Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697705229283.pdf (China)
NPC National People’s Congress of China ISSUE 1 · 2015 《中国人大》对外版 THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS ADVANCES RULE OF LAW Ethnic minority deputies wave farewell on March 15 when the Third Session of the 12th National People’s Congress (NPC) comes to an end at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Chen Wen 6 The National People’s Congress advances rule of law Contents Special Report 6 The National People’s Congress advances rule of law 8 Report on the work of the Stand- ing Committee of the National Peo- ple’s Congress (excerpts) 13 Zhang Dejiang stresses imple- mentation of ‘Four Comprehensives’ Reform and Development 14 Slower growth target, tough- er environmental protection benefit China and the world 15 Streamlining administration is government’s self-reform 25 ‘Internet Plus’ to fuel innova- tion, development 16 China sanguine on economy under new normal 18 Pooling strength on ‘Belt and Road’ strategy 22 Free trade zone strategy in speedy implementation 23 Prudent monetary policy still in place 23 Fertile soil provided for foreign investment 24 Yuan’s full convertibility to advance Diplomacy and Defense 26 China eyes bigger global role with Chinese solutions 28 Defense budget 2015 lowest growth in 5 years Judicial Reform 29 China vows harsher punish- ment for corruption, terrorism 31 Self-reproach is the right atti- tude to advance judicial reform 16 China sanguine on economy under new normal 8 Report on the work of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (excerpts) 18 Pooling strength on ‘Belt and Road’ strategy ISSUE 1 · 2015 Legislation Law 32 Legislation Law revised to pave way for legal reform 35 Good law indispensable to ‘Four Comprehensives’ 40 NPC’s first spokeswoman shares her experience 41 A law on domestic violence called for 41 522 motions submitted at an- nual parliamentary session Close-up 37 Why do Chinese leaders join discussions with legislators, politi- cal advisors 39 Find a balance on people’s representation Picture 42-47 COVER: The Third Session of the 12th Na- tional People’s Congress (NPC) convenes from March 5 to 15, 2015 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
CFP 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 SPECIAL REPORT The National People’s Congress advances rule of law The closing meeting of the Third Session of China’s 12th NPC is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 15.
Ma Zhancheng 6 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA cluded its annual session on March 15, 2015.

The National People’s Congress (NPC) con- The session fulfilled its task, building consensus among the people, clarifying the missions ahead and raising confidence, said Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, who pre- sided over the closing meeting.
The NPC deputies approved a number of impor- tant documents, including the Government Work Re- port, the national economic and social development plan and the central budget.

They endorsed the work reports of the NPC Stand- ing Committee, the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate.

One of the most important outcomes at this ses- sion is the revision to the Legislation Law, Zhang said.
The revised law improves legislative system, fur- ther clarifies legislative power and streamlines the procedure, he said.

The law is of great significance to the effort of perfecting the socialist legal system centering on the Constitution, he said.

The top legislator stressed that all work should center on the strategic layout of “Four Compre- hensives”, i.e.
comprehensively build a moderately prosperous society, comprehensively deepen reform, comprehensively implement the rule of law, and com- prehensively strengthen Party discipline.

“The NPC is facing new requirements and having new tasks to keep a balance between reform and leg- islation,” he said.
While adhering to the socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics, the NPC will work to ensure that all reform measures are in conformity with laws and legislation is updated according to the needs of the reform and economic and social development, he said.

Zhang stressed the role of people’s congresses as a major platform to connect with the people in a bid to push forward socialist democracy.
Zhang called on all NPC deputies to enhance their sense of responsibility, develop close contacts with the people, promptly respond to people’s requests and be supervised by them.

The lawmakers also approved the resignations of two NPC Standing Committee members, Chen Jining and Chen Hao, at the closing meeting.

Chen Jining took the office as minister of environ- mental protection in February.
Chen Hao was ap- pointed vice governor of Southwest China’s Yunnan Province last October and elected the governor in January.

According to the Constitution, NPC Standing Com- mittee members, elected from NPC deputies, are not allowed to take posts in governments, courts and procuratorates.

