During the tenure of the 10th National People's Congress (March 2003-March 2008), an "open-door model" was frequently applied. The formulation of the milestone Real Right Law, which spanned seven hearings in 13 years, is the largest lawmaking activity participated by the public so far. In a month after the draft law was promulgated on July 10, 2005, more than 10,000 members of the public responded. Revisions on this basis meant the first Chinese statute on private property protection conformed much better to the requirements of the people.
Following that, on September 27, 2005, 20 representatives, selected from almost 5,000 applicants, aired their opinions on the adjustment of taxable personal income at the first legislative hearing convened by the National People's Congress since the Legislation Law took effect. The event is hailed as the dawn of open and transparent taxation legislation in China. In 2007, public debates on the Labor Contract Law and the Employment Promotion Law further added to the already high public desire to get involved in the lawmaking process.
Though the "open-door model" inevitably prolongs the legislation process, it prevents the country's laws from only catering to the government's needs and is playing an increasingly important role in checking the administrative power. In next five years and beyond, people can expect a more transparent lawmaking to contribute to the implementation of "rule of law."
(Beijing Review March 7, 2008)