The NPC is China’s highest organ of state power. The NPC exercises the legislative power of the state with powers that include electing the President of China, supervising the enforcement of the Constitution, amending the Constitution, enacting basic laws, deciding on the choice of the Premier of the State Council upon nomination by the President, electing the Chairman of the Central Military Commission and, upon nomination by the Chairman, deciding on the choice of all other members of the Central Military Commission, and electing the President of the Supreme People’s Court. The First Session of the 10th NPC on March 5, 2003 was attended by some 2,916 deputies elected from the provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government and deputies elected by the armed forces. The NPC meets in session once a year for about two weeks. Between these sessions, power is exercised by its Standing Committee. The current Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee is Wu Bangguo.