The NPC Standing Committee accepted their res- ignations in February and last November respectively and submitted them to the full session for final confir- mation.
(Xinhua) 7 Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC), presides over the closing meeting of the Third Session of the 12th NPC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 15.
Lan Hongguang ISSUE 1 · 2015 SPECIAL REPORT Report on the work of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (excerpts) Delivered at the Third Session of the 12th National People’s Congress on March 8, 2015 Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Major Tasks for 2015 In 2015, the overall requirements for the work of the NPC Standing Committee are as follows: comprehen- sively implement the guidelines of the 18th National Party Congress and the third and fourth plenary sessions of the 18th CPC Central Committee; hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics; follow the guidance of Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development; put into practice the guiding principles from General Secretary Xi Jinping’s major speeches; remain committed to integrating leadership by the Party, the position of the people as masters of the country, and the law-based governance of the country; and focus on the strategic goals of finishing building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, comprehensively deepening reform, fully advancing law-based governance of China, and promoting all-round strengthening of Party self-conduct as we perform our functions and powers and carry out our work in accordance with the law.
We also need to give full play to the NPC’s role as the highest or- gan of State power in building China into a socialist rule of law country; uphold the authority of the Constitution and other laws; promote socialist rule of law; and make new contributions toward achieving the Two Centenary Goals* and realizing the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
The second plenary meeting of the Third Session of China’s 12th NPC is held at the Great Hall of the Peo- ple in Beijing on March 8.
Li Xiang 8 8 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA Improving the socialist system of laws with Chinese characteristics, at the heart of which is the Constitution As we implement the guidelines of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, we need to be- gin with legislation, focusing on the key task of improving the quality of legislation.
We will coordinate our legislative work with the country’s decisions on reform to make sure that all of the country’s major reforms have a legal basis, and that legislative work is carried out proactively to meet the needs of reform as well as economic and social development, thereby letting legislation play its role of guiding and driving reform and development.

We will improve the systems for enforcing the Constitution and for overseeing its enforcement.
Law on Deputies to the National People’s Congress and Dep- uties to Local People’s Congresses, and the Law on Adminis- trative Review.

We will develop national legislation to fight corruption and work out revisions to the Law on Administra- tive Supervision.

Third, we will push forward with legislation concerning social issues.

We will work on a community correction law, an anti-domestic violence law, a law on traditional Chinese medicine, and a charity law.
We will revise the Food Safety Law and the Law on the Red Cross Society, and pass Amend- ment IX to the Criminal Law.

Fourth, we will advance legislation concerning cultural, educational, and ecological issues, work to formulate a law for guaranteeing public cultural services and a law on na- tional medals and titles of honor, and revise the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Law as well as educational laws.
Enforcing the Constitution is a priority and a fundamental task in building China into a social- ist rule of law country.

Spreading knowledge about the Constitution and establishing and safeguard- ing its authority among the public must be viewed as major tasks in fully advancing the law-based governance of the country, which should be carried out properly and without delay.
We will improve the mechanism by which the NPC and its Standing Committee oversee the enforcement of the Constitu- tion, put in place sound proce- dures and mechanisms to inter- pret the Constitution, and develop a system of pledging allegiance to the Constitution for officials as- suming office.
We will work hard to ensure proper record-keeping and review of normative docu- ments, and to see that, in accor- dance with legal procedures, any normative document that conflicts with the Constitution or other laws is rescinded or corrected.

We will advance legislation in key areas.


Keeping closely in mind the Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC), delivers a work report of the NPC Standing Committee during the second plenary meeting of the Third Session of the 12th NPC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 8.

Xie Huanchi Fifth, we will uphold the rule of law in our efforts to advance na- tional security.
We will formulate a national security law, an anti- terrorism law, a law on the man- agement of international NGOs in China, and a cyber-security law.

We will improve our leg- islative systems and mecha- nisms.

The NPC and its Standing Com- mittee will continue to play the dominant role in legislative work.

We will make adjustments to the legislative plans of the Standing Committee.
We will establish a mechanism by which the NPC’s special committees and the work- ing committees of the NPC Stand- ing Committee organize relevant departments to participate in the drafting of major laws, and estab- lish a sound system whereby spe- cialists act as legislative advisors to the special committees of people’s congresses and to the working committees of the standing com- mittees of people’s congresses.
By strengthening the ranks of those working on legislation, we will im- prove our capacity for carrying out practical needs in the country’s economic and social develop- ment, we will adopt a coordinated approach with clear priori- ties and establish legislative tasks in a well-conceived way.

First, we will improve the system of laws for the socialist market economy.
We will make revisions to the following laws: the Securities Law, the Law on Promoting the Applica- tion of Scientific and Technological Advances, the Seed Law, the Law on the Contracting of Rural Land, and the Advertis- ing Law; we will intensify our efforts to research and begin work on developing a civil code.

