Among the 3, 000 delegates of the 2013 National People's Congress, the percentage of blue-collar workers and peasants has risen to 13% from 8% in 2012.

WSJ: An Unhappy Middle in the Middle Kingdom

Juchitan, a city known for its dominant women, has a tradition of indigenous intellectualism and in 1981 elected the Coalition of Workers, Peasants and Students to its city government.

BBC: Oaxaca festival in Mexico highlights indigenous pride