As a foreign visitor wandered through the community legislative service center in Shanghai’s Hongqiao subdistrict, one photo stopped him in his tracks. “So China’s national legislators actually work right here in the community!” he exclaimed.
This moment remains vivid for Sheng Hong, a deputy to China’s national legislative body and a community leader in Hongqiao. For over a decade, she has been a staunch advocate of “whole-process people’s democracy,” a concept that she believes is brought to life through everyday actions.
“Whole-process people’s democracy is practiced through the meticulous execution of daily responsibilities,” Sheng said in an interview during this year’s session of the National People’s Congress (NPC). Having served her community for 14 years, she emphasizes that her role goes far beyond policy debates in Beijing.
Hongqiao subdistrict is home to more than 87,000 residents from 50 countries, making it one of Shanghai’s most diverse neighborhoods. In 2024 alone, its resident center hosted 510 visiting delegations, including 55 foreign groups. Sheng often observes foreign visitors’ surprise at the accessibility of China’s political representatives.
“In my role as an NPC deputy, presenting China’s diverse democratic practices to the world brings me deep fulfillment and pride,” she shared. Sheng’s work includes mediating local disputes and ensuring that the voices of residents are heard at the national level.
For Sheng, the essence of democracy lies in its presence in daily life. By engaging directly with community members, she embodies a grassroots approach to governance that resonates with people both within and outside China.
