Soy sauce delegate

酱油委员 (jiàng yóu wěi yuán): soy sauce committee members

The term “soy sauce committee members” is derived from the phrase “ get soy source”: One who is “getting soy sauce” is just listening as a spectator, without making substantive comments or contributions.

Many Chinese citizens have complained that the structure and bloated size of the National People’s Congress (around 3,000) render most of its members powerless. This is highlighted by the fact that most proposals, such as those in the 2011 session were supported by over 99% of the votes cast.

During the 2011 Two Sessions, people dubbed the committee members who did nothing beside apply their rubber stamp, “soy sauce representatives.” This video makes fun of the two sessions and makes reference to the “soy sauce representatives” who either do nothing or who “just sit around on the toilet waiting for inspiration to come to them.”