Second, we will improve legislation on democracy.


We will revise the Electoral Law for the National People’s Congress and Local People’s Congresses, the Organic Law of the Local People’s Congresses and Local People’s Governments, the legislative work.

We will ensure that the NPC better organizes and coor- dinates legislative work and improve the channels and ways through which legislative bodies lead legislation and other sectors of society participate systematically.
We will expand the role played by NPC deputies in the drafting and revising of laws by extensively consulting with them, and then fol- Note: * The Two Centenary Goals are to finish building a moderately prosper- ous society in all respects by the time the CPC celebrates its centenary in 2021; and to turn China into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, and harmonious by the time the People’s Republic of China celebrates its centenary in 2049.
ISSUE 1 · 2015 9 SPECIAL REPORT lowing up on and adopting their useful suggestions.

We will hold consultations on legislation with a view to putting into practice the guidelines for strengthening the development of socialist consultative democracy.

We will improve the mechanisms by which legislative bod- ies communicate with the general public, expand the chan- nels for citizens’ systematic participation in the legislative process, and enhance the publicity of legislative work.
We will create better mechanisms for soliciting comments on leg- islation from local people’s congresses, and explore ways of staying connected to local communities on legislative issues.

We will continue to improve our legislative work by making legislation more targeted and refining the legislative process.
Strengthening oversight over compliance with laws and over the work of the State Council, the Supreme People’s Court, and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate General Secretary Xi Jinping stated that “the important principle behind the system of people’s congresses and the basic requirement of its institutional design are to subject the exercise of power by all State organs and their employees to constraints and oversight.” The NPC and its Standing Com- mittee must perform their constitutional and legal duties of oversight and safeguard the unity, sanctity, and authority of the country’s legal system.
We will increase efforts to monitor and inspect compliance with laws.

Adapting to the new situation in fully advancing the law- based governance of the country, we will facilitate the State Council’s efforts toward carrying out administration in ac- cordance with the law and the efforts of the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate to administer justice in an impartial way, ensuring that laws are enforced properly and effectively.
We will arrange inspections of compliance with the Law on the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution, the Law on the Protection of Consumers’ Rights and Interests, the Agri- culture Law, the Law on Regional Ethnic Autonomy, the Law on Guaranteeing the Rights and Interests of Senior Citizens, and the Law on Vocational Education.

We will intensify ef- forts to inspect law enforcement and make our work in this regard more authoritative, targeted, and effective.
We will step up oversight over the work of the State Council, the Supreme People’s Court, and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate.

Adapting to the new normal in the country’s economic de- velopment, we will give impetus to implementing the major policies and plans of the CPC Central Committee.
We will listen to and deliberate on reports from the State Council regarding its work and progress in promoting deeper integrated development of information technology and in- dustrialization through the application of new advances in information technology, facilitating development of the pilot free trade zones, developing the system of public cultural services, stabilizing and improving rural land contract rela- tions, and deepening reform of the medical and health care systems.
We will strengthen oversight over judicial activities, and listen to and deliberate on the Supreme People’s Court’s re- The second plenary meeting of the Third Session of China’s 12th Na- tional People’s Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 8.

Ma Zhancheng port on judgments in administrative cases and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate’s report on its oversight over the en- forcement of penal decisions.

We will strengthen oversight over budgets and fi- nal accounts.
Examining and approving government budgets and final accounts and overseeing the implementation of budgets are legally mandated powers of all levels of people’s congresses and their standing committees.

The revised Budget Law has made new provisions and set forth new requirements concerning the scope of government budgets and final accounts subject to review and oversight, the review procedures and areas of priority, and the bodies charged with exercising oversight and their responsibilities.
We will make the most of the opportunity that comes with implementing the revised Budget Law to earnestly strengthen review and oversight over budgets and final accounts.

We will listen to and deliberate over reports on the gov- ernment’s final accounts, auditing work, and implementation of budgets, and review and approve the central government’s final accounts for 2014.
We will listen to and deliberate on a report from the State Council on strengthening the manage- ment of government debt, and carry out research on how to improve budgeting for State capital operations.

We will continue to explore ways to improve oversight work in order to make it more targeted and effective.
We will strengthen the role of special inquiries, and carry out spe- cial inquiries during our listening to and deliberation over reports on inspections of the enforcement of the Law on the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution and the Law on Vocational Education.

