NPC & CPPCC Sessions 2013 >> Voices
“The pilot reform of the business registration system launched in Shenzhen and Zhuhai in South China’s Guangdong Province has been successful and will be extended to other regions on schedule.”
“China must resolutely carry out the recently unveiled 20 percent capital gains tax on home sales. The ministry has noticed the public controversy over the new tax. We will improve the policy if problems occur when the policy is implemented.”
“In a weak economy, companies have to cut their expenses. Laying off employees they don’t need provides one solution for reducing costs. But our State-owned companies are not allowed to downsize, which has burdened the companies and deterred reform of State-owned companies.”
“We have not received any information about that.”
“Non-performing loans (NPLs) in banking are quite low, both in terms of outstanding NPLs and in terms of the NPL ratio. Currently, outstanding NPLs are less than 500 billion yuan ($80.43 billion), while outstanding loans reached nearly 65 trillion yuan by the end of last year ... The NPL ratio is only 0.95, showing banking asset quality is good in general.”
“The newly established China Railway Corporation will cover the loans issued by commercial banks to the Ministry of Railways, the bonds issued by the ministry, and the loans received by the companies under the ministry from commercial banks. The government’s supporting policies on the ministry in terms of original bonds and loans will not change.”
Public calls for softening of NDRC power
One of China's chief reform engineers said Monday that governments will give more power to the market and society to lower standards of investment in response to questions regarding the State Council’s structural reforms.
“QQ and WeChat are two big social networking systems with different characters ... They are like the cities of Beijing and Shanghai. It is not right to say that one is developing better than the other, and it is not realistic to abandon whichever is less developed ... and there is no question of replacing one with the other.”
“As for the labor shortage, people are saying that the demographic dividend has gone, and that’s true, and it shows that keeping labor salaries low is not sustainable; and if you want to improve salaries, it will bring a hike in labor costs.”
“Currently, the majority of taxes are established by the State Council in the form of provisional regulations and rules. To protect the authority of taxation laws, the National People’s Congress and its Standing Committee should retrieve the power of taxation legislation and legal interpretation from the State Council.”
“I can receive more than 10 spam texts every day, which is very annoying. My company’s reputation has been harmed by spam texts. To better crack down on this practice, China must strengthen the current real name registration system for mobile phone numbers.”
“I am very sorry that Commerce Minister Chen Deming’s birthday present for his granddaughter failed to be delivered earlier this year, due to postal delivery difficulties occurring in government agencies. The State Post Bureau will enhance supervision and management of the express delivery industry, to urge express companies to provide better service for consumers.”
“Recent news about my transfer to China Investment Corporation is a groundless rumor. The China Securities Regulatory Commission will continue to crack down on insider trading.”
Education high priority for NPC deputies
Education has always been a major issue at the National People's Congress, but this year may prove to be the biggest debate on the topic in years. NPC deputies are proposing numerous suggestions to push policy reform and tackle important educational problems.
China welcomes US constructive role in Asia Pacific
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said here Saturday that China welcomes a constructive role of the United States in Asia Pacific, and the US should also respect China's interests and concerns in the region.
China says cyber space needs rules and cooperation, not war
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Saturday said "cyber space needs rules and cooperation, not war," while citing that China is vulnerable to cyber attacks and suffers such attacks most.
Sanctions not fundamental way of solving Korean Peninsula nuclear issue: FM
China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Saturday that sanctions are not the fundamental way of solving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.
Japan should not escalate tension over Diaoyu islands: China's FM
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Saturday urged Japan to take real steps to correct its mistakes over the Diaoyu islands issue, and work with China to prevent the current tension from escalating or even "getting out of control."
“China should promote the development of cities along the middle reach of the Yangtze River by building fast railways connecting provincial cities in that area, cutting taxes for companies there, and establishing regional markets for technology and equity trading.”
“China must reform the electricity market by establishing electric power companies at all levels where consumers are allowed to choose their electric power products and negotiate prices with the producers, to break the monopoly in the electricity market.”
