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NPC ISSUE 2 · 2018 《中国人大》对外版 National People’s Congress of China The View from The SummiT Li Zhanshu, chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, attends a symposium on the study, publicizing and imple- mentation of the Constitution in Beijing on March 27.
Li said “Both the life and author- ity of Constitution lie in its implementation,” and asked every Chinese to be “a loyal supporter, active follower and firm defender of the Constitu- tion.” Li said the constitu- tional amendment, which was adopted at the first session of the 13th NPC in March, fully embodies the major innova- tive achievements in theory, practice and systems made by the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the people through practice.
Rao Aimin SPECIAL REPORT 8 The view from the summit Contents SCO Summit Special Report 6 Carrying forward the Shanghai Spirit to build a community with a shared future 8 The view from the summit 12 A vision for common development 16 Li Zhanshu visits Ethiopia, Mozambique and Namibia 21 Li Zhanshu meets AU Commission deputy chair, eyeing closer China- Africa cooperation Focus 26 Supervision 22 Li Zhanshu inspects enforcement of Air Pollution Control Law NPC Tibetan delegation pays visit to Canada and US 28 Workshop for new NPC deputies held 29 Chinese religious personnel study Constitution to reinforce national identity 4 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA NPC 22 Li Zhanshu inspects enforcement of Air Pollution Control Law 30 Law to protect heroes’ honor takes effect 34 A city’s legend ISSUE 2 · 2018 Legislation 30 People 42 Law to protect heroes’ honor takes effect Legendary ‘Flying Tigers’ widow, Anna Chennault, dies at 94 32 43 An amendment proposed to revise Individual Income Tax Law Another side to Flying Tigers’ story Reform and Opening Up NPC Deputy 34 A city’s legend 40 The Shenzhen miracle 41 China remains committed to opening up ISSUE 2 · 2018 45 Threading tradition into the present day COVER: The 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit convenes in Qingdao, East China’s Shandong Province from June 9 to 10.
VCG NPC General Editorial Office Address: 23 Xijiaominxiang, Xicheng District Beijing 100805,P.R.China Tel: (86-10)6309-8540 (86-10)8308-3891 E-mail: zgrd@npc.gov.cn ISSN 1674-3008 CN 11-5683/D Price:RMB35 Edited by The People’s Congresses Journal Published by The People’s Congresses Journal Printed by Beijing Zhong Ke Printing Co., Ltd. in China 5 SCO SUMMIT Carrying forward the Shanghai Spirit to build a community with a shared future Remarks by Xi Jinping President of the People’s Republic of China At the 18th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Qingdao, June 10, 2018 Dear colleagues, In this lovely season of June, I am delighted to welcome all of you to the picturesque city of Qingdao for the 18th meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Over 2,500 years ago, Confucius, the great Chinese philosopher, had this to say: “What a joy to have friends coming from afar!” It is therefore of special significance that I host my distinguished guests in Shandong, the home province of Confucius, for a summit that will chart the future course for the SCO.

In five days, the SCO will celebrate its 17th birthday, an occasion for us to review our organization’s remarkable jour- ney and important achievements.
Over the past 17 years, guided by the SCO Charter and the Treaty on Long-Term Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Between the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, we have forged a constructive partnership featuring non-alliance, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party.
In doing so, we have achieved a major breakthrough in the theories and practices of inter- national relations, created a new model for regional coopera- tion, and made new contribution to peace and development in our region.

Today, the SCO stands as a comprehensive regional coop- eration organization that covers the largest area and popula- tion in the world.

Its members account for about 20 percent of the global economy and 40 percent of its population.
The SCO has four observer States and six dialogue partners as well as extensive cooperation linkages with the United Na- tions and other international and regional organizations.

With its ever rising international influence, the SCO has be- come an important force for promoting global peace and de- velopment and upholding international justice and fairness.

The SCO enjoys strong vitality and momentum of cooper- ation.
This, in the final analysis, is attributed to the Shanghai Spirit, a creative vision initiated and followed through by the SCO that champions mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development.
The Shanghai Spirit, transcending outdated concepts such as clash of civilizations, Cold War and zero-sum mentality, has opened a new page in the history of international relations and gained increasing endorsement of the international community.
Dear colleagues, Mencius, another ancient Chinese philosopher, aptly ob- served, “When Confucius looks down from the peak of the Dongshan Mountain, the local Kingdom of Lu comes into view; when he looks down from the peak of Mount Tai, the whole land comes into view.” At a time when the world is undergoing major developments, transformation and adjust- ment, we must aim high and look far, and keep pace with the underlying trend of both the world and our times to push for more progress of human civilization.
While hegemony and power politics still persist in this world, the growing call for a more just and equitable inter- national order must be heeded.

Democracy in international relations has become an unstoppable trend of the times.

While various traditional and non-traditional security threats keep emerging, the force for peace will prevail, for se- curity and stability are what people long for.
While unilateralism, trade protectionism and backlash against globalization are taking new forms, in this global village of ours where countries’ interests and future are so interconnected, the pursuit of cooperation for mutual benefit represents a surging trend.

While we keep hearing such rhetoric as the clash of civi- lizations or the superiority of one civilization over another, it is the diversity of civilizations that sustains human prog- ress.
Indeed, mutual learning between different cultures is a shared aspiration of all peoples.

6 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at the 18th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Qin- gdao on June 10.

Li Xueren Dear colleagues, The world today faces both opportunities and challenges.

The road ahead, bumpy as it may be, will lead to a promising future.
We should stay committed to the Shanghai Spirit, sur- mount difficulties, defuse risks and meet challenges head on.

-- We should uphold innovative, coordinated, green, open and inclusive development, achieve coordinated social and economic progress of various countries and resolve issues caused by unbalanced development.

We should bridge the gap in development and promote shared prosperity.

-- We should pursue common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security.
We should reject the Cold War men- tality and confrontation between blocs and oppose the prac- tices of seeking absolute security of oneself at the expense of others, so as to achieve security of all.

-- We should promote open and inclusive cooperation for win-win outcomes.

We should reject self-centered, short- sighted and closed-door policies.

We should uphold WTO rules and support the multilateral trading system so as to build an open world economy.
-- We should champion equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness between civilizations.

It is important that we overcome cultural misunderstanding, clash and suprema- cy through exchanges, mutual learning and coexistence.

-- We should follow the principle of achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration in engaging in global governance.
We should reform and improve the global governance system, and work with all other countries to build a community with shared future for humanity.

Dear colleagues, The Shanghai Spirit is our shared asset, and the SCO is our shared home.
We should, guided by the Shanghai Spirit, work closely to build an SCO community with a shared future, move toward a new type of international relations, and build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys last- ing peace, universal security, and common prosperity.

To this end, I would like to propose the following: First, we need to build up strength of unity and mutual trust.
We should ensure full implementation of the Qingdao Declaration, the Outline for the Implementation of the Treaty on Long-Term Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooper- ation, and other documents.

We should respect each other’s choice of development paths and accommodate each other’s core interests and major concerns.

We should enhance mu- tual understanding by putting ourselves in others’ positions and boost harmony and unity by seeking common ground and setting aside differences.
This will enhance the cohesion and appeal of our organization.

Second, we need to strengthen the foundation for shared peace and security.

We need to actively implement the 2019- 2021 program of cooperation for combating “three evil forces” of terrorism, separatism and extremism, continue to ISSUE 2 · 2018 7 SCO SUMMIT conduct the “Peace Mission” and other joint counter-terror- ism exercises, and enhance cooperation on defense security, law enforcement security and information security.
We need to give full play to the role of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group to facilitate peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan.

China offers to train 2,000 law enforcement officers for all parties in the next three years through China National Insti- tute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Coopera- tion and other platforms to enhance law enforcement capac- ity building.

Third, we need to build a powerful engine to achieve common development and prosperity.
We should increase complementarity of our respective development strategies, continue to advance the Belt and Road cooperation under the principle of delivering shared benefits through extensive consultation and joint contribution, accelerate regional trade facilitation, and step up the implementation of the Agree- ment on International Road Transport Facilitation and other cooperation documents.
China will welcome all parties to the first China International Import Expo to be held in Shanghai in November this year.

The Chinese government supports building a demonstration area in Qingdao for China-SCO local economic and trade cooperation, and will set up a com- mittee of legal services for SCO member States to provide legal support for business cooperation.
In this connection, I hereby announce that China will set up an RMB 30 billion equivalent special lending facility with- in the framework of the SCO Inter-bank Consortium.

Fourth, we need to forge closer ties through cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
We should actively implement the outline for environmental protection cooperation and other documents, ensure the continued success of such well- recognized programs as the youth exchange camp, and secure solid progress in cooperation in education, science and tech- nology, culture, tourism, health, disaster relief and media.
In the next three years, China will provide 3,000 training op- portunities of human resources development for SCO mem- ber States to enhance public understanding of and support for the SCO family.

China offers to provide meteorological services to all parties using its Fengyun-2 weather satellites.

Fifth, we need to expand partnership networks of interna- tional cooperation.
By intensifying exchanges and coopera- tion with SCO observer States, dialogue partners, and other countries in our region, by enhancing partnerships with the United Nations and other international and regional organi- zations, and by engaging in dialogue with the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other international fi- nancial institutions, we can contribute our share to resolving hotspot issues and improving global governance.
Dear colleagues, Thanks to the support and assistance of all the other SCO member States over the past year, China has completed its SCO presidency and hosted this summit.

Here I wish to ex- press my sincere thanks to you all.

China will maintain active, practical and friendly cooperation with other SCO member States to ensure the full implementation of the consensus reached at this summit and support Kyrgyzstan in its SCO presidency.

Let us join hands to create an even brighter fu- ture for the SCO!
Thank you.

The view from the summit The SCO commits to building a shared future for mankind in Qingdao By Wen Qing 8 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA President Xi Jinping (fourth R) pose for a group photo with leaders of other member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Qingdao, East China’s Shandong Province, on June 10.
Gao Jie The view from the summit The 18th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Mem- ber States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organiza- tion (SCO) kicked off in China’s picturesque coast- al city of Qingdao on June 9.

SCO member States demonstrated unity by further con- solidating the Shanghai Spirit, which was premised on mu- tual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity and pursuit of common development.
The Qingdao Summit was the first gathering of SCO heads of State since the addition of India and Pakistan as full member States in 2017.

“We should, guided by the Shanghai Spirit, work closely to build an SCO community with a shared future, move toward a new type of international relations, and build an open, in- clusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity,” President Xi Jin- ping said.
During the meeting, the SCO leaders signed documents concerning security, trade facilitation and people-to-people exchanges.

as a link between the past and future development of the SCO.

According to Ling, the summit reiterated the Shanghai Spirit as the principle for dealing with member State rela- tions, indicating that the basic ideology of the organization will remain unchanged with its expansion.
Security protector Ling Shengli, an associate professor at China Foreign Af- fairs University, told Beijing Review that the meeting served Established as the Shanghai Five (China, Russia, Kazakh- stan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan) in 1996 with the objective ISSUE 2 · 2018 9 SCO SUMMIT The picture shows the logo of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization with a Chinese and Russian message welcoming visitors to Qingdao, host city of the 2018 summit of the organization.
Xing Guangli of settling outstanding border disputes, Uzbekistan was wel- comed into the fold in 2001, marking the creation of the SCO.

Since its foundation, regional security has always been at the top of the SCO’s agenda.

In his speech during the Qing- dao Summit, Xi stressed the need to cooperate on combating terrorism, separatism and extremism, and conduct a “Peace Mission.” He said China would train 2,000 law enforcement officers for other SCO members in the next three years.
The Qingdao Summit was the first gathering of SCO heads of State since the addition of India and Pakistan as full mem- ber States in 2017.

With the enlargement of the SCO, the construction and maintenance of internal mechanisms is the core issue, Ling noted.

The original six members achieved trust and rapport through years of cooperation on regional security and eco- nomic issues, while India and Pakistan were absent from this process.
At the Qingdao Summit, a series of documents were signed and consensus reached, which ensure the future direc- tion of SCO development.

“The SCO brings peace and stability to Central Asia.

With the participation of Pakistan and India, the organization looks set to play a positive role in helping to resolve their dis- putes and create stability for South Asia,” Khan Abdul Wajid, a reporter with the Independent News Pakistan, told Beijing Review.
India and Pakistan have long been troubled by territorial and other disputes, and there is concern that they will bring this historical baggage with them into the SCO.

Nonetheless, many observers are remaining positive on this issue.