We will strengthen follow-up oversight, and make ar- 10 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA suggestions to the Standing Committee.
We will see that the Standing Committee, the special com- mittees, and the working committees inform deputies of im- portant developments in the work of the NPC and solicit their comments and suggestions on these developments, and make sure this work becomes regular practice.

We will improve the system of soliciting suggestions from deputies on the drafting of laws.
We will see to it that the State Council, the Supreme People’s Court, and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate hold forums for NPC deputies at regular or irregular intervals to listen to deputies’ views on their major decisions and endeav- ors, and thus expand the avenues by which deputies learn about State affairs and developments.

We will introduce guidelines on helping deputies maintain contact with the people in order to foster closer ties between deputies and the people.
We will set up a platform for NPC deputies to better perform their duties, and encourage them to participate in the activities of the liaison offices of their respective local people’s congresses.

Through these efforts to extensively and directly listen to people’s suggestions and to give expression to social conditions and public sentiment, we will be able to better pool together and draw from the wisdom of the people.
We will organize NPC deputies from relevant sectors to carry out research on issues of wide public concern which we have chosen and create proposals and suggestions.

We will give full play to the role of deputies, and strength- en our capacity to help them perform their duties in accor- dance with the law.

We will improve the system of study and training for deputies as well as mechanisms to raise their ability and professional competence.
We will refine the mechanisms for deliberating on depu- ties’ proposals and better integrate the deliberation of their proposals with legislative work.

We will improve the mecha- nisms for handling deputies’ suggestions, by helping the organizations to which deputies’ suggestions are referred strengthen direct communication and contact with deputies, so that these organizations can effectively improve their work and relevant policies to solve problems.
We will actively and steadily make public the suggestions of deputies and the out- comes they produce.

We will improve deputies’ political integrity and conduct, support electoral bodies in improving their mechanisms for oversight in accordance with the law, and monitor and en- courage deputies in the performance of their duties so that they work diligently and in accordance with the law and the codes of discipline.
The case of vote buying that occurred in the city of Heng- yang, Hunan Province, was severely dealt with in accordance with the law and the codes of discipline.

We must take this profound lesson to heart, and improve relevant institutions to close all loopholes.
We must effectively strengthen the Party’s leadership over the election of deputies to people’s congresses, be strict in the election of deputies, follow pro- cedures strictly in accordance with the law, make full use of the role of the standing committees of people’s congresses at all levels, improve the mechanisms for reviewing deputies’ qualifications, and tighten oversight over the whole process of electing deputies in order to ensure that elections are car- ried out honestly.
We will do our best in carrying out the NPC’s foreign 11 rangements for listening to and deliberating on the State Council’s feedback report on how it has responded to our report on inspections of the enforcement of the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Law and our comments, as well as its report on its work to correct the serious problems uncovered through auditing.
We will carry out research on certain major issues in com- piling the 13th Five-Year Plan and make arrangements for listening to and deliberating on the reports produced therein.
Deepening and expanding work related to deputies General Secretary Xi Jinping has made it clear that “State organs at all levels and their employees must use their au- thority and perform their duties to benefit and serve the peo- ple; adopt the idea that strengthening ties with the deputies to people’s congresses and the general public is an integral part of being responsible to the people and accepting their oversight; and listen to the comments and suggestions of deputies and the people with an open mind.” The Standing Committee must take the lead in conscien- tiously putting these requirements into practice; actively respond to people’s concerns by strengthening contact with them and the NPC deputies in more areas and through a wider variety of channels; be where the people need it to be; voluntarily accept the oversight of the people; and constantly improve the work of the NPC.
We will uphold and improve the system by which mem- bers of the Chairperson’s Council and the Standing Commit- tee maintain direct contact with NPC deputies, and support and ensure deputies’ efforts to listen extensively to the peo- ple’s suggestions regarding the legislative and oversight top- ics of the Standing Committee and proactively deliver these ISSUE 1 · 2015 SPECIAL REPORT relations work in light of the overall plans of the CPC Cen- tral Committee for the country’s diplomatic work.
We will strengthen the mechanisms for regular exchanges with for- eign parliaments and congresses and increase our friendly foreign contacts at all levels so as to consolidate the social foundation and public support for developing long-term stable relations between China and other countries.
We will work to create a favorable external environment for domestic development; play an active and positive role in accelerating the country’s pace of “going global”, promoting the develop- ment of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and protecting China’s legitimate rights and interests overseas; and better comply with and serve China’s national development strategy.
We will make solid steps forward in strengthening the Standing Committee’s self-improvement, increase our sense of political responsibility as representatives of the people in exercising the power of managing the country, and concen- trate our work and efforts on implementing the CPC Central Committee’s major policies and plans.
We will follow the principle of rule of law in our thinking and action to improve and develop the work of the NPC, and play an exemplary role in respecting, studying, abiding by, and applying the law.

