In a groundbreaking educational initiative, Shanghai’s Hongkou district has transformed civic education by bringing high school students directly into the heart of grassroots governance. Eleven local schools participated in an immersive program that allowed student representatives to observe actual sessions of the district people’s congress as special observers, providing them with unprecedented access to China’s political processes.
The program represents the nation’s first comprehensive demonstration district for youth education on the people’s congress system, established in 2023. According to Li Wenqing, deputy director of the education, science, culture and public health committee of Hongkou’s standing committee, the district has created a robust support system enabling students to interact directly with congressional deputies, visit legislative contact points, draft research reports, and even simulate standing committee meetings under professional guidance.
Students reported profound shifts in their understanding of democracy and civic engagement. ‘When I first learned about whole-process people’s democracy in junior high school, it remained an abstract concept,’ reflected Zhang Yiwu, a student from Chengzhong High School affiliated with Tongji University. ‘Now, sitting in the congress hall, I recognize it as tangible reality embedded in representatives’ proposals that directly impact our daily lives.’
The initiative has yielded concrete results, with student research proposals on regional development and livelihood issues being formally submitted to the congress. Tang Qun, principal of Shanghai Beijiao High School, confirmed that youth perspectives are now actively incorporated into local governance discussions.
Congress deputies have praised the students’ engagement and intellectual maturity. Zhang Lei, a district deputy, noted that ‘although students under 18 cannot vote yet, they are vital society members. Listening to their voices demonstrates whole-process people’s democracy at its most inclusive and authentic.’ Another deputy, Xu Wei, remarked on students’ remarkable confidence and independent thinking during discussions about legislative authority and sports regulation amendments.
Building on this successful pilot, Hongkou district is expanding people’s congress education to all high schools through elective courses, project-based learning, and immersive activities. The district education bureau, under Sun Lei’s leadership, is also exploring program extension to middle and elementary schools, with future initiatives focusing on student research into practical social issues including elderly care and community renovation.