Teaching Comparative Government and Politics

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Mark you calendars

Here's democratic centralism at work.

Now, once again, who is meeting according to the headline? according to the article? And who set the agenda?

China's top legislature starts five-day session on Aug. 25

"The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, will start a five-day session on Aug. 25 to review draft laws on food safety and recycling, among other issues.

"The Fourth Session of the 11th NPC will meet here in the capital.

"Five bills are likely to be debated. These are draft laws on food safety and recycling, an amendment to the Criminal Law, a revised edition of the Insurance Law and a draft of the revision of the Patent Law.

"According to the recommended schedule submitted at Monday's meeting of NPC Standing Committee chairpersons, the NPC will also discuss an additional protocol to the Organization Law of the Union Postale Universelle and three conventions on criminal judicial assistance with Namibia, Brazil and Japan.

"The session will review several reports of the State Council, or the cabinet, on increasing farmers' income, the protection of minors, the 2007 central budget.

"Wu Bangguo, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over Monday's meeting."