China vows to include ‘outstanding people’ from private sector in politics at all levels as economy falters

31-point Communist Party and State Council action plan calls for ‘outstanding’ private sector candidates to join lawmaking and advisory bodies

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China’s top legislative and political advisory bodies have long seated prominent entrepreneurs from the private sector. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 8:23pm, 20 Jul 2023Updated: 9:02pm, 20 Jul 2023

China has pledged to have “outstanding people” from the private sector named to lawmaking and advisory bodies at all levels, as the country pulls out all stops to power post-Covid economic growth.

A 31-point action plan aimed at boosting the private sector was released on Wednesday night by the Central Committee, the ruling Communist Party’s top leadership, and China’s cabinet, the State Council.

“[We should] do a steady job of recommending outstanding people from the private sector as candidates for membership of legislative and political consultative bodies at all levels,” the action plan said, according to a full text published by state news agency Xinhua.

These bodies would include China’s highest organ of state power, the National People’s Congress (NPC), top political advisory body the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and their local branches.

Authorities should “also make good use of the All‑China Federation of Industry and Commerce as the main channel of political participation for people in the private sector”, the plan said, referring to China’s semi-official chamber of commerce.

The NPC and CPPCC have long seated prominent entrepreneurs from the private sector, including smartphone giant Xiaomi founder-CEO Lei Jun and electric vehicle-maker Xpeng Motors founder He Xiaopeng.