BEIJING - The National People's Congress (NPC) and its Standing Committee have the power to supervise other state organs including the government and judicial authorities.

Empowered by the Constitution, the NPC and its Standing Committee supervise the enforcement of the Constitution and laws and oversee the work of the State Council, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate.

People's congresses and their standing committees at local levels ensure that the Constitution, laws, administrative regulations and decisions from the superior congresses are abided by and enforced in their respective regions.

It is the duty of the NPC and its Standing Committee to check whether the State Council, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate follow the Constitution and laws in their work, whether they appropriately implement the principles and policies of the Communist Party of China and the state, whether their work accords with the fundamental interests of the people and whether officials do their jobs competently.

They also examine and approve national or local economic and social development plans and the implementation of such plans on the national or local level, in addition to examining and approving fiscal budgets and their implementation on the national or local level. The body also supervises the elections, appointments and dismissals of government officials and assesses officials' performances.