In China, people often refer to the Chinese National Congress as a rubber stamp. People regard the Congress as no more than an official title, a body with no real legislative power. But the lameness of the Congress does not carry over to its delegates, who are treated as privileged authority figures. Even powerful officials of the public security system sometimes have to defer to C.N.C. delegates.
The social status of a Congressional delegate is illustrated by this story that was published in a Chinese newspaper and is often cited on Chinese websites:
Continue reading