China’s parliamentary advisory body, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, opened in Beijing this week.
The Communist Party enlists carefully selected and loyal delegates from among celebrities, the private sector, ethnic minority communities and “people’s organizations” under the party umbrella.
Delegates from minority political parties are also allowed, but only if they play a role subservient to the ruling party.
Meanwhile, state media portrays the conference as proof of China’s consultative model of “whole process democracy,” as well as its inclusion of people from “all walks of life” in politics.
The Photo of the Week feature will showcase a compelling image from the past seven days.