According to Ling, the Shanghai Spirit and all SCO agree- ments advocate the peaceful resolution of disputes among member States.

Adherence to the Shanghai Spirit and align- ment with SCO agreements are a precondition for the par- ticipation of India and Pakistan in the SCO.
Therefore, they should respect these commitments and promise to deal with disputes under the framework of the SCO.

Moreover, the SCO has successfully helped its member States to solve border issues in the past, and thus it could provide experience for India and Pakistan in areas such as avoiding military confrontation in border areas through ceas- ing military deployment and other measures to enhance re- ciprocal trust, Ling said.
It is neither the intention of India nor Pakistan to clash with one another, and while bilateral efforts to deal with dis- putes have failed, the SCO provides a multilateral platform which, according to Ling, could work as a buffer and decrease the possibility of military conflict.

Wajid agreed with Ling, noting that Pakistan and India could have more opportunities for communication through the meetings that take place at many levels under the frame- work of the SCO.
Frequent and comprehensive bilateral com- munication at these meetings could enhance mutual under- 10 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA standing between the two, he added.

Avinash Agrawal, an Indian reporter, said that India and Pakistan would not bring their conflicts to the SCO and would instead benefit from the platforms for bilateral com- munication that the organization offers.
According to him, more communication platforms are welcomed by the two countries as they provide opportunities for their respective leaders to establish personal contact.

He also mentioned In- dia’s commitment to closer ties with Central Asian countries and its hope to import more energy from the region.

It is then in India’s interests to thaw relations with Pakistan in order to realize this plan.
India and Pakistan are both victims of terrorism, which is an international issue and cannot be resolved by any single nation.

In Agrawal’s opinion, India can gain experience from other member States, with the SCO having foiled hundreds of terrorism-related activities and having made significant con- tributions to the security of the region.
Regional prosperity The SCO became the world’s largest regional organiza- tion upon the inclusion of India and Pakistan, accounting for almost half of the world’s population, 20 percent of its total GDP and over 60 percent of the Eurasian landmass.

Through years of development, it has gradually evolved from a secu- rity bloc to one with more comprehensive goals, and building a community with a shared future for mankind is a common objective in the Qingdao Declaration of the SCO leaders.
According to the document, the member States support an open world economy, the strengthening of an open, inclusive, transparent, non-discriminative and rules-based multilateral trade system, the prevention of the fragmentation of interna- tional trade relations and the rejection of trade protectionism in any form.
Yang Jin, an associate researcher with the Chinese Acade- my of Social Sciences, pointed out that the levels of economic development among SCO member States are different, and yet they are consistent in defending an open world economy.

Concrete measures to facilitate regional cooperation were also announced at the summit, including a plan for China to establish a 30-billion-yuan ($4.7 billion) equivalent special lending facility within the framework of the SCO Inter-bank Consortium.
Such moves evince the principle of mutual ben- efit and the pursuit of common interests embodied by the Shanghai Spirit, Yang said.

Wajid referred to the special lending facility as one of the highlights of the summit.

Uncertainty abounds in today’s world as unilateralism and anti-globalization prevail.

China’s efforts to promote regional cooperation and prosperity serve as a model for the whole world, he said.
According to Yang, member States should use the SCO as a platform to coordinate their development strategies with others, especially to align with the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative which is committed to enhancing regional connectivity and common prosperity.

Connecting hearts Besides security and economic cooperation, the SCO also attaches great importance to people-to-people exchanges.
Cultural diversity is a key characteristic of the SCO as an or- ganization of multiple religions, including Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism and Christianity.

According to the Shanghai Spirit, member States should respect cultural diversity.

Since China took over the SCO rotating presidency in June 2017, many cultural exchange ac- tivities have been organized, including the SCO international marathon in Kunming, the first SCO media summit in Beijing and the first SCO film festival in Qingdao.
All these activi- ties created opportunities for direct exchange between the peoples of SCO nations.

The Qingdao Declaration reiterated that to achieve mutual enrichment and closer people-to-people relations, member States should maintain bilateral and multilateral cooperation in culture, education, science and technology, healthcare, tourism and the media.

China is making its own contributions to furthering ex- changes between the peoples.
Over the next three years, Chi- na will provide 3,000 human resource training opportunities for other SCO member States to enhance public understand- ing of and support for the SCO family, as well as providing meteorological services for all parties using its Fengyun-2 weather satellites.

For now, people-to-people exchanges within the SCO are far from sufficient, and opinions on how to enhance these interactions are varied.
According to Agrawal, movies are an important way to spread culture as they can directly reflect people’s lifestyle and customs or tell a country’s history.

In- dian movies have recently gained in popularity with Chinese audiences and have played a key role in spreading knowledge of Indian culture in China.

Others mentioned the important role of tourism and the necessity to simplify visa application procedures.
During the summit, SCO member States signed a joint action plan for 2019-20 to further boost tourism.

Xue Yaping, director of the Tourism Promotion and Inter- national Cooperation Department of the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism, told the press that under the joint ac- tion plan, more measures would be taken in the coming years to simplify visa application and customs procedures in SCO nations.
(Beijing Review) SCO quick facts Member States: China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan Observer States: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia Dialogue Partners: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey Permanent Bodies: SCO Secretariat, SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure Related Institutions: SCO Inter-bank Consortium, SCO Business Council (Source: Scochina.mfa.gov.cn) ISSUE 2 · 2018 11 SCO SUMMIT A vision for common development The SCO Qingdao Summit opens a new chapter for the organization By Li Ziguo The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Qingdao Summit was the first top leaders’ meet- ing since the expansion of the organization’s membership and a new starting point for the group of countries.
At a time when the world is undergo- ing its most dramatic adjustment in a century, full of un- certainty and instability, an SCO solution for peace and development was clearly laid out by Chinese President Xi Jinping in his remarks at the summit and in the Qingdao Declaration released by the organization.

Five-pronged proposal Although the world today faces many challenges, the trends of peace and cooperation are irreversible.
The global scenario is undergoing unprecedented changes, with new tests such as trade protectionism and unilateralism emerg- ing, regional conflicts intensifying and the threat of terror- ism persevering.

But as Xi noted in his speech, the force of peace will prevail.

While hegemony and power politics persist, democracy in international relations has nonethe- less become the unstoppable trend of the times, and in spite of global challenges, security and stability are what people now long for.
Backlash against globalization continues, but cooperation for mutual benefit is the mainstream pursuit of the world’s nations, and although rhetoric on the clash of civilizations can be heard occasionally, it is the diversity of civilizations that sustains human progress.

The SCO, as an influential participant in international affairs, makes important contributions to the world.
Xi said that the Shanghai Spirit, transcending outdated con- cepts such as the clash of civilizations, Cold War mentality and zero-sum games, has opened a new page in the history of international relations.

The Shanghai Spirit is a creative vision initiated and enacted by the SCO that champions reciprocal trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for the diversity of civilizations and pursuit of com- mon development.
The constructive partnership between SCO member States is a major breakthrough in the theo- ries and practices of international relations, creating a new model for regional cooperation.

Over the past 17 years, the concept of an SCO family has taken root in its member States.

This family has not only brought enormous benefits for its members, but also acted as a model institution for the region and the world.

The five-pronged proposal presented by Xi is an answer to new challenges.
Xi said that although the world today faces risks and challenges, we are capable of resolving them.
His proposal advocates (1) innovative, coordinated, green, open and inclusive development to achieve shared prosperity; (2) common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable secu- rity to achieve security for all; (3) inclusive cooperation for win-win outcomes, so as to build an open world economy; (4) equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness be- tween civilizations; and (5) shared growth through discussion and collaboration in global governance, ultimately building a community with a shared future for humanity.
Xi’s new ideas on development, security, cooperation, civilization and global governance reinforce one another and together form a theory for a new international order.

Multiple solutions What challenges does the SCO face today?

Some countries and blocs unilaterally develop antimissile systems, eroding the strategic balance of the world, while trade protectionism and unilateralism continue to rise, hampering global growth.
Terrorists radicalized in the Middle East return to SCO coun- tries, posing a threat to regional security, while extremist ideology is spread more forcefully online.

Drug production, trafficking and abuse are also on the rise, and the risk of ter- rorist activity funded by drug trafficking is picking up.

Both Xi’s speech and the Qingdao Declaration provide solutions to many of these challenges.
Critically, Xi outlined two measures to enhance recipro- cal trust between SCO member States: to strengthen mutual understanding by empathizing with others’ position and to boost harmony and unity by seeking common ground and setting aside differences.

Only by approaching an issue from another’s perspective in addition to one’s own can two parties truly reach consensus.
SCO member States have different in- terests, cultural backgrounds, ways of thinking and religions, and the inclusion of India and Pakistan makes the organiza- tion even more diverse.

Seeking common ground while put- ting aside differences is thus essential.
At the summit, member States reiterated the fundamen- tal principle of opposing the fragmentation of international trade ties and all forms of trade protectionism so as to build 12 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at the 18th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Qin- gdao on June 10.

Ding Lin an open world economy.


The SCO leaders issued a joint an- nouncement on the facilitation of international trade, and Xi listed specific measures to scale up regional cooperation.

China is set to launch its first international import expo to buy more goods from its SCO partners.
A demonstration zone is also to be built in Qingdao for China-SCO local economic and trade cooperation, and a committee of legal services for SCO member States is to be established to provide legal sup- port for business cooperation.

Moreover, China will set up a 30-billion-yuan ($4.7 billion) equivalent lending facility within the framework of the SCO Inter-bank Consortium.

These are expected to inject more impetus into the growth of the SCO.
Regional security In terms of regional security, the Chinese proposal for common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable secu- rity for all was endorsed by all SCO member States, becom- ing the guiding principle of security cooperation within the group, with the summit producing a series of measures to cope with security threats in the region.
A plan was put forward to abandon the double standard on defining terrorists and to build a united global counterter- rorism front with international law as its cornerstone and the United Nations as its coordinator, along with a commitment to fighting terrorism with holistic approaches.
An informa- tion exchange mechanism will be promoted to block ter- rorists attempting to return to the region, and the SCO is to implement the 2019-21 program of cooperation for combat- ing the three forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and continue to conduct joint counterterrorism exercises.

China also promised to train 2,000 law enforcement officers for other members over the next three years to enhance the group’s law enforcement capacity.
The SCO plans to carry out the 2018-23 program of drug control, making the greatest effort to crack down on terror- ism funded by drug production and trafficking.

The organi- zation will also build a peaceful, safe, open, cooperative and well-ordered cyberspace, preventing the spread of illegal information online.

The SCO will facilitate peace and recon- struction in Afghanistan and eliminate external threats that can cause instability in the country.
An inclusive peaceful reconciliation process led and owned by the Afghan people is the only way forward on this issue.

In order to enhance cultural exchange among SCO mem- ber States, China, during its rotating presidency, organized a number of activities, including a women’s forum, a people’s forum, a political party forum and a media summit—all being the first of their kind.
Xi promised in his address that China will provide 3,000 training opportunities for human resource development in SCO member States over the next three years.

In addition, China will offer meteorological services to all parties using its Fengyun-2 weather satellites.

The future will see further cooperation in culture, education, science and technology, healthcare, tourism, the arts, sports, environ- mental protection, youth exchange, and the media, according to a document published by the summit.
The promotion of cultural and people-to-people exchange between SCO mem- ber States is a crucial part of the organization’s vision for the future.

(Beijing Review) (The author is director of the Department for European- Central Asian Studies under the China Institute of Interna- tional Studies.)
ISSUE 2 · 2018 13 SCO SUMMIT Timeline of previous SCO Summits >>17th Date: June 9, 2017 City: Astana, Kazakhstan >>13th Date: September 13, 2013 City: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Leaders present at the meeting signed the Astana Declaration of the SCO Heads of State, the SCO Convention on Countering Ter- rorism, Separatism and Extremism and other documents.

India and Pakistan were formally granted SCO membership at the meeting.
>>16th Date: June 24, 2016 City: Tashkent, Uzbekistan The Tashkent Declaration on the 15th Anniversary of the SCO was signed, along with a resolution on the approval of the Action Plan for 2016-20 on the Implementation of the SCO Development Strategy Toward 2025, among other documents.
>>15th Date: July 10, 2015 Date: Ufa, Russia The Ufa Declaration was issued, a series of documents includ- ing the SCO Development Strategy Toward 2025 were approved, and the Agreement on Border Defense Cooperation among SCO Member States was signed.
>>14th Date: September 12, 2014 City: Dushanbe, Tajikistan The Dushanbe Declaration and the Agreement among the Gov- ernments of SCO Member States on International Road Transport Facilitation were signed, while amendments to the Procedures of Granting SCO Membership and the Memo Template of Obligations for Applicant States to Join the SCO were approved.
The heads of State present at the meeting jointly signed and is- sued the Bishkek Declaration of the Heads of State of the SCO and approved the Guidelines for the Implementation of the Provisions of the Treaty of Long-Term Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Coop- eration Among SCO Member States (2013-17).

