Political season takes off
The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's top political advisory body, opened its annual session on Sunday, signifying the start of the most important political season finalizing the central government's leadership transition.
About 2,200 members of the 12th CPPCC National Committee will discuss major issues including the election of new leaders of the top advisory body and proposals for the coming National People's Congress (NPC) on Tuesday. They will also review government work reports and hear recommendations for improvement.
"This year's two sessions have a distinct feature, which is to witness the transition of the top government leaders," Yun Jie, director of the administration research department at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday, adding that a smooth leadership transition is crucial to China's future over at least the next five years.
Chi Fulin, director of domestic reform think tank the China (Hainan) Institute for Reform and Development, expects the meetings to shed light on China's future reforms because NPC deputies and CPPCC members will make proposals to the government on issues concerning people's livelihoods and state affairs.
Lü Xinhua, a CPPCC spokesman, said 840 proposals had been submitted by members as of Saturday noon. The Global Times found many of the proposals tackle issues including fighting corruption, institutional restructuring and environmental protection, particularly curbing air and water pollution.
"A major challenge facing China's new leaders is striking a balance to secure both the stability and development potential of China," said Chi.
Li Jiaxiang, chief of the Civil Aviation Administration of China and vice minister of the Ministry of Transport, told reporters on Sunday that a main principle of future reform is to simplify government functions and allow the market and society to play greater roles in governance.
"We should try to optimize and raise the efficiency of our governance," said Li, who is also a CPPCC member. He refused to respond to questions regarding imminent ministry restructuring.
During the opening meeting, Jia Qinglin, CPPCC National Committee Chairman, delivered his work report for the CPPCC National Committee's Standing Committee.
Jia said China had overcome "severe challenges" and made "extraordinary achievements" in reform, opening up and socialist modernization over the past five years, noting the CPPCC had carried on, made innovations in, and consolidated and developed its cause.
Over the past five years, a total of 28,930 proposals were submitted by CPPCC National Committee members, 26,583 of which had been handled as of February 20, said Wan Gang, vice chairman of the 11th CPPCC National Committee.
Founded in 1949, the CPPCC consists of elite figures of Chinese society willing to serve the think tank for the government and for the country's legislative and judicial organs.
New work styles have been seen during the meeting in response to calls for changes after the 18th Party congress. Jia spent 47 minutes delivering his report, a 14-minute decrease compared to last time, which was hailed as a positive sign.
No flowers were placed on- site to welcome the members and paper documents were replaced with electronic ones, which have saved more than 2 million yuan ($321,400) in expenses. Also, no traffic controls were implemented near the Great Hall of the People, although security checks for reporters remain strict.
Work styles are not the only highlight, with the annual session also stressing its increasing role in the country's political arena, which was called for at the 18th Party congress.
"The role of the CPPCC has been strengthened all these years, especially because the media has offered members more chances to voice their opinions, and the government has been more willing to listen to them," Yun said, adding that whether the new government leaders will allow the CPPCC to have a greater say in politics remains to be seen.
Wang Song, a member from Taiwan Minzhu Zizhi Tongmeng, voiced his support for the changes as he was reelected as a member again this year. He will continue to push forward proposals not only regarding cross-Strait relations, but also relating to civil affairs, including food safety and transportation. The session is scheduled to conclude on March 12.
Yu Jincui and Xinhua contributed to this story
