Editor's Note:

The annual sessions of the National People's Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference started in Beijing on Thursday. Thousands of legislators and political advisors from across the country are drawing media attention as they raise their proposals and discuss key social and economic issues.

The Global Times, however, has interviewed a few people outside the media spotlight whose thoughts about various issues carry no less weight than the lawmakers.

Mang Ping, professor of environmental ethics at the Central Institute of Socialism

Wildlife

Proposal: The term "utilizing wild animals" should be deleted from China's first proposed amendment to its wildlife protection law.

Currently, the draft has gone against the original intention of protecting wild animals. We should make it clear that the draft aims to protect wild animals and their habitats, save endangered animals, and maintain eco-balance. Therefore, it should not provide legal basis for "utilizing" wildlife. The government should shrink the industry which breeds and utilizes wild animals and reduce the harm done to biological diversity.

Qin An, cyber security expert at the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy

 Cyber security

Proposal: Cyberspace has become a new area in dire need of government management. Internet fraud affects the safety of people's property while online rumors may kill people, or even overturn the State.

Internet crime and cyber terrorism have become the people's common enemy. Only if the government regards cyber security as the biggest livelihood issue could we stick together to create a high-quality life.

Ah Qiang, well-known gay rights activist and founder of the NGO Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays China

Gay rights

Proposal: Legalize same-sex marriage

Statistics show LGBT people account for between 3 and 10 percent of the whole population. LGBT people should have the right to marry legally. The legalization of same-sex marriage would be a way to get rid of discrimination against the group.

Mu Guangzong, professor at Peking University's Institute of Population Research

Second children

Proposal: The government should encourage couples have a second child, such as abolishing the social maintenance fees.

A significant problem with China's population is its unbalanced structure, which will be aggravated by the growing aging society and gender imbalance. Meanwhile, more Chinese couples who are qualified for two-child policy are reluctant to do so due to economic pressure and other reasons.

Now it's time for China to change its concept from simply controlling the population to optimizing its structure, allowing more births and ultimately abandoning the family planning policy. 

Hong Yuan, expert with the Center for Arms and Nonproliferation Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

Globalize the PLA

Proposal: The PLA must be a "global army" to safeguard China's interests around the world. China needs to ensure the legitimacy of its military base abroad as well as their overseas actions by signing bilateral agreement with the countries concerned. Domestic laws to grant the legitimacy of the PLA's overseas actions are also needed, as China carries many overseas tasks such as peacekeeping and escort missions. 

Song Zhongping, Beijing-based military expert

Defense budget

Proposal: The defense budget should be increased.

The defense budget should be increased and soldiers paid higher salaries to increase their sense of mission and honor. More financial resources are also needed in the research and development in the military sector, as well as a sound mechanism to attract more scientific and military talents to join the army and stay there.

Bai Yunwen, policy director of Beijing-based NGO Greenovation Hub

Climate change

Proposal: Boost China's efforts to fight climate change through the China South-South Climate Cooperation Fund

The fund is not only an important contribution China has made to international cooperation on climate change, but a significant approach for China to participate in global climate governance:

Ensure the transparency and accountability of the operation mechanism to avoid corruption;

Preferentially support small businesses to export green technology; recognize Chinese NGOs' role in facilitating communication;

Quantify the emission reductions of the projects supported, while integrating China's funding and technologies with local knowledge of recipient countries;

Preferentially support energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy projects; take prudence when endorsing controversial projects;

Adopt International environmental and social standards as well best practices in implementing projects and financing.

Guo Kefan, researcher at the Tibetan Academy of Social Sciences

Tibet governance

Proposal: There is no confusion over the basic political system or the key policies that are needed in the Tibet Autonomous Region in order to boost its long-term development and stability. What we need to focus on is improving the grass-roots governing structures and enhance social governing ability. The village-level governing bodies are overlapping with each other. The roles of the village Party committees, the villagers' self-governing committee, the working team dispatched from the county and other officials need to be sorted out.