The SCO Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Committee was established.
>>12th Dates: June 6-7, 2012 City: Beijing, China Leaders present at the meeting signed 10 documents including the Declaration of the Heads of State of the SCO on Building a Re- gion with Lasting Peace and Common Prosperity.

It was unanimously agreed to admit Afghanistan as an SCO ob- server and Turkey as an SCO dialogue partner.
>>11th Date: June 15, 2011 City: Astana, Kazakhstan The Astana Declaration on the 10th Anniversary of the SCO was signed, creating a strategic plan for the development of the organiza- tion over the next 10 years.

>>10th Date: June 11, 2010 City: Tashkent, Uzbekistan The Declaration of the 10th Meeting of the Heads of State of the SCO was issued and the Regulations on the Admittance of New SCO Members and the Procedures and Rules of the SCO were approved.
Huge posters of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization appear at the main streets in Yekaterinburg, Russia on June 13, 2009.

Pang Xinglei National flags of the countries of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) fly outside of the Palace of Independence in Astana, Kazakhstan on June 14, 2011.The 10th summit of the SCO was held in Astana on June 15.
Sha Dati 14 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA >>9th Dates: June 15, 2009 Date: Yekaterinburg, Russia Documents including the Yekaterinburg Declaration and the Counterterrorism Convention were signed.

Belarus and Sri Lanka were granted status as SCO dialogue partners.

>>8th Date: August 28, 2008 City: Dushanbe, Tajikistan The meeting produced documents including the Dushanbe Declaration of the Heads of State of the SCO and the Regulations on the Dialogue Partner Status of the SCO.
>>7th Date: August 16, 2007 City Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan The Treaty of Long-Term Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Among SCO Member States was signed, providing a legal form to the idea of “friendship for generations and peace forever” among the peoples of SCO member States.
>>6th Date: June 15, 2006 City: Shanghai, China A long-term plan on the development of the SCO in accordance with the principles of the Shanghai Spirit was put forward, aimed at deepening pragmatic cooperation and promoting peaceful develop- ment.

Documents including the Declaration on the Fifth Anniversary of the SCO were also signed.
>>5th Date: July 5, 2005 City: Astana, Kazakhstan The Declaration of the Heads of State of the SCO was signed, and participants decided to give observer status to India, Iran and Pakistan.
>>4th Date: June 17, 2004 City: Tashkent, Uzbekistan Leaders present at the meeting officially launched the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the SCO, signed and approved documents including the Tashkent Declaration and the Anti-Drugs Cooperation Agreement, and decided to take new initiatives to promote pragmatic cooperation on security and the economy, as well as establishing a cooperative mechanism between the ministries of foreign affairs of member States.
The Tashkent Summit marked the end of the three-year founding stage of the SCO and entry into a new period of development.

Mongolia was inducted as an SCO observer.

>>3rd Date: May 29, 2003 City: Moscow, Russia Important issues were discussed on how to seize opportunities, meet challenges, strengthen coordination, expand cooperation and promote regional peace and development, reaching broad consen- sus.

The Declaration of the Heads of State of the SCO was signed.
>>2nd Date: June 7, 2002 City: St. Petersburg, Russia Three important documents were signed, namely, the SCO Char- ter, the Agreement on the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure and the Declaration of the Heads of State of the SCO, laying an institutional and legislative foundation for the organization.

>>1st Date: June 15, 2001 City: Shanghai, China At the meeting, the heads of State of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz- stan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan signed the Declaration on the Establishment of the SCO.
(Compiled by Beijing Review) A billboard that promotes the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Orga- nization (SCO) erects in Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan on September 11, 2014.

The 2014 SCO summit was the 14th annual summit of the heads of State of the SCO, which was held on September 11-12.

Jia Yuchen National flags of the countries that attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization fly high at the square of the Shanghai International Conven- tion Center on June 12, 2006.
VCG ISSUE 2 · 2018 15 SPECIAL REPORT Li Zhanshu visits Ethiopia, Mozambique and Namibia Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) , paid an official friendly visit to Ethiopia, Mozambique and Namibia from May 9 to 18 at the invitation of speaker of the Ethiopian House of People’s Representatives Muferiat Kamil, speaker of the Ethiopian House of Federa- tion Keria Ibrahim, speaker of the Mozambican parliament Veronica Macamo, and speaker of the Namibian National Assembly Peter Katjavivi.
China, Ethiopia to boost bilateral ties Chairman Li Zhanshu visited Ethiopia from May 9 to 12 to promote bilateral ties between the two countries.

In the capital city of Addis Ababa, Li met with Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, respectively, on May 11.

During his meeting with President Mulatu, Li conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s appreciation of the Ethiopian president’s contribution to China-Ethiopia friendship.
Ethiopia was the first stop of Li’s first overseas visit since he assumed office in March, which, as Li said, showed the great importance that the Chinese side attaches to the devel- opment of the bilateral ties as well as China-Africa relations.
“The relationship between China and Ethiopia has entered a new stage of comprehensive strategic partnership of coop- eration, and the forthcoming Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in September will open up new space for cooperation between the two coun- tries,” said Li.

Li said that China is willing to work with Ethiopia to deep- en mutual political trust, strengthen practical cooperation, and constantly elevate friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
Expressing the Ethiopian side’s gratitude for China’s pre- cious support, Mulatu said the bilateral ties are now in their best period in history.

Ethiopia stands ready to make joint efforts with China to develop the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation and better benefit the two coun- tries and peoples.

China is willing to work with Ethio- pia to deepen mutual political trust, strengthen practical cooperation, and constantly elevate friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
Prime Minister Abiy and Li exchanged views on China’s political system and path of development, while Li briefed Abiy on China’s governance experience and practices as well as the 18th Communist Party of China (CPC) National Con- gress and the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jin- ping at its core.
Li said that five years ago, President Xi put forward the principle of sincerity, real results, affinity, and good faith, and the notion of upholding justice while pursuing shared interests when advancing cooperation with Africa.

The president also said that China should combine its own development with supporting Africa’s development while be- ing a sincere friend and reliable partner for Africa.
Ethiopia is an important partner of China in Africa, Li said, noting that the practical cooperation between the two sides has played an exemplary role in both China-Africa and South-South cooperation.

China firmly supports Ethiopia’s development path in accordance with the African country’s own national conditions and supports Ethiopia’s efforts to develop the economy and maintain stability, he said.
Li voiced his anticipation that the two countries should continue strengthening cooperation within the Belt and Road Initiative and the FOCAC framework.

They should give full play to the role of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway as an economic “main artery,” actively construct economic corri- dors along the railway’s route, boost cooperation in the cre- ation of industrial zones and the development of oil and gas resources, and develop new areas of cooperation.
Li invited the Ethiopian side to the first China Interna- tional Import Expo to be held in Shanghai in November.

16 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA NPC Li Zhanshu (L), chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, meets with Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome in Addis Ababa on May 10.

Ding Lin Li also said he hopes the two countries will strengthen communication and coordination on peace and security in Africa, and increase mutual support on issues involving each other’s core interests.
Abiy said that the friendly relations between Ethiopia and China are as solid as a rock.

He said President Xi Jinping’s thoughts on governance is of important guidance and refer- ence for the development of Ethiopia and African countries at large.
Abiy said that the implementation of the “ten major plans” for China-Africa cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative have brought tangible benefits to Africa and that Ethiopia is willing to continue deepening cooperation with China in the fields of infrastructure construction, finance, tourism, and human resources.

Keria, Li briefed the two speakers on China’s political system, the National People’s Congress and its standing committee.
Li said the Chinese side will work with the Ethiopian par- liament to improve the legal environment to better facilitate ties.

He said the NPC will open a seminar for legislators from developing countries in Africa this year, and he invited Ethio- pian delegates to participate.
Muferiat and Keria said Ethiopia values cooperation with the NPC, saying the African country is ready to learn from China’s development experience and work with China to step up trade cooperation as well as people-to-people exchanges.

During his stay in Addis Ababa, Li, together with Abiy, witnessed the signing of cooperation documents between the two sides, and he inked a memorandum of understanding with the Ethiopian parliament.
During the talks with Muferiat Kamil, speaker of the Ethi- opian House of People’s Representatives and Keria Ibrahim, speaker of the Ethiopian House of Federation Muferiat and Li also visited the data center of the Ethiopian Ministry of Science and Technology, the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway and the Addis Ababa light rail.

ISSUE 2 · 2018 17 SPECIAL REPORT Li Zhanshu (L), chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, meets with Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi in Maputo, Mozambique, May 14.
Liu Weibing China, Mozambique promote friendship, cooperation Chairman Li Zhanshu visited Mozambique from May 12 to 15 to promote friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

In the capital city of Maputo, Li met with Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi and held talks with Speaker Veronica Macamo.

During his meeting with President Nyusi, Li conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s sincere greetings.
Li said the deep China-Mozambique traditional friendship was rooted in the history of their struggles against imperialism and colo- nialism, and has grown even stronger in their joint efforts for common development.

Li said China and Mozambique are all-weather friends and that successive leaders of both countries have made great ef- forts for the friendship.
He noted that the bilateral ties has entered a new era since the heads of State of both countries decided to elevate the bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation in 2016.

China and Mozambique are all-weather friends and that successive leaders of both countries have made great efforts for the friendship.
Li said that China will uphold justice and pursue shared interests, and adhere to the principles of sincerity, real re- sults, affinity and good faith in its Africa policy, as expounded by President Xi Jinping.

China supports Mozambique’s efforts to realize indepen- dent and sustainable development, and will sincerely help Mozambique to develop and grow stronger, Li said.
Li briefed on China’s experience and practices of achieving economic development while maintaining political and social stability over the past 40 years since the start of the country’s 18 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA NPC reform and opening-up policy.

He said these achievements were attributed to the overall leadership by the Communist Party of China, the advantages of socialism, as well as China’s development concepts that are people-centered and compli- ant with its own domestic conditions.
China stands ready to enhance exchanges on governance experience, and implement the important consensuses reached by heads of State of the two countries, Li said, stress- ing the three major advantages of bilateral relationship, that is, political mutual trust, economic complementarity and people-to-people friendship.
Li said the Chinese side will encourage Chinese companies to invest in Mozambique within the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries, in order to turn the bilateral traditional friendship and political mutual trust into more practical cooperation outcomes.
On his part, President Nyusi spoke highly of the achieve- ments China has made in various aspects under the leader- ship of President Xi since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

Nyusi said Mozambique is willing to participate in the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, and to deepen cooperation with China in agriculture, energy, manufactur- ing, tourism and infrastructure, so as to bring the bilateral cooperation to an even higher level.
During talks with Speaker Macamo, Li expounded Xi Jin- ping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially the theory of building a socialist demo- cratic political system and briefed on the peolpe’s congress system in China.

Li said that the NPC stands ready to maintain friendly exchanges at various levels with its Mozambican counterpart and make sure the cooperation agreements signed between the two sides to be well implemented.
Li also voiced his hope that the Mozambican parliament will play a proactive role in creating a more favorable legal environment so that more Chinese companies will invest in Mozambique due to the facilitation for investment.
Macamo said that the Mozambican parliament will en- hance comprehensive dialogues with China’s NPC, support each other on issues concerning their core interests, and make efforts to ensure that the legislative body serves as a constructive force in promoting the development of the ties between the two countries.

Mozambique was the second stop of Li’s visit to three Af- rican nations.

He previously visited Ethiopia and will visit Namibia afterwards.
When Li arrived in Mozambique on May 12, he first attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the Mozam- bican Hero Square in Maputo.

During his stay in Mozambique, Li also attended a sympo- sium that gathered executives of Chinese companies operat- ing across Africa.

He urged the companies to uphold justice and pursue shared interests, and follow the policy of sincer- ity, real results, affinity and good faith put forward by Presi- dent Xi.
The top legislator urged the companies to shoulder social responsibility during operations, respect local laws and customs, and make greater contributions towards China- Africa comprehensive friendly cooperation.

Li also attended the opening ceremony of this year’s joint conference of the Confucius Institutes in Africa.