“I believe that the current (personal income) tax threshold of 3,500 yuan ($565) should be further raised … it should be raised at least to the level of 6,000 to 7,000 yuan. Furthermore, the tax threshold should be adjusted every two years in accordance with the inflation level.”
“China should revise the current Commercial Banking Law by allowing banks to run more financial products, categorizing commercial banks based on their business risks, and imposing a different level of supervision on them.”
“China must enhance protection of the country’s well-known trademarks, and prevent opportunities for people to make money by maliciously registering and then re-selling trademarks. And trademark infringement activities must be punished severely until the guilty party goes bankrupt.”
“China is expected to start licensing telecom operators to offer services on its fourth-generation (4G) mobile phone network within 2013. It has made breakthroughs in R&D of 4G technologies, but is still facing restrictions in commercial use. The country needs to speed up base station construction and provide more terminal products, which require greater financial and technological input.”
“Infrastructure projects currently require the central government’s approval. Yet, the central government has little knowledge of local conditions and so its intervention in regional construction holds back efficiency at the local level. The government should focus more on construction quality and the environmental effects of infrastructure development.”
“To solve the problems emerging amid China’s efforts to urbanize, there are several factors that the government should keep in mind. [For example,] authorities should ensure that rural residents can have a better life after their hometowns are urbanized. They should be guaranteed the same privileges as city dwellers as well as the same improvements in their living conditions.”
“China’s GDP has grown to become the world’s second largest. But have citizens seen their lives improve as a result? Regardless of the country’s economic achievements, most people’s livelihoods have actually gotten worse. Only the rich keep growing richer. While corporate executives make millions of yuan every year, your average worker is only making a few thousand.”
On the distribution of educational resources
“Distribution of educational resources remains a serious problem for China. According to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s government work report, China spent 2.12 trillion yuan ($340.7 million) on education in 2012, marking the first time the country has ever spent more than 4 percent of GDP on education. But most of this money went to build facilities and hire teachers in cities, while rural areas were left wanting.”
“Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao highlighted the challenges facing the country’s environment in his government work report Tuesday. In response, I would urge local governments to focus on the quality of the country’s groundwater. This issue may be beyond the public’s oversight but it is definitely close to everyone’s daily life. According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection, nearly 200 major cities across China already have severely contaminated groundwater.”
Have you caught the wave sweeping China’s cyberspace as all eyes in the country turn toward the National People’s Congress? Chinese Web users are taking the opportunity to comment on proposals for issues they care about most, making for a flurry of political topics on the blogosphere.
Voice on the rich living in China
"I live well in China, and my business is also here. I earn a living selling water and I have no power-for-money deals or any ill-gotten wealth. Everything about me is transparent. That's why I don't feel pressure of being rich…I don't speak foreign languages and I'm not used to foreign food, so I won't emigrate." Zong Qinghou, beverage industry mogul and National People's Congress deputy
Voice on the sessions' difference compared to the previous
"Apart from the absence of flowers and banners, the biggest difference this time is no banquets. It was really toilsome in the past because of the banquets every night." Duan Qihua, vice president of Shanghai Association of Industry and Commerce and member of the 12th CPPCC National Committee
"When I took our director team to Zhuhai, a security guard told us smoking was not allowed. Everyone said 'OK, OK,' but nobody stopped. When we got off the flight in Singapore, none of them smoked. 'Don't you smoke?' I asked. 'No, no, the rules are strict here!'" Jackie Chan, movie star and member of the 12th CPPCC National Committee
Voice on domestically-produced milk powder
"But I still don't know where that one percent is?" Cui Yongyuan, CCTV host and member of the 12th CPPCC National Committee
“The government should release auto emission standards farther in advance for fair competition ... Foreign-funded car producers normally meet the emission standards of the EU and the US, but domestic brands do not. And it can take up to two years for domestic carmakers to meet those standards.”
On amendment of financial laws
“China should amend existing financial laws to include more regulations of Internet finance ... The country should also formulate national standards ... for payment technology, client identification technology and ID verification technology.”