We will continue to increase contact with local people’s con- gresses and hold conferences on the work of the NPC.

We will put in place long-term mechanisms for making persistent ef- forts to improve the manner in which we carry out our work.
We will improve the bodies of the NPC, and build a highly competent team devoted to legislative work and the work of the NPC as a whole.

The bodies of the NPC must support the work of the discipline inspection groups sent to them by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and read- ily accept oversight.
(Xinhua) Top legislator stresses CPC leadership, confidence in people’s congresses Top legislator Zhang Dejiang underscored on March 8 the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in the work of the country’s national legislature, while expressing confi- dence in the system of people’s congresses.
The CPC leadership is the most essential feature of social- ism with Chinese characteristics, said Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), while delivering a work report at a plenary meeting of the top legislature’s annual session.

“In adhering to and improving the system of people’s con- gresses, we must unwaveringly uphold the Party’s leadership and strengthen our confidence in the system,” he said.
“We must improve the system on the basis of upholding the Party’s leadership and develop it through practice to ensure it advances with the times,” the top legislator added.

According to the Constitution, the 61-year-old people’s congress system is the fundamental political system in China, which has about 2.6 million lawmakers at various levels, elected by respective constituencies, directly or indirectly.
Lawmakers are required to learn about the most pressing needs of the people as well as national urgencies.

They push forward national and local policies through field studies, collect- ing public opinion and submitting motions and suggestions.

provided a fundamental institutional arrangement for integrating leadership by the Party, the position of the people as masters of the country, and the law-based governance of the country.
It is also the fundamental political system underpinning Chi- na’s governance system and capacity for governance, Zhang added.

Noting that China’s system of people’s congresses is fun- damentally different from the West, Wang Changjiang, a re- searcher with the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, said the former has the advantage of ensuring people’s position as masters of the country.
“Chinese lawmakers come from all walks of life and hence are the living embodiment of the will of the mass,” Wang said.

“That gives superiority to the people’s congresses.” His words were echoed by Lin Yinmao, vice secretary- general of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress Standing Committee, who noted that lawmakers have spearheaded and helped to push forward reforms vital for the country in the face of the “new normal”, via their legislation work.
According to Zhang Dejiang, lawmakers will speed up leg- islation to fight corruption, and will work to revise the law on air pollution prevention and control in 2015.

Lawmakers are also expected to review draft revisions to Looking back on the NPC’s Standing Committee work over the past year, Zhang said the top legislature had been uphold- ing the Party’s leadership throughout every process and aspect of the work.
China’s Legislation Law at the annual session, which bans ministries and local governments from issuing rules and policies that mitigate citizens’ rights or increase their obligations without legal foundation.

“Upholding the Party’s leadership over people’s congresses is for ensuring that the Party can exercise leadership over the State and society through organs of political power,” Zhang said.
Liang Ying, a member of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee, meanwhile cast his eyes on a bigger picture, that NPC will play an important role in the imple- mentation of the strategic layout of “Four Comprehensives.” He went on to cite a keynote speech made by Xi Jinping, “As the supreme organ of State power, the NPC could serve general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, in com- memoration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the NPC last year, saying that the people’s congress system has to push forward the implementation of the ‘Four Comprehen- sives’ by pooling wisdom and strength from the entire society,” he said.
(Xinhua) 12 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA Zhang Dejiang stresses implementation of ‘Four Comprehensives’ Chairman Zhang Dejiang on March 5 called for enhanced efforts to implement the “Four Compre- hensives” strategic layout in order to realize eco- nomic and social development targets.
Speaking with lawmakers from east China’s Zhejiang Province in a panel discussion on a government work report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang, Zhang said the “Four Com- prehensives” offered both theoretical and practical guidance for realizing the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Top legislator stresses CPC leadership, confidence in people’s congresses The “Four Comprehensives” refers to a political concept initiated by President Xi Jinping, which comprises compre- hensively building a moderately prosperous society, deepen- ing reform, advancing the rule of law and strictly governing the Communist Party of China.