In his ad- dress at the conference on May 14, Li said that the Confucius Institutes not only belong to China, but also belong to the world.
Li said he hopes the Confucius Institutes in Africa will always focus on China-Africa friendship, knowledge shar- ing and cultural exchanges, urging the Confucius Institutes to introduce Africa to more Chinese people while promoting China’s culture and telling China’s true stories in Africa, as a messenger for China-Africa cultural exchanges.
During his stay in Maputo, Li also attended the corner- stone-laying ceremony of the Mozambique-China Cultural Center and the teaching building of a Confucius Institute and the communication and art school at the Eduardo Mondlane University, and the launching ceremony of the Mozambique part of the Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages Project, and visited a China-Mozambique pilot center of ag- ricultural technology and the suspension bridge over Maputo Bay assisted by the Chinese side.
China, Namibia call for closer cooperation Chairman Li Zhanshu visited Namibia on May 15-17, dur- ing which he met with Namibian President Hage Geingob and former President Sam Nujoma, and held talks with Speaker Katjavivi and Chairperson of the National Council Magreth Mensah-Williams, respectively.
During the meeting with President Geingob, Li conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s sincere greetings and briefed on China’s historic achievements since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) as well as the formation, content and significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
Reviewing Geingob’s visit to China in March, Li said it has opened a new era for China-Namibia relationship that the two heads of State decided to elevate the bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation.
Li voiced China’s hope that the two sides will work to- gether to step up communication on policy and alignment of development plans within the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), and boost cooperation on infrastructure construc- tion and industrial capacity to better benefit the people of the two countries.
Li said the Chinese side appreciates Namibia’s push to safeguard the unity of Africa and stands ready to enhance communication and coordination with Namibia in interna- tional and regional affairs.

Li expounded China’s principles and stance on some of today’s hot-spot issues in the world, and introduced in detail, as requested, President Xi’s efforts to alleviate the tensions on and to help realize denuclearization of the Korean Penin- sular.
Referring to the vision of a community with a shared fu- ture for humanity, Li said all the countries in the world are inter-dependent against the backdrop of globalization, and that they should treat each other equally and work together to safeguard peace and development, and address various challenges that all human beings are faced with.
China is willing to work with Namibia to continuously release new vigor of the friendship forged by the elder gen- ISSUE 2 · 2018 19 SPECIAL REPORT energy resources to ensure the road of comprehensive strate- gic partnership of cooperation will get broader and broader.

When meeting with Nu- joma, Li extended President Xi’s greetings to the founding father of Namibia.

Li spoke highly of Nujoma’s consistent c o m m i t m e n t t o N a m i b i a - China friendship as a senior statesman in Africa.
Recalling his friendly inter- actions with Chinese leaders, Nujoma said the brotherly friendship has remained un- shakable and become even firmer as time goes by.

D u r i n g t h e t a l k s w i t h Speaker Katjavivi and Chair- person Mensah-Williams, Li briefed them on the people’s congress system in China.

Li said the system, com- bining upholding the CPC’s leadership, ensuring that the people are the master of the country and ruling the country by law, fits well China’s na- tional conditions.
Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, shakes hands with Namibian President Hage Geingob in Windhoek, Namibia, May 16.

Liu Weibing China will support and assist Namibia and other African coun- tries in their push for developing economy and improving people’s livelihood along a path suitable for their own national conditions.
eration of leaders of the two countries, and the Chinese side will support and assist Namibia and other African countries in their push for developing economy and improving people’s livelihood along a path suitable for their own national condi- tions, with a view to realizing the rise of Africa, a develop- ment miracle in history, according to Li.

President Geingob said Namibia and China not only enjoy deep traditional friendship, but also treat each other equally as partners.
The Namibian people are very clear that China is a true friend and good partner, Geingob said, noting that the Na- mibian side looks forward to maintaining close high-level interactions and boosting practical cooperation on trade and investment, infrastructure construction and exploitation of He advocated cooperation between the legislatures of the two countries should be first and foremost focused on implementing the important con- sensus reached by the heads of State, creating favorable legal environments for practical cooperation including trade and investment, increasing experience sharing on governance, and advancing sub-national cooperation and people-to-peo- ple exchanges, especially those among the youth and women between the two countries to lay a solid social foundation for the bilateral friendship.
Speaker Katjavivi and Chairperson Mensah-Williams ex- pressed gratitude for China’s precious support for Namibia’s independence.

They told Li that the Namibian side is willing to further enhance friendly interactions with the NPC at vari- ous levels in line with the memorandum of understanding inked between the two countries’ legislatures to help advance the bilateral relationship.
During his stay in Windhoek, Li visited the local patients that have undergone cataract surgeries in Brightness Jour- ney campaigns, as well as the Chinese and Namibian medical workers.

He said the removal of medical gauze pieces from the pa- tients’ eyes embodies the deeply-rooted friendship between the two nations and epitomizes China’s medical assistance to Africa.
Li encouraged the Chinese medical team to work and con- tribute to make the local people benefit substantially from medical cooperation between the two countries.

Li also witnessed the delivery of aid materials on wildlife protection to the Namibian side and visited the control and command center of Telecom Namibia.
(Xinhua) 20 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA NPC Li Zhanshu meets AU Commission deputy chair, eyeing closer China-Africa cooperation Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), has called for closer China-Africa cooperation while meeting with Thomas Kwesi Quartey, deputy chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission at the AU head- quarters in Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa.
During the meeting on May 11, Li said China and Africa are always a community of common destiny as they share deep-rooted friendship and the same pursuit of development and prosperity.
Li said guided by China’s African policy of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith and the correct viewpoint of righteousness and benefit, put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the ten major cooperation plans have progressed well and a number of major cooperation projects have been realized, bringing substantial benefits to the African coun- tries and the African people.
Li envisaged the huge potential for cooperation as China is endeavoring to achieve its “two centenary goals” while Af- rica is also pushing for the realization of its Agenda 2063.

China is happy to see a united, peaceful and prosperous Africa and stands ready to further its comprehensive and practical cooperation with the continent, Li said, noting the hope for more fruitful results within the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Co- operation (FOCAC).
Li also expressed the belief that China and Africa will work together to make the Beijing summit of the FOCAC in September a historic event to advance China-Africa coopera- tion.

Leaders of China and African countries will consult with each other and blueprint China-Africa cooperation in the new era in pursuit of win-win results and common develop- ment at an even higher level, according to Li.
Hailing the important role the AU plays in promoting unity and integration of Africa, Li said the Chinese side at- taches great importance to the ties with the regional bloc and is willing to support, within China’s capability, its efforts to strengthen the AU organs as well as its ability of peacekeep- ing and improving people’s livelihood.
He also said China will support the AU’s push to lead Africa’s integration, play a bigger part in regional and in- ternational affairs and safeguard the continent’s unity and common interests.
Quartey welcomed Li’s visit to the AU headquarters, whose office building, according to the deputy chairperson, Li Zhanshu (L), chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, meets with Thomas Kwesi Quartey, deputy chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission during his visit to the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, May 11.

Liu Weibing embodies high-level cooperation between Africa and China.
While expressing thanks to China’s strong support to the AU, Quartey said China’s peaceful development has offered enormous opportunities as well as a new option for Africa.

The deputy chairperson said Africa’s Agenda 2063 is high- ly compatible with the Belt and Road Initiative, calling for joint advancement.

The AU is willing to actively participate in the FOCAC Beijing Summit and to deepen its all-round coop- eration with China, he said.
The AU also expects China to enhance its support to Af- rica on infrastructure, education and science and technology, Quartey said.

Li and Quartey also exchanged views on African situation and other issues.
(Xinhua) ISSUE 2 · 2018 21 SUPERVISION Li Zhanshu inspects enforcement of Air Pollution Control Law The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) sent four teams of lawmakers to inspect the enforcement of the Air Pollution Control Law in eight provincial-level regions across the country from May to June.

It also entrusted standing committees of the remaining 23 provincial-level people’s congresses to inspect the enforcement of the law within their jurisdictions.
Li Zhanshu (3rd L), chairman of the NPC Standing Committee and a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, presides over a meeting of the NPC Standing Committee on inspecting enforcement of Air Pollution Control Law in Bei- jing on May 7.
Ding Lin First plenary meeting on the enforcement of Air Pollution Control Law The inspection is aimed at pushing the whole Party and nation to willingly adopt the new development concept and effectively implement major environmental policies made by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said Li Zhanshu, chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee and a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Com- mittee, who presided over the first plenary meeting of the NPC Standing Committee on inspecting enforcement of Air Pollution Control Law on May 7.
The inspection would also address outstanding environ- mental issues of public concern, press governments at all lev- els and businesses to carry out their duties, and raise public awareness, Li said.

He instructed lawmakers to follow due process and carry out their duties rigorously, target red-flagged regions and sec- tors and the prominent problems that harm the interests of the public, and put forward practical and effective solutions.

He also warned them against any form of bureaucracy.
22 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA Inspection tour in Henan Li called for full and effective implementation of the Air Pollution Control Law, during an inspection tour to Central China’s Henan Province from May 24 to 28.
Li said “the weapon of law should be used to safeguard the blue sky.” The inspection team led by Li visited the cities of Anyang, Zhengzhou and Luoyang in Henan, and inspected the pro- vincial environmental protection department, enterprises, villages, construction sites, pollution monitoring stations and electric-bus charging stations.

When visiting local enterprises, Li urged them to speed up transformation and upgrading, and pursue green develop- ment.
Pollution must be addressed from the source, Li said, add- ing that enterprises failing to meet environmental protection standards would be rectified or shut down.

“The result of pollution control should be judged by the people,” Li said.

While acknowledging obvious improvements in air pollu- tion control in Henan, Li said many problems remained and the situation was still grave.
Li called for major adjustment to the structure of the economy, industry, energy and transportation, and urged people’s congresses at all levels to perform their functions, perfect the law and local regulations, and strengthen supervi- sion.

Li Zhanshu (L), chairman of the NPC Standing Committee and a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, visits Anyang Iron & Steel Group in Anyang, Henan Prov- ince, May 25.
Ding Lin Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Stand- ing Committee and a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, visits a construction site of a station of subway Line 4 in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, May 27.
Ding Lin ISSUE 2 · 2018 23 SUPERVISION Inspection tour in Inner Mongolia Li called for strict enforcement of the Air Pollution Control Law to ensure “blue sky with white clouds” for the people during an inspection tour in North China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from June 2 to 5.

Li stressed the importance to persistently build a strong shield to protect the ecology in North China.
The inspection team led by Li visited the cities of Hohhot, Baotou and Ordos and inspected electricity, iron and steel, coal, chemical, and new-energy vehicle companies.

He pointed out that ecological and environmental prob- lems are in fact the problems of economic development pat- terns.

While visiting local heating facilities, Li asked officials and enterprises to reduce coalburning air pollution but still pro- vide enough heating for the people during winter.
As an important shield to protect the ecology and envi- ronment of North China, Inner Mongolia should step up the efforts to fight desertification, while wetland protection and pollution control should be strengthened, Li said.
24 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee and a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, inspects Beijing- Tianjin sandstorm source control project in Ordos, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Re- gion, June 4.
Rao Aimin Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee and a member of the Stand- ing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, inspects Bao- gang Group in Inner Mongo- lia Autonomous Region on June 3.
Rao Aimin Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Standing Commit- tee and a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, presides over a meeting of the NPC Standing Committee on in- specting enforcement of Air Pollution Control Law in Bei- jing on June 15.
Rao Aimin Second plenary meeting on the enforcement of Air Pollution Control Law Li encouraged lawmakers to look for problems in enforcement of the Air Pollution Control Law and provide solutions when presiding over the second plenary meeting of the NPC Standing Com- mittee on inspecting enforcement of Air Pollution Control Law on June 15.

Four teams of lawmakers were sent to inspect enforcement of the Air Pollution Control Law in eight provincial-level regions in early May.
Being briefed on their work in the past month, Li said that the inspections have exposed several problems, such as low awareness and lack of practical protocols and standards.

Inspection teams were expected to find ways to help local governments improve their work, he said.

(Xinhua) ISSUE 2 · 2018 25 FOCUS NPC Tibetan delegation pays visit to Canada and US A National People’s Congress (NPC) delegation of lawmakers from China’s Tibet Autonomous Re- gion concluded its four-day visit to Canada on May 9.
The delegation, led by Baima Wangdui, a deputy to the People’s Congress of the Tibet Autonomous Region and member of the Tibetan regional Party standing committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), visited Toronto and Ottawa, where the delegation met and exchanged ideas with people from all walks of life.