On restrictions on financing by micro-credit companies
“Chinese policymakers should relax restrictions on financing by micro-credit companies, which mainly provide services to small and micro-enterprises, low-income groups and farmers, who usually face difficulties in getting financing from commercial banks.”
“Are you saying that no one else can produce a car just because you’ve made one?”
China's defense policy key to Asia's stability: spokesperson
China's defensive military policies have played a core role in maintaining peace and stability in Asia, a spokesperson for the annual session of China's national legislature said here Monday.
Voice on thoughts on key concerns of the people
Drinking clean water and non-toxic baby formula, breathing fresh air and having safe medicine: This is where people’s livelihood starts.
On establishing China's free port city
“The Zhoushan Islands in East China’s Zhejiang Province should aim to become China’s free port city by establishing a free trade zone, learning from the free port models of Singapore and Hong Kong, and creating a trade center for China’s commodity storage, transferring and processing.”
On deterring monopoly expansion of China's State-owned oil giants
“China should gradually split the refining and retail businesses of the country’s three State-owned petro-groups – Sinopec, PetroChina and China National Offshore Oil Corporation – as a way to deter the monopoly expansion of the State giants.”
“Our government should establish a housing supply system, which offers affordable houses to every family of urban residents based on their monthly income, in order to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor and to provide security to young people so that they can live and work in peace and set up their own businesses.”
Send 'black sheep' of milk industry to prison: Chinese legislator
A national lawmaker has urged strict legal supervision for China's milk industry, suggesting that those "black sheep" in the sector should be sent to prison.
Student calls for same-sex marriage
A college student from Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, sent letters to 100 deputies of the National People’s Congress (NPC) on Wednesday, asking them to submit proposals on the legislation of same-sex marriage next week.
“I think the Communist Party’s new government should weaken CNPC and Sinopec. These interest groups have too much power.”
Voice on a female NPC deputy in Zhanjiang
Can those who violate the law and discipline represent the people’s interests?
Voices from Sino Weibo @Wangyuansheji Beijing has entered the season of the two sessions again. As ordinary people, we do not expect grand suggestions. We just want the government to take specific and careful reform measures every time. Small changes are often the most practical and meet our needs. @Hua’antianshinanren If I were a NPC deputy, I would propose paying tax through online payment service system. If the government performs well and fulfills its commitment, we will confirm the deal. Otherwise, we can withdraw the payment. Then the officials will beg us: Dear, please give a good rating; dear, choose me and I will ensure a quality service. @huluwale I saw the news about a deputy proposing that the number of women’s toilet should be increased. As a female, I think this is a really good and practical proposal. At the same time, I also feel sad to see that at a grand occasion like this deputies are paying attention to such trivial things. @Luozhiyuan I have a small proposal for the two sessions. An independent anti-corruption organization should be established. We can refer to Hong Kong’s experience. We must drive corrupt officials out. They damage the social order and undermine the rules of the market economy. @Liangguangyunwushanren Some delegates do not make proposals. There are generally two reasons. First, they only see the title as a halo, and they lack the capability to engage in political discussion. Second, they don’t want to criticize their leaders. @Feitianyushu I think this year’s two sessions should have a very special focus – the relationship between local and central authorities. The relationship is very subtle at the moment and local governments may want to share more interests. @Xuanyiqing All the delegates should use Weibo to publish their proposals and listen to the public. This will save lots of time that we waste on some childish proposals. @Qinghuawanghe The two sessions are criticized as a showcase for the deputies. The public wants them to come up with proposals about people’s livelihood. The media should pay more attention to the plausibility of the proposals rather than creating “news.” @Zhaoyanruchu I am attending the CPPCC discussion by deputies from medical circles. The speeches by the deputies changed my attitude toward the effectiveness of the two sessions. Listening to the voices of the deputies, I could feel their resolution to promote reform and put proposals into practice.
Open time:
CPPCC - March 3
NPC - March 5
Location:
Beijing
Report on the work of the government
Report on the work of standing committee of NPC
