现场丨在沪外国居民走进上海市人大啦！（最新发布）(2)

The legislature also makes key decision on important issues, such as its February decision to unite all residents in fighting the COVID-19 epidemic. Legislators gave authorizations to various government bodies to take appropriate measures, Gao said.

The lawmaking process in China, he said, is all-inclusive, with studies and reports made by committees of the legislature, consultation with the government on draft laws and opinions solicited from the public. Laws are voted on after more than one reading and revision, with drafts passing legal scrutiny.

“The Chinese lawmaking system might be different from other countries, but our legislators are doing a similar job,” Gao said in his address. “Some foreign media call Chinese people’s congresses a ‘rubber stamp,’ which is not only untrue, but rather, is a prejudice.”

Simon Stewart, director of admissions and marketing of the British International School Shanghai, Puxi, said it’s an incredible honor to be able to be right in the center where decisions are made for the people of Shanghai.

He said he was impressed by the way the legislature is organized, and that an open dialogue can be had on how the needs of the residents can be best presented as well as how to best promote the economy.

“It’s a great opportunity for expats to come and really understand deeply how government works in Shanghai, and how it supports the growth of the city,” he said.

Christopher Short, the international principal of Nord Anglia Chinese International School, said he felt excited to take part in the event early on in his life in Shanghai as he has been here for only a few weeks.

“It’s really interesting to find out how the congress here works and the various roles the legislators have,” he said. “In terms of legislation, day-to-day running, electing people to sit in positions within the body and the way it’s structured, the congress here is very similar to the parliament in Britain.”