The delegation was widely welcomed.


Baima Wangdui, who is also the secretary of the CPC Lhasa Municipal Party Committee, gave a comprehensive introduction to Tibet’s economic and social development and answered questions from the Canadian side, which deepened mutual under- standing.

velopment committee of the House of Commons.

In Toronto, the delegation met with the head of the department of inter- national relations of Ontario Province.
Baima Wangdui said China and Canada enjoy a good momentum of development in their relations and both sides share a wide range of common interests and opportunities for cooperation.
He said China is willing to work with Canada to earnestly implement the important consensus between the leaders of the two countries, deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, properly handle differences and sensitive is- sues, and promote the sustained and stable development of the strategic partnership between China and Canada so as to better benefit the two peoples, adding that the Tibet Autono- mous Region is willing to continue to actively support and participate in friendly exchanges between the two countries.
In Ottawa, the delegation met with the Canada-China Legislative Association and the foreign and international de- Baima Wangdui related the historic changes that have taken place in Tibet since the implementation of the system A National People’s Congress delegation of legislators from China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, led by Baima Wangdui (1st R, back), deputy of the People’s Congress of the Tibet Autonomous Region and member of the Tibetan regional Party standing committee of the Communist Party of China, receive interviews by the media in Ottawa, Canada, on May 9.
Yu Ruidong 26 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA of regional ethnic autonomy and the historic achievements in Tibet’s economic and social development over the past 40 years of reform and opening-up, especially since the 18th CPC National Congress.
Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, he said, Tibetans are working with the rest of the Chinese to move towards the grand goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects and to strive for the realization of the “two centenary goals.” “Welcome friends from Canada to visit Tibet, take a look at the new socialist Tibet today, listen to the true thoughts of the Tibetan people, and enhance understanding of the reality of Tibet,” he said.
The Canadian side said Canada attaches importance to developing relations with China, and the Canada-China Leg- islative Association will continue to work to promote the de- velopment of friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.

Ontario Province is willing to strengthen coop- eration with China in the fields of economy and trade, science and technology, as well as tourism.
Canada is impressed by Tibet’s achievements in various fields in recent years and is willing to maintain candid exchanges with China to enhance mutual understanding.

During the visit, the delegation also met Tibetans living in Ottawa and Toronto, experts and scholars from Carleton University and the Canadian Institute of Foreign Affairs.

The delegation departed for the US after being interviewed by the media on the afternoon of May 9.
The delegation met US Senator Dan Sullivan, Congress- men Darin LaHood, Rick Larsen, Jim McGovern and other State Department officials in Washington.

Baima Wangdui held discussions with assistants of US lawmakers and experts at the research department of US Congress.

In San Francisco, the delegation exchanged ideas with lo- cal overseas Chinese and Tibetan representatives.

During meetings with the US side, Baima Wangdui said China attaches great importance to China-US relations.
He said that Chinese President Xi Jinping has maintained close contact with his US counterpart Donald Trump, and the two leaders have reached important consensuses on a broad range of issues, which guided the China-US relations to achieve major progress.

He also pointed out that some differences and sensitive issues still exist between the two countries that need to be handled properly.
The Tibet Autonomous Region is willing to implement the consensuses reached between the two heads of State, strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the US side, and enhance mutual understanding so as to serve the overall in- terests of China-US relations, Baima Wangdui said.

Over the past 60 years since Tibet’s peaceful liberation, re- markable progress has been made in various areas, and peo- ple’s rights and freedom have been fully guaranteed, which is a fact obvious to all, he said.
He stressed that the Tibet-related issue is a matter con- cerning China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the core interests of China.

The Tibet-related issue is an internal affair of China which brooks no intervention from any foreign country, he noted.
An NPC delegation of legislators from China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, led by Baima Wangdui (2nd R), deputy of the People’s Congress of the Tibet Autonomous Region and member of the Tibetan regional Party standing committee of the CPC, receive interviews by the media in Wash- ington, the United States, on May 11.

Diao Haiyang More than 3 million Tibetans living in Tibet are the most qualified to speak about what happens there, Baima Wangdui said.
He hoped that the US side fully recognizes the extreme sensitivity of the Tibet-related issue and the anti-China na- ture of the Dalai clique, earnestly respect the core interests and major concerns of China, allow no visits by the heads of the Dalai clique, refrain from whatever contact with it, offer no support and convenience to its anti-China separatist ac- tivities, and handle the Tibet-related issue in a discreet and proper way, so as not to disturb China-US relations.
The US side said that both China and the United States are great countries, and their relations are generally moving ahead though they experienced some ups and downs occa- sionally.

The US expects to build a constructive and result-oriented China-US relationship, strengthen cooperation with China and constantly achieve new outcome.

The US side recognizes that Tibet is part of China and it will not support Tibet independence, and this position has remained unchanged.
In meetings with local overseas Chinese and Tibetan rep- resentatives, the delegation gave a briefing on the historic changes and achievements scored in various sectors.

Baima Wangdui said that under the strong leadership of the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese government, it took Tibet only several decades to advance from backward- ness to progress, from poverty to affluence, and from seclu- sion to openness.
Tibet has made a historic stride in terms of its social sys- tem and witnessed earth-shaking social changes, he said, adding that today’s Tibet is at its best period in history.

The overseas Chinese and Tibetan representatives took great pride in the achievements made in various sectors of Tibet, and expressed their readiness to continue to work for the mutual understanding between China and the US and to contribute to development and prosperity of their mother- land and hometowns.
The delegation wrapped up its six-day visit to the US on May 14, during which the delegation also received interviews by the media.

(Xinhua) ISSUE 2 · 2018 27 FOCUS Workshop for new NPC deputies held tional People’s Congress (NPC) concluded in Bei- jing on May 11.

A four-day workshop for deputies to the 13th Na- A total of 277 delegates from 15 election units across China attended the workshop to have an in-depth study of the Constitution as well as relevant laws and regula- tions.
Topics covered in the workshop also included the leg- islation and supervision work of the NPC and its standing committee, as well as the proposing and reviewing of bills by deputies.

Zhou Qiang, president of the Supreme People’s Court, and Zhang Jun, procurator-general of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, delivered lectures to the deputies on China’s court and procuratorial system, respectively.
The deputies also visited “The Power of Truth,” an exhibi- tion marking the 200th anniversary of Karl Marx’s birth, at the National Museum of China.

Yang Zhenwu, secretary-general of the NPC Standing Committee, expressed his hope that the deputies would strengthen their sense of duty and mission, stay down-to- earth to conduct their investigation and surveys, and keep close links with the public.

Over 70 percent of the 2,980 deputies on the 13th NPC are newly-elected.
The NPC Standing Committee organized the workshop in order to enhance their political caliber and ca- pability to perform duties.

Three workshops will be held this year, covering about 1,100 lawmakers, primarily from newly elected and grass- roots deputies.

(Xinhua) The NPC Standing Committee organized the workshop in order to enhance deputies’ political caliber and capability to perform duties.

A workshop for deputies to the 13th National People’s Congress convenes in Beijing from May 8 to 11.
Li Jie 28 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA A history exhibition hall for the 1954 Constitution in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, on June 7 VCG Chinese religious personnel study Constitution to reinforce national identity By Li Ruohan In a bid to reinforce national identity, China’s major religious associations are organizing activities to study the Constitution of China and its latest amend- ments.
Since March, religious and legal experts, Party School pro- fessors, police and judges have been invited to symposiums and lectures at Buddhist temples to study the newly amended Constitution, Shi Zewu, deputy head of the Buddhist Associa- tion of China, said on June 4.

“Studying the Constitution is the top priority and most important mission for China’s religious sector,” said Shi, also abbot of Nanputuo Temple in Xiamen, East China’s Fujian Province.
Similar events are being held across China after the Na- tional People’s Congress adopted constitutional amendments that stress Communist Party of China (CPC) leadership and upholding socialist core values.

On May 31, heads and representatives of national religious groups gathered in Beijing to study the amendments and promote the authority and spirit of the Constitution.
Only when religious believers loyally advocate and firmly defend the Constitution can they better exercise their rights to religious freedom, conference attendees agreed, according to a statement released at the website of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee.
More than 200 people, including religious officials and believers, signed their names on a wall in Shanghai’s Yangpu district on May 30 for an activity called “I am a Chinese citi- zen,” intending to promote legal awareness among religious believers.

“The scale of studying the Constitution in the religious sector is unprecedented since 1949,” Liu Guopeng, a research fellow at the Institute of World Religion Studies of the Chi- nese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times.
Studying the Constitution is a matter of national identity, especially for believers of religions that were introduced to China, Liu asserted.

China’s religious affairs also face constant challenges from “Arabization” and separatist moves, he warned.

Some 95 percent of about 25,000 religious staff in Tibet passed a test on the Constitution, Tibet Daily reported on May 22.

The test helped shape the idea “national laws are above religious rules,” the report said.
Since March, more than 500,000 people participated in 3,860 activities promoting the study of the Constitution, said the newspaper.

Study of the Constitution was closely integrated with local efforts to combat separatists and safeguard stability and bor- der construction, it said.
(Global Times) ISSUE 2 · 2018 29 LEGISLATION Law to protect heroes’ honor takes effect A primary school student stands before the statues of martyrs at the Zhejiang Memorial Hall of Revolutionary Martyrs in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, on April 5.

Huang Zongzhi A law to protect the reputation and honor of heroes and martyrs went into effect on May 1 in a move to promote patriotism and socialist core values in China.
The country and the people should forever respect and remember the heroes and martyrs for their sacrifice and con- tribution to the Chinese nation and the people, according to the law.

The law was passed unanimously after a second reading at the bimonthly session of the Standing Committee of the Na- tional People’s Congress on April 27.

To safegurd honor “All members of society should honor them, learn from them and guard their reputation,” the law says.
The law bans activities that defame heroes and martyrs or distort and diminish their deeds.

Those who violate their rights of name, portrait, reputation, and honor will be pun- ished.

“Defaming national heroes is in fact undermining the na- tional spirit embodied by these heroes,” said Xiong Wenzhao, a law professor at Minzu University of China and expert with the China Law Society.
The State has the responsibility to protect the rights and interests of these heroes and the public interest behind them, he said.

The law allows family members of heroes and martyrs to file lawsuits, and entrusts prosecutors to file public interest litigation cases against activities defaming heroes and mar- tyrs.
The law also requires internet operators to speedily handle online information that infringes on heroes and martyrs, and harmful information originating from overseas should be in- tercepted using technology or other necessary means.

To pass on the spirit The new law includes content on the protection of me- morials of heroes and martyrs, and publicity and education about them and their deeds.
Memorials for heroes and martyrs should be open to the public for free, and activities to commemorate and educate should be held for the public, the law reads.

School curriculums should include content on the heroes and martyrs to strengthen patriotic education among stu- dents, according to the law.

“It is a whole new level of patriotic education with the help of the law.
The spirit of those heroes and martyrs has to be passed on generation after generation,” said Zhang Jianjun, curator of the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Mas- sacre by Japanese Invaders.

30 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA After insults to hero, one sorry, one isn’t By Cang Wei A man in Huai’an, Jiangsu Province, has been prosecuted for insulting a firefighter who died while saving people.

It is China’s first public interest litigation involving the denigra- tion of a dead hero.
The 21-year-old firefighter, Xie Yong, fell to his death on May 12 from the 18th floor of a residential building that was on fire.

He re- moved his air respirator and gave it to a colleague who had trouble breathing.

Then, to escape, he climbed down a rope but slipped.

Xie and his colleagues saved 36 people trapped in the building and evacuated more than 110.
On the same day, a man surnamed Wang insulted the firefight- er in a WeChat group, saying that the building should have burned down and the firefighter should have died sooner.

Local police arrested him the next day in neighboring Anhui Province, detaining him for 15 days and fining him 1,000 yuan ($157).

Local prosecutors dropped the case after the 33-year-old apolo- gized to the public and the hero’s family.

“I feel deeply sorry and guilty,” Wang said.


“I insulted the fire- men who have sacrificed sweat, blood and even their lives for other people.” However, another man, surnamed Zeng, made derogatory comments about the firefighter in a WeChat group on May 14, say- ing the firefighter is a hero only because he is dead and it was his misconduct and lack of exercise that caused it.

Zeng ignored warnings and insisted on making inappropriate remarks, police said.
He provoked officers by saying that he was not afraid of serving time in jail.

Zeng was detained on May 15 and prosecuted on May 21.