Zhang said efforts must be made to give priority to sus- tained social and economic development, while letting the people feel the benefits of the country’s growth.
Meanwhile, the authority of China’s Constitution must be safeguarded and social fairness and justice maintained, he said, adding that political disciplines must also be strictly enforced, so that the Communist Party of China could remain at the core of China’s socialist course with Chinese character- istics.
(Xinhua) Zhang Dejiang(back, R), chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) and a member of the Standing Com- mittee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, joins a panel discussion of deputies to the 12th NPC from east China’s Zhejiang Province, in Beijing, March 5.
Ding Lin ‘Four Comprehensives’ a strategic blueprint for China A moderately prosperous society, reform, rule of law, Party discipline - these “Four Comprehensives” are Xi Jinping’s blueprint for China’s future.

The “Four Comprehensives” are tasks raised at Communist Party of China (CPC) meetings over the last two years, since President Xi Jinping took office.
The concept was first mentioned by Xi in December, “..comprehensively build a moderately prosperous soci- ety, comprehensively deepen reform, comprehensively implement the rule of law, and comprehensively strengthen Party discipline.” Shortly after Xi took helm of the CPC in November 2012, he put forward the concept of “the Chinese Dream,” or “the great renewal of the Chinese nation”.
“A moderately prosperous society” is not only the primary objective identi- fied at the 18th Party Congress, but also “a crucial step towards the Chi- nese Dream of great rejuvenation.” Xi’ first trip as China’s leader was to Shenzhen, symbolic hub of Deng Xiaoping’s reforms, and promised “no stop to reform and opening up”.

“Deepening reform” identifies the route to prosperity and social prog- ress.
The “Four Comprehensives” come as China pays greater attention to improving governance following the economic miracle.

Social justice has become an important goal.

“The rule of law” came to promi- nence at the Fourth Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, and guarantees modernization of the sys- tem of government while championing social justice.
The leadership has taken great pains to address corruption, which they believe may threaten the very survival of the Party and the State: “Strengthening Party discipline” is a must for the CPC to survive.

The “Four Comprehensives” will ensure China continues steadily on its path of development.
(Xinhua) ISSUE 1 · 2015 13 REFORM AND DEVELOPMENT Slower growth target, tougher environmental protection benefit China and the world The picture shows an operating area of the Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Offshore Co., Ltd. in Liaoning Province.

CFP CFP The slower growth target and the increasing em- phasis on environmental protection that feature in China’s annual “two sessions” show that Chinese policy-makers have adopted a more mature view on development, which will eventually benefit the world.
In March 2015, the world has kept a close watch on China’s annual sessions of the National People’s Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

a l” o r m w N e N “ Among many significant decisions, the around 7 percent growth target for 2015 and the toughening of environmen- tal rules should be considered as particularly good news for China and the world as well.
The lower growth expectation set by the Chinese govern- ment is in accordance with the “New Normal” showing that China is transforming into a more advanced economy with reforms taking place in different sectors.

Seeing the limitations of the former development model, which relied heavily on fixed asset investment and exports, China now aspires to steer its economy to a more sustainable track, valuing the quality over the quantity of the economic growth.
Needless to say, a healthy Chinese economy, which stood at over $10 trillion in 2014, is conducive to global economic development, and countries delivering consumer goods and services to China will be benefited.
In addition, the highlighting of environmental protec- tion in the annual political event is a move that further 14 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA Slower growth target, tougher environmental protection benefit China and the world Streamlining administration is government’s self-reform Premier Li Keqiang said on March 15 that he is determined to keep the reform process going despite the acute pain in the process, vowing to reduce more government power lists.
“The pain (of reform) is still there and is becoming more acute.

The government is reforming itself.

Vested interests will be upset.

This is not nail-clipping but taking a knife to one’s own flesh.

We are determined to keep going until the job is done,” he said at a press conference in Beijing.
Li acknowledged that some reform measures have yet to be fully implemented, pledging to step up efforts and cut “all non-government review items.” He rejected concerns about the possible impact of the re- form on China’s economy.

“The reform of streamlining administration and delegating government powers will increase market vitality and allow us to cope with the slowdown,” he said.
A State Council document published measures in Febru- ary to speed up the administrative approval process, list- ing 10 ways to set time limits for the process and improve transparency.

Decisions on approval must be announced within a limited time and may not be prolonged for any reasons, according to the document.

There should be “green passages” to give pri- ority to projects supported by the government.
Last year, the State Council has required all central gov- ernment departments to make public catalogues of their re- maining administrative approval items.

