Source: CCTV.com

03-03-2009 19:14

Special Report:   2009 NPC & CPPCC Sessions

Raising proposals on major social and political issues is the responsibility of all CPPCC members. They work to protect the interests of the Chinese people while also addressing common concerns. The major worries this year are all about the economy.

The first day of this year's CPPCC session, and over six hundred proposals have already poured in. Here at the proposal office, the staff are counting, recording, and sorting the documents. But the trend for this year was clear right from the start. Economic issues are dominating advisors' concerns.

Liu Xiaobing, Deputy Head of CPPCC proposal Office

Liu Xiaobing, Deputy Head of CPPCC proposal Office said "The majority of the proposals we've received so far aim to ensure the stable and rapid development of the economy, and to minimize the impact of the crisis on people's livelihoods. Many members are concerned about employment under the current circumstances."

As the people hope for an economic turn-around, CPPCC members are brainstorming on how to effect change. Their ideas will be compared and negotiated during discussions resulting in final proposals to the National People's Congress.

Wang Wenbiao, one CPPCC member said "My proposal is on financing for small-and-medium sized enterprises. It not only concerns a company's individual survival and development, but also how these enterprises face the economic crisis collectively, how to keep growth and employment, maintain stability, and ensure harmony. "

Zhao Mantang, one CPPCC member said "One of my proposals is on the employment situation among rural migrant workers. This is a major concern of the government. And there are hot debates over various solutions to this problem. It's about people's livelihoods, so it's both economic and social."

CPPCC proposals are not legally binding. But ministries relevant to these proposals will examine the ideas to determine whether they should go forward. Departments in charge of handling the proposals are required to give authors a formal reply.

The top advisory body has received five-thousand and fifty-six proposals since the first session of the eleventh CPPCC. Four thousand seven hundred and thirty eight have been registered. By February the twentieth, nearly all had been dealt with according to procedure.

The deadline for this year's in-session submissions is March ninth.

Click for more news in Biz China>>

 

Editor:Xiong Qu