighbourhood committee alone to take it.

Zhu said the neighbourhood committee usually has few employees, while they have to deal with complex issues every day. They are unable to take care of young children or disabled elderly only by themselves.

She suggested that the Civil Administration Department should take the guardianship duty if neighbourhood committee failed to do that. The suggestion was later accepted by the legislature and officially included into the law.

Zhu was happy about the amendment.

"The General Provisions of Civil Law is closely related to everyone. A law of the people should take into consideration the suggestions of the people," said Zhu Guoping. "The system of staying connected with local communities on legislative issues set a platform which directly solicits the legislation-related views of the general public. It is a big step forward for legislative justice," add Zhu.

In her eyes, a real deputy should speak the truth, do solid work and bring the public voices to policy makers.

"To be elected as NPC deputy signifies recognition and trust from the Party and the people. I will try my best to be a qualified one," said Zhu.