China has been streamlining the procedure and delegating powers in the hope of stimulating the market.

In the past two years, 798 administrative approval items have been canceled or delegated to local governments.
(China Daily) As many as 109 official seals were displayed at a museum in Tianjin on November 15, 2014, after they were locked up to reduce red tape and streamline administrative approval.

CFP 15 proves China is seeking a better and sustainable path for development.

Over the past three decades, prioritizing economic devel- opment over environmental protection was a common prac- tice among Chinese central and local governments.
But now China has decided to forsake the unbalanced pur- suit of economic growth, as policy-makers highlighted envi- ronmental protection as one of the top priorities for China in 2015.

A new environmental law launched in January has tough- ened penalties over pollution and made clear that many public-interest groups have the right to sue liable parties.
The lower growth target and new accentuation of environ- mental protection will create a virtuous cycle, as less fixed asset investment will lead to less pressure on the environ- ment and the toughening of environmental laws will force the backward industries to exit.

Shifting from the extensive way of growth, China now can focus on facilitating innovative industries that impose less pressure upon the natural resources and environment.
And given China’s large reserve of talent, the country’s innovation will eventually boost the world’s economy in a more powerful way.

Moreover, China’s efforts on dealing with pollution will not only improve the country’s own natural environment, but also contribute to the environmental issues across the world, including global warming, the deterioration of ocean water conditions and so on.
(Xinhua) ISSUE 1 · 2015 REFORM AND DEVELOPMENT China sanguine on economy under new normal By Zhu Shaobin The new year sunrise as seen on the sea on January 1 in Rizhao, Shandong Province Zheng Zhicheng world’s second largest economy is sanguine about growth stability and prospective improvements.
Economic growth in China may be slowing but the Moving away from the double-digit growth of the most recent decade, the economy has been facing no- table downward pressure and has entered a stage known as the new normal, characterized by slow, but higher quality growth.

Chinese authorities have faith in the country’s growth potentials.

Braving the new normal The economy posted 7.4 percent growth in 2014, its weak- est since 1990 amid weaknesses in investment, consumption and overcapacity.
The annual growth target was lowered to around 7 percent for 2015.

However, as a developing country, Chinese authorities have faith in the country’s growth potentials.

Premier Li Keqiang said that he was “fully confident” of the economy.

“Our country’s development has enormous potential and is hugely resilient, with ample room for growth,” Li said dur- ing his delivery of a government work report to the annual session of the National People’s Congress (NPC).
Many entrepreneurs are playing down the challenges of the new normal.

Qian Yuebao, chairwoman of Jiangsu Meng- lan Group Co. Ltd., which provides bedding products, is calm about the economic slowdown.

“Cheap labor and intensive use of resources are not sus- tainable.

We knew that many years ago,” said Qian, who is also an NPC deputy.
Refusing to settle on low-end manufacturing, more than 10 years ago the company expanded investment to cover re- search and introduced advanced equipment to establish itself at home and abroad.

16 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA Technological upgrade is the way for- ward for Chinese enterprises trying to find their way amid the new normal.
The business woman said that even in 2008 when the global financial crisis wreaked havoc, exports increased more than 20 percent year on year while many of her competitors suffered.

She said that equipment imported from Germany, Spain and Switzerland slashed labor costs by 80 percent.

The company’s success epitomizes the success of the inno- vation and upgrading drive in Jiangsu Province.

The provin- cial GDP expanded 8.7 percent in 2014, out-pacing national GDP growth.
“Jiangsu Province has topped regional innovation rank- ings for six years in a row due to science and technology ad- vances,” Provincial Governor Li Xueyong said.

High-tech firms in the province accounted for almost 40 percent of industrial output last year, following an influx of talent and skilled workers, he said.

Technological upgrade is the way forward for Chinese en- terprises trying to find their way amid the new normal.

The sooner upgrades happen, the better for business, NPC depu- ties agreed.
President Xi Jinping on March 5 called for a quicker roll- out of free trade zone strategy to spearhead reforms, opening- up, and the innovation drive, saying that innovation was the most important driver of development.

7 PCT growth target achievable Premier Li Keqiang stressed that China must keep a steady growth rate to ensure employment and income continue to increase.

Li hailed mass entrepreneurship, and increased pub- lic goods and services provision as the two new engines of growth.
“For the former, the main role for the government will be to provide a conducive environment and lower entry barriers.

