The Constitution empowers the NPC with the total and highest position and the following major functions and rights:

1. To formulate and revise the Constitution and supervise its implementation; enact and revise basic laws and other laws of the state. The amendment of the Constitution shall be proposed by the Standing Committee of the NPC or one-fifth of the deputies to the NPC and can only be adopted by a majority of no less than two-thirds of the deputies to the NPC. Laws and other bills shall be adopted by the NPC with a majority of the deputies to the NPC. The Constitution also stipulates that the NPC has the rights to alter or annul inappropriate decision adopted by the Standing Committee of the NPC.

2. To elect members of the Standing Committee of the NPC; to elect the president and vice president of the People's Republic of China, and decide on the choice of the premier of the State Council upon nomination by the president, the choice of other members composing the State Council upon the nomination by the premier; to elect the chairman of the Central Military Commission, and decide on the choice of other members composing the Central Military Commission upon nomination by the chairman of the Commission; to elect the president of the Supreme People's Court; and to elect the procurator-general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate. The NPC has the right to remove all the above-mentioned functionaries.

3. To examine and approve the plan for national economic and social development; to examine and approve the state budget and the report on its implementation; to approve the establishment of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government; to decide on the establishment of special administrative regions and the systems to be instituted in the regions; and to decide on questions of war and peace.

4. To exercise such other functions and powers as the highest organ of state power should exercise.

(China.org.cn May 20, 2003)