He was the first person charged under China’s new law on the protec- tion of heroes and martyrs, which took effect on May 1.

Tang Xin, director of the civil administration office of the Huaian procuratorate, said the law has empowered prosecutors.
“It’s in the law that even if the families of heroes and martyrs don’t press charges, public interest litigation can be brought,” Tang said.

“Such civil public interest litigation helps create an atmosphere to admire and protect heroes,” she said.

Yan Kai, a police officer in the city, said that any behavior involving insults to heroes will be punished, and nobody should distort facts or hurt those who shed blood for other people.
(China Daily) T h e M o n u m e n t t o t h e People’s Heroes stands at the Tian’anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China, on October 24, 2017.

VCG Ma Ruying, a veteran who fought in the War of Resistance Against Japa- nese Aggression (1931-45), shares his memories about the war with stu- dents at a cemetery in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, on April 5, Tomb Sweeping Day.
Si Wei Students from Xinle Experimental Elementary School lay wreaths to the tomb of Li Hunzi, who is a revolutionary martyr, at the North China Me- morial Hall of Martyrs on April 3.

VCG To remember the past It also outlaws acts that glorify invasions, with offenders facing administrative or criminal punishments according to the severity of their actions.
Yue Zhongming, an official with the Commission for Legis- lative Affairs of the NPC Standing Committee, said at a press conference that it is correct to outlaw acts that praise inva- sions, noting that a handful of young people recently dressed in Japanese WWII army uniforms and spread the photos on- line to glorify the war.
In another incident earlier this year, two young men were held by police after posing in front of ruins in Nanjing, dressed in the uniforms of Japanese invaders and holding “army weapons.” Nanjing is the site of the Nanjing Massacre.

Japanese troops captured the city on December 13, 1937.

Over six weeks, they killed 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers.

“The new law has sent a loud warning against wrong be- havior,” said Zhang, the curator.
(Xinhua) (The author is the executive dean at the School of Marx- ism at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee.)
ISSUE 2 · 2018 31 LEGISLATION An amendment proposed to revise Individual Income Tax Law draft amendment raises the threshold to 60,000 yuan per year Xu Jun The Standing Committee of China’s National Peo- ple’s Congress (NPC) has begun reviewing a draft amendment to the Individual Income Tax Law at the 3rd meeting of the 13th NPC Standing Commit- tee that opened on June 19.
The draft amendment raises the minimum threshold for personal income tax from 3,500 yuan (about $544) per month to 5,000 yuan, or 60,000 yuan per year.

This standard will also be applicable to those who have no domestic residence but receive an income from wages in Chi- na, as well as those who live in China but receive an income from overseas wages.
The draft amendment adds special expense deductions for items like children’s education, continuing education, treat- ment for serious diseases, as well as housing loan interest and rent.

Entrusted by the State Council, Finance Minister Liu Kun told lawmakers at the opening of the session on June 19 that the revisions are aimed at implementing decisions by central authorities and ensuring a smooth individual income tax re- form in accordance with the law.
The revisions focus on content that is no longer suitable for China’s continuing reform, Liu said, adding that the changes have taken people’s rising consumption expenses into account.

The changes are conducive to reducing tax burdens for taxpayers, raising people’s income and boosting consump- tion, the minister said.

The amendment defines resident individuals and non- resident individuals as two types of taxpayers.
In addition, the length of time used to distinguish between the two groups will be adjusted to 183 days from the previous 365.

“This will help establish tax jurisdictions and safeguard national tax rights and interests,” Liu said.

The amendment also adds an anti-tax avoidance clause, empowering tax authorities to adjust taxation in a reasonable way when individuals transfer property in violation of inde- pendent trading.
Individuals will also be subject to the clause when they evade taxes in overseas tax havens or obtain improper tax benefits by organizing unlawful commercial activities.

The individual income tax was the third major contributor to China’s total tax revenue, following value-added tax and enterprise income tax.

In 2017, China collected individual income taxes worth nearly 1.2 trillion yuan, about 8.3 percent of the total tax revenue.
The current law has undergone seven revisions since it was enacted in 1980, when the original threshold for individual income tax exemption was 800 yuan per month.

It was raised to 1,600 yuan in 2005 and 2,000 yuan in 2007.

The current threshold is 3,500 yuan according to the revision made in 2011.
(Xinhua) 32 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA Income tax reform offers a sense of gain By Jia Kang The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress is soliciting public opinion on the draft amendment to the Individual Income Tax Law through July 28.
The draft amendment responds to not only people’s appeal to raise the threshold of individual in- come tax, but also focuses on gradually building a personal income tax system that is both comprehensive and able to accommodate diversity, which the government has been emphasizing for years.

Several elements stand out in the draft amendment.

First, it uses international experience to differentiate resident individuals from non-resident individuals.
The draft says a resident individual is one who has lived in China for more than 183 days, compared with the one-year period previously, and thus expands the jurisdiction of the tax authority.

Second, it imposes a unified tax rate on incomes from vari- ous sources, including salary, remuneration and royalty, taxing an individual’s annual income instead of monthly income.
This means the reform is aimed at building a new personal income tax system that takes into account both separate income sources and the total income of an individual.

Third, the draft amendment optimizes the tax rate structure, remarkably lowering the tax burden of low-and medium-income groups (individuals who pay income tax below the 25 percent rate).

But it reduces only slightly the tax burden of high-income individu- als (those in the 30 percent, 35 percent and 45 percent tax rate brackets).
However, as part of the comprehensive imposition of tax on vari- ous sources of incomes, some taxpayers whose remuneration and service fees account for a majority of their individual or household income (such as senior experts and intellectuals), may have to pay much more as income tax because their remuneration and service fees will be subjected to different tax rates.
And although the five-level progressive tax rate targeting the incomes of businesses remains unchanged, the threshold of the highest tax rate has been increased from 100,000 yuan ($14,996) to 500,000 yuan, remarkably reducing the tax burden of businesses run by individuals and contractors.

Fourth, the draft amendment raises the threshold for personal income tax from 3,500 yuan a month to 5,000 yuan a month (or 60,000 yuan a year), reducing the tax burden of low-and medium- income groups.
Fifth, the draft also allows deduction of special expenses such as children’s education, treatment for serious diseases, and payments of mortgage interest and rent from the taxable income of individu- als.

This will make China’s individual income tax adjustment more differentiated, targeted and reasonable, promoting a fair tax system.

The draft amendment also has more clauses on anti tax evasion, which will help the tax authorities to better manage the individual income tax system.
In other words, the draft amendment truly facili- tates tax reform.

In the next stage, the Standing Committee of the National Peo- ple’s Congress could discuss whether some preferential tax rates could be imposed on incomes such as remuneration and lecture fee, in order to show the country attaches great value to learned people and intellectuals.
Still, some people are worried that if the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress approves the draft amendment, the government’s fiscal revenue would drop.

Individual income tax accounts for less than 7 percent of China’s overall fiscal income.

So even if the tax reform puts some pressure on China’s fiscal revenue in the initial stages, in the ultimate analysis it will not have a huge impact on the fiscal revenue if the authorities manage to build a sound taxation system.
Moreover, the socio-economic trend is one of rising individual incomes.

And if individuals’ incomes continue to increase, the amount of personal income tax collected will also increase, offsetting the pressure created by a possible reduction in tax revenue owing to the personal income tax reform.

(China Daily) (The author is the chief economist with the China Academy of New Supply-side Economics.)
33 VCG ISSUE 2 · 2018 REFORM AND OPENING UP A city’s legend How Shenzhen evolved from a fishing village into a pioneering metropolis By Yuan Yuan Evolving from a fishing village bordering Hong Kong, Shenzhen, in South China’s Guangdong Province, is now one of China’s megacities.

It has been the country’s fastest growing economy over the past four decades.

The city was born under special circumstances.


Right after China adopted its reform and opening-up policy at the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Com- munist Party of China (CPC) in December 1978, Shenzhen was set up as a city in January the following year.

In 1980, it was upgraded to a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) along with three other coastal cities in South China, with the aim of making it a pioneer in exploring ways to carry out reform and opening up.
Huge transformation When Wu Jinqing arrived at the Shenzhen River in a row- ing boat with his parents in the 1940s, it was a desolate place with few residents along the river.

The family thought they could do better fishing there so they decided to stay, even though they couldn’t afford to build a house on the bank.

The whole family had to squeeze into a 4-square-meter boat and live on the river through every season.
Gradually more fisher- men from nearby areas in Guangdong moved along the river and a community was formed and named Yumin, or Fisher- men, Village.

In the 1950s, with the support of the local government, many fishing families were moved up to the bank and settled down.

But life was still difficult.


The huge contrast between incomes in Hong Kong and Yumin Village prompted many to 34 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA ISSUE 2 · 2018 The Qianhai bay area in Shen- zhen, Guangdong Province, on July 31, 2017 VCG 35 REFORM AND OPENING UP spare no effort in trying to reach Hong Kong.

The situation changed almost overnight after Shenzhen became an SEZ.
Yumin Village, because of its unique location as the closest place in Shenzhen to Hong Kong, was set up as a trailblazer in the city.

In 1979, with the preferential policies of the Shenzhen SEZ, people in Yumin Village organized transportation teams of freight ships and opened for business.

Some entrepreneurs from Hong Kong started renting houses in the village and converting them into factories.

The rent went straight into the villagers’ pockets.
In 1981, the annual income of the 35 households in the village surpassed 600,000 yuan ($94,200), translating into each household getting more than 10,000 yuan ($1,570) annually, a sum that many in other regions in China couldn’t even dream of at the time.

In 1981, it built villa-style apartments for villagers, each with a garden, fishing pool, refrigerator, rice cooker and TV— luxurious for Chinese people at that time when the average yearly per-capita GDP was no more than 400 yuan ($62.8).
It quickly became the wealthiest village in China, placing it in the spotlight ever since.

In 1984, the late leader Deng Xiaop- ing visited the village and praised it for its development.
In 1992, it set up a stock company with every villager as a stockholder, making it the first village stock company in Right after China adopted its reform and opening-up policy at the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in December 1978, Shenzhen was set up as a city in January the following year.

China.
China.

In 2001, it made almost 100 million yuan ($15.7 mil- lion) and used it to demolish old buildings and construct new residential compounds, 90 percent of which were used for renting, whose proceeds went directly to the villagers.

A property management office was set up to manage the rental apartments.

“The people who left the village for Hong Kong started to flow back,” Wu said.

Wu’s family can now get more than 50,000 yuan ($7,834) each month from rent alone.
As an original stockholder, Wu also gets profit-sharing payments The Shenzhen Qianhai and Shekou Area under the Guangdong Pilot Free Trade Zone on June 28, 2017 VCG 36 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA Residents and tourists pay their respects to the late leader Deng Xiaoping, chief architect of China’s modernization, in front a portrait of him in Shen- zhen, Guangdong Province, on October 14, 2008.

Xinhua every year from the stock company.

President Xi Jinping vis- ited the village in 2012.
“Life now is far beyond what I could have imagined when I was young,” said 80-year-old Wu, who now works as a vol- unteer in the village.

As the “walking history book” of the vil- lage, he loves to share his story with visitors.

“Without reform and opening up, it is hard to say what my life would be like now,” he added.

Pioneering spirit The development of the Shekou Industrial Zone is another microcosm of the rapid growth of Shenzhen.
The industrial zone took the lead in breaking many shackles and tried every possible way to develop its economy.

“Now, we might take the achievements for granted, but every step the pioneers took in the reform and opening-up process was full of risks.

They were heading on a road that no one else had ever taken and didn’t know whether every step would work or fail in the end,” said Liu Wei, deputy general manager of China Merchants Shekou Industrial Zone Hold- ings Co. Ltd.
In the Shekou Museum of Reform and Opening up, launched in December 2017, there are two exhibition halls.

One is about the history of the Shekou Industrial Zone, while the other is about Yuan Geng, dubbed the “father of Shekou.” “Yuan is a legendary figure,” Liu said.
“He was a fearless explorer and played a key role in establishing the Shekou In- dustrial Zone.” Born in 1921 in Boan County, now a district of Shenzhen, Yuan joined the CPC in 1938 and served in the People’s Lib- eration Army as a soldier before becoming a senior military officer.

He became a diplomat after the founding of the Peo- ple’s Republic of China in 1949.

When he was dispatched to South China to do research on possible development plans in 1975, he was already 61 years old.
After thorough investigations, Yuan concluded that to develop the economy, foreign investment had to be injected into China’s economy.

