I oppose the political career of a NPC representative

Author: Yao Lifu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-11-01
Features: Yao Lifu, male, born in 1958, staff member of Qianjiang Experimental Primary School. Since 1987, he broke the unwritten internal nomination rules for local people's representatives and began to run for the position of Qianjiang City People's Representative as an ordinary citizen. In 13 years, across three election cycles, he faced numerous twists and turns, persistently fighting until he was elected as the fourth People's Representative of Qianjiang City in 1999—few have succeeded in running for the position as a non-formal candidate. During his tenure as a representative, he submitted 187 suggestions, opinions, and criticisms to the government and courts, conducted countless inspections and researches on behalf of the people, and his footsteps every corner of Qianjiang's cities and villages. The public affectionately called him "Representative Yao." Yao Lifu is a democratic warrior who challenges the old order.
—Commentary by The Washington Post
He is working hard, fully utilizing all powers granted to people's representatives by the constitution and laws.
—Commentary by Nanfangfang
Yao Lifu, a figure who cannot be talked about enough, will continue to be the subject of public discourse. After all, he has become a symbol and a representation of social progress in grassroots democratic elections in China.
—Commentary by Southern Daily
Yao Lifu loves to argue over trivial matters, rigidly adheres to legal provisions, has selfish motives, and wants to be famous!
—A Deputy Director of Qianjiang City Civil Affairs Bureau
Yao Lifu's motives are impure!
—A Secretary-General of Qianjiang City Government
Representative Yao is not the kind of person who sits on the toilet without doing their job. We rest assured!
—A Voter in Qianjiang City Education Election District
A broken nose became a backbone. Yao Lifu devoted himself wholeheartedly to Chinese democracy.
—Netizen "Yao Lifu Phenomenon" on Cadbury Network
Essentially, the "Yao Lifu Phenomenon" is a conflict between the awakening of grassroots democratic consciousness and the ruling level.
—A Staff Member of Hunan Provincial People's Congress
Representative Yao Lifu, the embodiment of grassroots democracy in China—his actions tell people that everyone has inherent rights, and only action can change survival.
In 2003, he was awarded the title of "25 Most Reform-Oriented Rural Reform Figures in New Era China." In 2004, he became the recipient of the annual public welfare figure award of Nanfangfang magazine and became a news figure widely reported by hundreds of domestic and international media. After 12 years of arduous self-nomination campaigns, he repeatedly spoke out with "I oppose" in the People's Congress meetings, actively reported to voters, opposed the retirement of the head of the People's Congress, and strongly demanded to be a full-time People's Representative to represent the people and supervise the government without compromise. A simple primary school teacher became the "Yao Lifu Phenomenon," a sensation in China and even the world. This book tells the story of a "non-traditional People's Representative" with a legendary political journey: he self-nominated for 12 consecutive years, persistently fighting without giving up; daring to shout "I oppose" loudly in the People's Congress meetings time and again, representing the people and supervising the government without hesitation; making friends with the poor, actively reporting to voters, demanding to be a full-time People's Representative, and opposing the retirement of the head of the People's Congress. A primary school teacher, who became a clear and distinct line in the development of grassroots democracy in contemporary China.