-- "One of the great misunderstandings is that China is not a democracy," said Mario Cavolo, an Italian-American writer and commentator.
-- "The whole-process democracy is a hallmark of socialist democracy that distinguishes it from various capitalist democratic systems," senior lawmaker Wang Chen said.
-- China aims to develop a system of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics, and this system will take shape over the next five years.
China's "two sessions," the annual sessions of the top legislature and top political advisory body, are a key event on the country's political calendar.
As major issues are being discussed, the event offers outsiders a good chance to see democracy and rule of law at work in the country's political system.