His proposal got a go-ahead from the Central Government.

Yuan chose a piece of undeveloped land in west Shenzhen, which covered over 12 square km and bordered the New Ter- ritories in Hong Kong, for an industrial district.
He helped build it from scratch to attract overseas investment, aiming to fuse the advantages of cheap land and labor from the inland with Hong Kong’s funds and technology.

On July 2, 1979, the groundbreaking explosion demolish- ing the hills in Shekou became known as the “first explosion of reform and opening up.” It made way for land construction to begin.

Shekou, the test tube of the project, set out on a new experimental road.
A large container was renovated to be the team’s office ISSUE 2 · 2018 37 REFORM AND OPENING UP Citizens from Hong Kong ride bicycles at Dapeng New District in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province on April 9, 2012.

A total of 2,400 kilometers of “Green Road” has been built in Shenzhen, which has become the paradise of outdoor lovers.

VCG and was set down right at the construction site.
As the leader in the reform campaign, Yuan conducted a series of bold ex- periments in the industrial zone and made 24 institutional reforms, including distributing wages and housing based on performance and merit, rather than according to official rank, a method that was commonly used in State-owned en- terprises in China at that time.
Overcoming a variety of difficulties, Yuan established the China Merchants Bank, China’s first joint-stock commercial bank, and Ping An Insurance, the nation’s first joint-stock insurer.

He also engineered the revival of the State-owned China Merchants Group, a conglomerate founded in 1872.

In 1982, there were more than 100 companies settled in Shekou.

Many shopping malls started to spring up, with the first bonded area and the first duty-free shop in China all emerging.
“Shekou is very efficient,” Lin Xiaojing, who has been liv- ing there for almost 50 years, said.

“If a person wanted to set up a company, the application process was normally three months in other regions of the country.

But in Shekou, it only took 10 days.” This has made Shekou a magnet for business starters.
By 1992, when Yuan retired at age 75, Shekou had become an industrial kingdom worth over 20 billion yuan ($3.13 billion), and per-capita GDP had climbed to 32,000 yuan In 1980, Shenzhen was upgraded to a Special Economic Zone along with three other coastal cities in South China, with the aim of making it a pioneer in exploring ways to carry out reform and opening up.

($5,000), on a par with the Four Asian Tigers at that time.
In 1979, the GDP of all of Shenzhen was 197 million yuan ($31 million), while in 2017, the number jumped to 2.24 tril- lion yuan ($352 billion), an average annual increase of 23 percent.

Shenzhen has become a gold mine of possibility for people all over the country seeking innovation and adventure.

A future center Some 30 years after Shekou took the lead in reform, Qian- hai, a neighboring area, took the baton to expand and deepen reform.

Similar to Shekou, Qianhai started from nothing.


Zheng 38 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA Hongjie was dispatched as director of the newly established Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co- operation Zone Administration in January 2010 right after the zone was established as a pilot district designed to facili- tate greater cooperation between neighboring Hong Kong and the inland.

The office of the administration was also renovated from abandoned containers at the construction site.
But this time it was a much bigger one with a complex of 333 containers.

About three weeks after taking office as general secretary of the CPC Central Committee in late 2012, Xi chose Guang- dong as the destination for his first inspection tour outside Beijing, and he visited Qianhai.

“Xi said that since the country has provided favorable poli- cies to Qianhai, it should boldly go forward,” said Zheng.
“This is very encouraging to us.” On April 27, 2015, Shekou was incorporated and the Qian- hai-Shekou Free Trade Zone was set up.

Spanning 15 square km of newly reclaimed land on the western edge of Shenzhen, Qianhai is slated to become a large Central Business District (CBD) with a cluster of high-end offices, hotels, apartments and civic institutions when its development is completed by approximately 2020.

“Yuan Geng explored a new pattern for reform,” Zheng said.
“Now we will explore new systems and institutions for future development.” Institutional reform is the major focus.

By June 2012, the State Council had approved 22 policies for Qianhai that were even more preferential than those for Shenzhen.

“It is an SEZ within the Shenzhen SEZ, which is very inno- vative in terms of policy, technology and financial services,” said Wang Jinxia, deputy director of the Qianhai Manage- ment Bureau.
Legal innovation and financial reform have become the key to the zone’s international recognition, and it has attract- ed companies from home and abroad.

Hong Kong laws can be applied to settle economic disputes in Qianhai, which has been highly appreciated by Hong Kong enterprises.

Yumin village in the Luohu District of Shenzhen VCG ISSUE 2 · 2018 The Qianhai zone has also offered preferential tax policies to overseas talent since 2013.
Foreign professionals only have to pay a 15-percent personal income tax rate, while in other areas of the country, the amount is 45 percent.

In addition, it only takes three work days to register a company in Qianhai, with an average of seven companies from Hong Kong settling in Qianhai on a daily basis.

Chen Sheng, a Hong Kong local, started his company in Qianhai in 2015, as one of the first batch of businesses in the zone.
Within a year, the companies got 50 million yuan ($7.85 million) worth of financing.

By 2017, they started helping China’s brand to go abroad with their international networks.

Statistics show that the total added value by firms regis- tered reached 203 billion yuan ($31.8 billion) in 2017, with a year-on-year increase of over 40 percent.

As of the end of March, the zone had had a total of 168,600 registered compa- nies, or an average of 88 new enterprises per day.
“We have completed the planned goal three years in ad- vance, making it China’s fastest-growing zone,” said Wang Jinxia, deputy director of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone Administration.

Greener pastures Dapeng New District, on the other hand, has a different goal from Qianhai’s big CBD objective.

It aims for a milder and greener image as the city shifts from high-speed to high- quality development with more focus on environmental pres- ervation.
With an area of 294 square km and a coastline of 133 km, Dapeng New District is rich in marine resources and is a des- tination for diving enthusiasts.

This is the only area in Shen- zhen that is not evaluated by its GDP.

In the 1990s, companies with intensified energy consump- tion and pollution emissions populated the area.

To restore the ecological environment, 184 such companies were shut down.
Ninety-seven companies renowned for research in biomedicine, gene technology and marine organisms were set up, including the China National Genebank, the largest gene- bank in the world.

The government is not alone in ecological protection.

Di- ve4Love, a non-governmental organization (NGO) initiated by a few diving fans, aims to protect the sea’s coral.
The organization, now with more than 1,600 registered volunteers, set up classes on marine ecology in every primary school, middle school and high school in the Dapeng New District.

The students sometimes have their classes on the beach.

By December 2017, the group had cleaned up 115,000 square meters of ocean and collected over 200 kg of marine debris.

There are 112 volunteer organizations in Dapeng New District, including the largest coral conservation team in the country.
The volunteers in the district are from many coun- tries including Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

“We have gained a reputation as a coral protection NGO,” said Shen Xiaoming, one of the founders of Dive4Love.

“Many divers carry our flag wherever they go diving and take pictures with the flag underwater to share on social me- dia.
We believe with the collective efforts of various parties, Dapeng and Shenzhen can be greener and prettier.” (Beijing Review) 39 REFORM AND OPENING UP The Shenzhen miracle and opening up began in Shenzhen, Southern Guangdong Province.

China’s reform started in rural areas, but its reform Adjacent to Hong Kong, Shenzhen was a small fishing village prior to 1978, but underwent dramatic changes thanks to the reform and opening-up policy.
After the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Com- mittee of the Communist Party of China 40 years ago, reform pioneers, including then Party chief of Guangdong Province Xi Zhongxun, proposed setting up a processing trade area in Shenzhen.

The proposal was approved by the Central Govern- ment and in 1979, Shenzhen City was established.

The follow- ing year, it was approved as a special economic zone.
Since then Shenzhen’s economy has taken off and become a micro- cosm of China’s reform and opening up.

Today, Shenzhen has taken the lead in the economy, sci- ence and technology, and commerce and trade in China.

It has the third largest container port in the world and the larg- est land border port in Asia.

A number of Global 500 compa- nies have set up headquarters in Shenzhen, including tech giants Huawei and Tencent, and real estate companies like Evergrande Group and China Vanke.
As China deepens its reform and opening up, Shenzhen’s experiences may provide useful guidance for other areas.

It is worth learning from Shenzhen’s courage in pursuing reform, which was not all smooth sailing.

There were doubts and questions at the beginning, and the city wavered in its attempts at reform.
Late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping who devised the reform and opening-up policy inspected Shen- zhen twice, in 1984 and 1992, respectively and challenged it to be more daring in experimenting with the policy.

Shen- zhen implemented the policy through bold trials since there was no precedence to draw from.

It had to cross the river by feeling for stones.


The key to Shenzhen’s success is promoting the socialist market economy with Chinese characteristics: China’s contri- bution to human economic and social development that has provided valuable experiences for other countries with dif- ferent political systems and cultures.

As the first practitioner and consistent endorser of the economic system, Shenzhen offers valuable lessons for other areas in China to pursue the economic model.
The export-oriented economy boosted Shenzhen’s growth and increased China’s involvement with the global economy.

Shenzhen drove its own development and improved its in- ternational competitiveness by absorbing foreign investment and providing a fair and convenient environment for foreign investors.

As reform and opening up wade through uncharted wa- ters, the key to maintaining steady and healthy growth is to continue expanding reform and opening up.
Shenzhen’s suc- cess is still very relevant in this regard.

(Beijing Review) A picture taken on August 21, 2014 shows the overall view of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Cooperation Zone in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, which was under construction.

VCG 40 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA China remains committed to opening up Port of Shekou in Shenzhen on December 6, 2013 VCG foreign investment, with the number of items down to 48 from 63 in the previous version.
On June 28, China unveiled a new negative list for The new list widens market access for foreign investment in primary, secondary and tertiary sectors, de- tailing 22 opening-up measures in fields including finance, transportation, professional services, infrastructure, energy, resources, and agriculture.

This marks the latest efforts of the Chinese government to expand opening-up and invite foreign investors to join in China’s economic development.
In fact, China’s economic development over the past four decades has been a process of actively integrating with the world economy and constantly expanding its opening up.

Over the past 40 years, China’s GDP has averaged an an- nual growth rate of around 9.5 percent in comparable prices.

The country’s foreign trade has also registered an annual growth of 14.5 percent in US dollar term.
Seventeen years after joining the World Trade Organiza- tion (WTO), China has comprehensively fulfilled its commit- ments to the WTO, substantially opened its market to the world, and delivered mutually beneficial and win-win out- comes.

As of 2010, China had already delivered on all of its tariff reduction commitments, lowering the overall tariff level from 15.3 percent in 2001 to 9.8 percent, according to a white pa- per titled “China and the World Trade Organization” released on June 28.
In 2015, China’s trade-weighted average tariff was re- duced to 4.4 percent, fairly close to 2.4 percent of the United States and 3 percent of the European Union, Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen said.

A more open China has provided the world with more in- vestment opportunities and contributed to global growth.

Foreign direct investment in the Chinese mainland rose 7.9 percent to reach 878 billion yuan ($138.6 billion) in 2017, an all-time high.
China has given zero tariff treatment on 97 percent of tar- iff lines to the least-developed nations that have diplomatic relations with China.

China has become the biggest export market for these least-developed countries, accounting for 20 percent of their total exports.
China has maintained an annual growth of 7.1 percent over the past five years, contributing over 30 percent of glob- al economic growth, more than the contribution made by the United States, the eurozone countries, and Japan combined, according to the World Bank.

More importantly, China has contributed to the safeguard- ing of international trade rules, setting an example for the world to follow.
As a beneficiary, active participant and contributor of glo- balization, China has no reason to backtrack from opening up in the future.

The country will remain committed to its path of opening- up, continue with its non-stop efforts to streamline adminis- tration, lower taxes and reduce fees, enhance policy transpar- ency, and strengthen the protection of property rights.
China will further align its business environment with in- ternational economic and trade rules, encourage competition and oppose monopoly, and create more opportunities for it- self and the world to build a community with a shared future for humanity.
(Xinhua) ISSUE 2 · 2018 41 PEOPLE Legendary ‘Flying Tigers’ widow, Anna Chennault, dies at 94 By Zhao Huanxin She was awarded a medal by President Xi Jinping to honor the late General Chennault, who led the American Volunteer Group to help China drive out invading Japanese troops.

The group, called the Flying Tigers by the Chinese for their cour- age, was formed in 1941.

In China, and in Chinese communities worldwide, “Flying Tigers”, Chen Xiangmei and Chennault have been household names for decades.
The first female reporter for the official news agency of China in the 1940s, Chennault met General Chennault in Kunming.

