The highest state organ is the National People's Congress, the legislative body of the state. It is composed of deputies elected by the provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities. The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the permanent body of the congress, conducts the election. The congress meets once a year in ordinary session and may be called into extraordinary session by the Standing Committee or by the request of one-fifth of the members of the congress. The body serves a five-year term.
All deputies have the right to initiate legislation.
Constitutional amendments must be proposed by the Standing Committee or by at least one-fifth of the National People's Congress deputies. They are approved by a two-thirds majority vote. Statutes and resolutions need the approval of a simple majority of deputies. The Standing Committee is composed of a chairperson, vice chairpersons, a secretary general, and other members, all of whom are elected by the National People's Congress. It also carries out functions of the National People's Congress when that body is not in session.