Repeated proposals, repeated failures

Repeated proposals, repeated failures

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Legalizing Sex Trade

While serving as a deputy to the National People's Congress since 2003, Chi Susheng has proposed to make prostitution legal.

Voices:
Since the purpose of legitimizing prostitution is to protect the sex workers, instead of encouraging them to sell their body, it would be much more effective to target the clients who are the driving force of the sex industry. --Wu Meng, a reporter with the Global Times

There should be a clearer end goal for prostitution crackdowns. Are the crackdowns meant to prevent the spread of STDs and AIDS or is it to build a healthy environment for children? Is it possible to build a prostitute-free country? How much of the sex trade should we as a society put up with? --Global Times editorial

Related reports:
Years of advocacy to protect prostitutes inches ahead despite protest
The oldest profession seeks respect

Source:Globaltimes.cn Published: 2012-3-14 15:29:00

Deputies attend the third plenary meeting of the Fifth Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2012. Photo: Xinhua

Editor's Note

The annual convening of the "two sessions" can be a frenetic two weeks of lobbying, persuading and ultimately disappointment for some deputies and delegates who bring important issues to the floor. Over the years many bills have been proposed and have repeatedly failed.

Failed Proposals

	Financial disclosure of officials
	Since 2006, Han Deyun has proposed that the government initiate a system that would require government officials to disclose their assets, and show how they earned them. Such legislation, they say, may be an effective way to curb corruption.
	Voices: Meanwhile, based on our national reality, we need to adopt adequate studies and research for system design, including the main scope of declaration subjects, the scope of asset declaration, whether the asset declaration results should be open to the public, and whether several steps are needed during implementation, and so on.--Han Deyun, a deputy to the National People's Congress Strict supervision will help end officials moving their wealth (to avoid punishment) while they're under investigation. The definition of assets should include large amounts of cash, securities, property, and motor vehicles.--Xin Xiangyang, a research fellow on Marxism with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
	Related Reports: Teacher discloses personal assets on Internet to inspire transparency Baby steps in asset declaration still way forward

	Family planning policy
	This year will be the fifth time Ji Baocheng has proposed that the government relax the family planning policy. He said it's time that China allows all people to have more than one child.
	Voices: It is the family planning policy that in turn reduces the discrimination especially in rural areas against female children. The Chinese government, since it has long stuck to this policy, has to impress people with the idea that female and male offspring are equally fortunate.--Yao Yuan, a professor specializing in demographics and the aging society at Renmin University of China The policy of permitting second children will gradually come into being as it is not just something wanted by Chinese citizens, but also something that current conditions demand.--Li Jianmin, a professor at the Population Development Research Institute of Nankai University and vice chairman of the China Population Association
	Related reports: Family planning at a crossroads Family planning policy changes mooted Family planning officers lose powers but stick to their duty

	Animal protection law		In 2006 and 2007, NPC deputy Zhou Ping, a hot line operator from Chengdu, called for an animal welfare law and the elimination of bear farming. He Yue, a lawyer and law professor from Tianjin, has also twice suggested that the country pass a law to protect small animals. She also didn't get a satisfactory reply from the authorities.
	Since the founding of the China Small Animal Protection Association in 1992, many NPC deputies and CPPCC delegates have urged the country to pass laws to curb animal abuse, and protect their welfare. China has promulgated laws to protect wildlife but not one that protects dogs or other domesticated animals.
	Voices: The traditional relationship between humans and animals is still an obstacle to passing such a law. -- Zhang Dan, founder of the China Animal Protection Media Saloon. Animal cruelty legislation was first drafted in 2009, though it has not yet passed, and building a legal framework that establishes the principle of animal suffering as worthy of consideration, even in a small case like this, may be a more meaningful step than attempting to use the nascent public sentiment against animal cruelty.--Lin Bodi, a freelance writer based in Beijing
	Related reports: Activists call for boycott of country's largest foie gras farm Documenting the slaughter

	Same-sex Marriage
	Legalizing same-sex marriage has become one of the most widely reported issues that get nowhere on the agenda of the two sessions. Suggestions to allow people of the same sex to marry have only been formally submitted at the NPC and CPPCC meetings a couple of times. Li Yinhe has been pushing the cause since 2001.
	Voices: Sham marriages between gay men and straight women are far more common than many people realize.--Zhang Beichuan, a professor at Qingdao University in Shandong Province I personally believe that it is too early now for Chinese society to accept same-sex marriages, which is contradictory to our traditional culture.--Xia Xueluan, an expert on civil administration and a sociologist at Peking University
	Related reports: Gay advocates hope leaders see marriage poll Gay marriage puts a smile on Vietnam public's face Just who needs a cure

	Reform on Official Vehicles
	Over the course of nine years during the two sessions Ye Qing has called on reforms regarding the vehicles that officials use.
	Voices: The later the official cars reform is carried out, the more difficult the reform is. --Ye Qing, a deputy of the National People's Congress (NPC) and deputy director of the Statistics Bureau in Hubei Province According to non-governmental stats, the total number of the country's government vehicles is around 3-3.5 million, and the cost a staggering 300-400 billion yuan. Who pays the bills? You guessed it, the taxpayer.--Ai Xiaowei, a Beijing-based journalist
	Related reports: Shanghai mayor vows 'transparency' with official vehicles Government to limit use of cars

	Transparency on Budget
	Since 2007, Jiang Hong has urged the government to disclose its budget and also for it to maintain a level of clarity for others to understand.
	Voices: Honestly speaking, proper and thorough disclosure of statistics should take place in the budget process, which sets a standard for officials to be held accountable for. The government shouldn't inform the public after the money has been spent.--Jiang Hong, member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and director of the Center for Public Policy Research at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics
	Related reports: More departments disclose budgets Lawmakers call for greater transparency in budgets Chinese Premier promises transparency in government budgets

	Reform on Pension System
	For the past six years Wang Chunyun has called on reforms for the so-called dual pension system, which allows civil servants to enjoy higher pensions than company employees once they retire. She has stressed that the pensions should be balanced while narrowing the gap between civil servants and company employees.
	Voices: China's pension system is still in its infancy, and the pension fund scale should be expanded to cover more people, with more diversified investment practices to ensure its sustainability.--Yin Jiping, a teacher from Sociology Department at Qinghai Normal University Today, achieving full pension coverage largely depends on the solid financial capability of the nation. However, as the Chinese society is witnessing increasing social conflicts, more than a few tend to seek to divide the interests of the government and the public.--Global Times editorial
	Related reports: Pension funds one solution to inflation fears China's aging population big challenge to pension system: minister Empty accounts cloud public pension system

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