The two married in Shanghai in 1947 after his di- vorce.

She moved to Washington DC after the general died in 1958.

She would later recall their 11-year marriage during a trip to China: “A person always needs love.

The 11 years of the marriage with General Chennault was the most precious time in my life.
Though he left us a long time ago, I still miss him,” she said, according to a report posted on china.org.cn on April 14, 2010.

“When my grandfather passed away, Anna could have been content just to return to her home country, but she de- cided to stay and continue the legacy that General Chenault had started in 1937,” said Nell Chennault Calloway, president of the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum in Monroe, Louisiana.
Chennault stayed true to her mission to serve both China and the US, Calloway, step granddaughter of Anna Chen- nault, told China Daily.

“I am very sure she went through many struggles as a young widow with two small children.

Her accomplishments are truly remarkable and a role model for many struggling young widows,” she said.

“She was a very good person to be able to honor my grand- father’s memory and his legacy and continue to work to build a relationship between China and the US,” Calloway added.
“I think that’s the most important thing that I truly re- spected in my heart for doing that.” Douglas H. Paal, vice-president for studies, Asia Program, at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Wash- ington, said the Flying Tigers have a romantic image in the American memory, being brave airmen helping China in dire straits against their common enemy at the time, Japan.
“She and the late Senator Ted Stevens sought to keep the memory alive because of their personal participation during the war,” Paal said.

Frank Wu, chairman of the Committee of 100, said Gen- Anna Chennault Xinhua Anna Chennault had since visited the mainland frequently and was an active player in promoting cultural exchanges between China and the US.
Anna Chennault, a legendary figure in US-China re- lations and widow of US General Claire Lee Chen- nault, the leader of the “Flying Tigers” air squad- ron, died on March 30 at her home in Washington DC.

She was 94.
She was 94.

Families and friends of Chennault, who was born Chen Xiangmei in Beijing on June 23, 1923, remembered her as a highly respectable person who cherished fond memories of her hero husband and kept alive his legacy in building on the bond between the people of the two countries forged during tough times.

Chennault had complications from a recent stroke, said her daughter, Cynthia Chennault, The Washington Post re- ported on April 3.
She was also survived by another daughter, Claire Anna Chennault; three sisters; and two grandsons.

Chennault last attended official events in China in Sep- tember 2015, when she was invited to the V-Day celebra- tions in Beijing.

42 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA eral Chennault had an important role in modern Chinese his- tory and Mrs. Chennault was very much part of that legacy.

“Mrs.

Chennault was a legend in her own time; few achieve such status,” Wu said in an email.
“She was that extraordi- narily rare private citizen who could serve as a diplomat.

She was known to all and respected by all.” Chennault joined the New York-based non-governmental organization in 1991.

Expressing its sympathies for her pass- ing, the committee said in a statement, “Everyone working on US-China relations was aware of her.

Her death marks the end of an era.” Over the years, Chennault had become one of the most influential private citizens in the nation’s capital.
She was renowned for having the ear of many presidents and for her influence on foreign policy, the statement said.

At the end of 1980, shortly after Ronald Reagan was elected US president, she was sent to Beijing as a special am- bassador to meet with Deng Xiaoping.

The next year, she es- tablished the Chen Hsiang-mei Education Prize in more than a dozen cities in the mainland.
She had since visited the mainland frequently and was an active player in promoting cultural exchanges between China and the US, as well as across the Taiwan Straits, according to earlier Chinese media.
(China Daily) Chennault, Anna Chennault and their daughters VCG Another side to Flying Tigers’ story When people think about one of the most fa- mous fighter plane outfits in World War II history — the Flying Tigers — they usually think about the American Volunteer Group (AVG) pilots who helped China fight the Japanese.

Yet there were also some Chinese pilots who joined the Flying Tigers and fought alongside the Americans, and who are too often left out of the spotlight.
Liu Hang, a visiting scholar at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, brought the untold side of the Flying Tigers story to Americans with an exhibit of photos displayed in North Carolina on Memorial Day.

Liu is a Chinese journalist who has interviewed and pho- tographed more than 30 Chinese veterans of World War II over the past 13 years.

“They are forgotten heroes, and I hope their stories can be known by more people — they deserve to be remembered and honored,” Liu said.
“I got this chance to show Americans their stories, which is very meaningful to me.” Liu said one of the veterans he photographed, Chen Bingjing, was one of the first 12 Chinese pilots to join the Fly- ing Tigers.

Like Chen, most of the Chinese pilots were sent to the US and trained at an air base in Arizona before they joined the US-China joint force.
On October 13, 1943, Chen’s bomber engaged with more than 30 Japanese Zero fighters while returning from a mis- A picture reproduced on March 21, 2014 shows a group photo of Long Qiming (1st L) and his teammates from the American Volunteer Group (Fly- ing Tigers) at the Kunming Wujiaba Airport in Yunnan Province.

Liu Chan ISSUE 2 · 2018 43 PEOPLE sion.

His plane was hit, badly damaged, and he had to jump.

A photo of Chen was taken in 2012 at the opening of the Kunming Flying Tigers Museum.
At the time, he had donated his flight jacket to the museum, the same one he was wearing when he jumped out the plane in 1943.

In the photo, Chen was wearing that jacket and burst into tears in front of the big picture of US General Claire Lee Chennault, founder of the Flying Tigers, and his comrades exhibited in the museum.
Other photos in the Forgotten Heroes in US-China Joint Air Forces during WWII include portraits of Chinese Flying Tigers pilots such as Wu Qiyao, Lin Yushui and Liao Tanqing and other veterans of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).

Wang Jingfang, who joined the North- east Army in 1927, witnessed the September 18 Incident and participated in the battle of Taierzhuang — the Chinese army’s first frontal battlefield victory.
Li Chunyang, one of the veterans Liu photographed, was a soldier of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army.

He joined the army when he was 23 and carried on guerrilla op- erations to fight the Japanese Kanto army during that time.

“That piece of the story is something we all hold very dear in our mind,” said Gu Hongbin, a Chapel Hill Town Council member.
“And for myself, it’s the first time the story of how American and Chinese pilots fought side by side during the World War II has been told.” “It captures the bravery and the spirit of these soldiers so many years ago and will allow them to be seen for many generations in the future,” said Dave Kerr, son of Lieutenant Donald Kerr, who served in the US Army’s 14th Air Force — partly formed from the Flying Tigers squadron.

“Liu has cap- tured all those memories before we lost them forever.
“They (the Chinese veterans in the photos) were wearing the same outfits as my father, and he probably knew some of them,” Kerr said.

His father was rescued by local Chinese people after he jumped out of his P-40 fighter on February 11, 1944, a time when Japan’s military controlled a large part of China.

“It’s very good to see an exhibition in the US about these Chinese soldiers because here we only got to see American soldiers, and we forgot these good friends during the war years,” Kerr said.
“We had that great time and friendship during the war and we hope we can continue to build on it.”(China Daily) A file photo shows the air base of the American Volunteer Groups (Flying Tigers) in Kunming, Yunnan Province.

In December 1941 when the Pacific War broke out, China, the US, Soviet Union and the UK officially agreed to establish the Anti-Fascist Alliance.

The US Air Force were dispatched to join the battle in China, Myanmar and India.
In the following three years, the Sino-US joint aircraft destroyed most of the Japanese forces in China.

VCG 44 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA NPC DEPUTY Luo Jun (C), a deputy to the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC), attends the third plenary meeting of the first session of the 13th NPC at the Great Hall of the People on March 11.

Luo Yunfei Threading tradition into the present day By Hu Yongqi strong renaissance.
T raditional craft of the Yi ethnic group enjoys a Since her childhood, when she would watch her mother at work, Luo Jun has been pursuing her am- bition to preserve the traditional embroidery of the Yi ethnic group and bring real benefits to her fellow embroiderers in Yunnan Province.

“Embroidering has been part of my family for genera- tions, like many other families in Yi communities.

My moth- er was highly skilled in Yi-style needlework and costume- making.
Her work formed my first impressions of beauty,” Luo said.

Locals have a saying that Yi women can embroider as long as they have a needle and thread.

However, Yi people have another custom; children should burn the embroidery of their mothers after they pass away.

“When my mom told me that, I burst into tears and want- ed to keep the traditional craft alive,” she said.
“So, like many other Yi girls, I started to learn embroidery.” Luo also understood that a love of needlework would not enough to keep the skill alive.

She would have to find another way.

So she started a company.

The company, focusing on Yi-style embroidery products, was established in 2009.
Local women get paid for their embroidery and the raw materials are provided by the company, which provides the ISSUE 2 · 2018 45 NPC DEPUTY 3,000 embroiderers work for the company and its revenues were more than 20 million yuan last year, a year-on-year in- crease of more than 25 percent.

Long process of transformation Liang Bofa, a sales manager of Miyilu’s branch in Kun- ming, the provincial capital, proudly displays a piece of em- broidery, about 4 meters in length and 1 meter wide.
“Camel- lias are embroidered on this piece, which usually takes more than two embroiderers more than a year to make,” he said.

Liang explains that the camellia is a popular flower among the Yi people, but such a big piece is extremely rare.

“Embroi- dery needs patience and persistence, otherwise the works will not be beautiful and will not be accepted by buyers,” he said.
Luo said women of the Yi ethnic group were “born with the gene to make beautiful artwork”, but the fact that every woman has her own view about beauty made it a long and difficult process to make the embroidery a commercial pros- pect.

For example, Yi people favor natural colors such as dark red and green.

However, many potential customers prefer less-dominant hues.

Therefore, training and quality control are necessary to ensure the embroidery can be sold.
For Luo, if the traditional craft is to survive, it has to ac- cept the latest fashion trends.

New role Luo’s contribution in promoting and saving ethnic culture and increasing income for her workers has won her recogni- tion.

In January, she was elected a deputy to the 13th Nation- al People’s Congress, the only one in her county.

The new identity started a new phase in her life.

“Behind me are thousands of embroiderers and inheritors of intangible cultural heritage.
So I must speak for them, call- ing for more support to prolong our traditional arts and tech- niques,” Luo said.

Before the NPC annual session in March, Luo surveyed many embroiderers in Dayao’s Tanhua township.

She found some young embroiderers were uncertain about the future.

Therefore, Luo was especially interested in sections of the Government Work Report on the development of ethnic cul- ture and micro-sized enterprises.
During the congress, she suggested that more support should be given to small enterprises in the cultural sector as well as industries based on intangible ethnic cultural heri- tages.

Brands should be made for these industries related to ethnic culture, she wrote in the suggestions.

Following her return to Dayao after the NPC session concluded, Luo propa- gated key policies for her company, local communities and among some local officials.
“Many people paid attention to the sessions and I ex- plained more about key agendas such as the constitutional amendment,” Luo said with pride.

“As a deputy from a border area, I will focus on rural af- fairs, including poverty alleviation.

I will strive to be voice for local people, so they get more attention and support as a deputy elected by local people,” she added.
(China Daily) Luo Jun (R) displays a handbag featuring the embroidery of the Yi ethnic group in her workshop at Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture in South- west China’s Yunnan Province on August 14, 2016.

As a female entrepre- neur of the Yi ethnic group, Luo set up a cooperative in 2011 to produce modern embroidery in the Yi ethnic style.

Yang Zongyou necessary training and then sells the products.
By starting her own business, Luo, chairman of the Miy- ilu Ethnic Costume Co., has managed to fulfill her ambition and at the same time given an opportunity to local women to make a living through their needlework, and in turn pass on the traditional skills to another generation.

Helping others Many people living in mountainous regions have few ways to make living aside from farming.
But after training, embroiderers can earn as much as 70,000 yuan ($11,100) a year working for her company, an exceptionally high salary for people living in mountainous Dayao county in the Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, one of the country’s two prefectures for the ethnic group.

In 2010, only 36 women joined the company so Luo start- ed to organize training to inform women about the skill and the demand for the embroidery.

In the first few years, the company did not turn a profit.
At that time, even Luo herself had little concept of “making a product”.

But her passion drove her on.

And the business grew, with more local women joining.

But selling the pieces was still difficult.

“Embroiderers know how to make, but they don’t know how to sell,” Luo said.

But she persevered.

After conducting research and sur- veys, the company discovered more about their potential market and what customers might want.

The company then started to offer training courses on new patterns and designs.
Meanwhile, more products were offered, ranging from pillows, wallets to decorations for ve- hicles.

The company’s strategy finally paid off.

Now more than 46 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA An aerial view of Shenzhen, South China’s Guangdong Province VCG ISSUE 2 · 2018 47