For the latter, the government will not only increase spend- ing but also invite corporate sector participation,” said Wang Tao, chief China economist with UBS.

Zhang Xiaoji, a researcher at the Development Research Center of the State Council, said that a 7 percent growth tar- get would be a challenge given government pressure on pol- lution and emission control.
“However, I think China is likely to realize a growth speed of around 7 percent,” said Zhang.

The “Belt and Road” initiatives as well as China’s free trade arrangements with other countries will also help manu- facturing exports, said Zhang, who is also a member of the National Committee of Chinese People’s Political Consulta- tive Conference (CPPCC), China’s top political advisory body.
Justin Yifu Lin, former chief economist and senior vice president of the World Bank, said that China still had great economic development potential in many industries and could beat the growth target of around 7 percent this year.

Lin’s optimism is fueled by sectors like equipment manu- facturing, e-commerce, Internet finance, new energy and en- vironmental protection, which has growth potential.
Mei Xingbao, also a CPPCC member, predicts that a growth rate of 7 percent is possible thanks to the ongoing reform drive which will continue to unleash momentum, en- courage private capital investment, and lift consumption.
“The government does not want to undershoot the growth target this year given the government work report explicitly mentioned the importance of a stable growth to support new job creation and ensure stable employment condition,” J.P. Morgan China chief economist Zhu Haibin said in a research note.

Zhu said even though the government had reiterated a prudent monetary policy for this year, some flexibility was expected.

“The prudent monetary policy is favorable toward easing,” he said.
Zhu predicted the central bank will cut reserve require- ment ratio (RRR) again in the second quarter.

To offset the slowdown, the central bank has cut the benchmark interest rates twice and dropped the RRR for banks over the past four months.

A tower crane lifts a subway car to be exported to Singapore on Decem- ber 25, 2014 at Yingkou Harbor, Liaoning Province.
Bai Xueqi ISSUE 1 · 2015 17 REFORM AND DEVELOPMENT Pooling strength on ‘Belt and Road’ strategy By Lin Jianyang Scenery of the Tengger Desert in Zhongwei, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Wang Peng The “Belt and Road” initiatives, China’s ambitious trans-Eurasia and across-ocean trade strategy, are among the most extensively referenced topics dur- ing the NPC annual session.
Regardless of difficulties, there are clear signals that China is determined to implement the initiatives, which Chinese officials claimed represents a golden opportunity to forge greater cooperation between countries.

“China’s diplomacy in 2015 will focus on making progress in the ‘Belt and Road’ initiatives,” Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on March 8.
China announced on March 12 that the board of directors and the senior management team have been formed in the country’s $ 40 billion Silk Road Fund, which will start invest- ment soon.

The fund will invest mainly in infrastructure and resourc- es, as well as industrial and financial cooperation, in an effort to achieve common development and prosperity, Jin Qi, chair of the fund, said at a press conference on the sidelines of the session.
Proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013, the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road ini- tiatives aim to improve cooperation with countries in a vast part of Asia, Europe and Africa.

The National People’s Congress (NPC) is a platform for the country to create consensus and pool strength for major tasks.

This year, it hopes to do so for the “Belt and Road” initiatives.
‘Not Marshall Plan’ In a story published at the end of last year, U.S.-based bi- monthly magazine “Foreign Policy” had listed the “Belt and Road” initiatives as the first of “six trends from 2014 likely to burst into international headlines” for China in 2015.

Its premise was correct, but the story became flawed after trying to compare the Chinese strategy to the U.S.-sponsored Marshall Plan.
The Chinese initiatives are not exclusive and not a tool for geopolitics like the Marshall Plan, which led to the start of the cold war.

“China’s ‘Belt and Road’ initiatives are both much older and much younger than the Marshall Plan.

Comparing one to the other is like comparing apples to oranges,” said Wang Yi.

The initiatives are older because they embody the spirit of the ancient Silk Road, which had a history of more than 2,000 years.
The Silk Road was used by people of many countries for friendly exchange and commerce, and the country must re- new the spirit and bring it up to date, Wang said.

The initiatives are younger because they are born in the age of globalization.

“They are the product of inclusive cooperation, not a tool of geopolitics, and must not be viewed with the outdated cold war mentality,” Wang said.
The Silk Road Fund is not an aid agency, said Jin Qi, who expects market-oriented principles in operation and rea- 18 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA the south Chinese province has completed formulating the implementation plan for the “Belt and Road” strategy.

Li said Guangdong has selected a number of significant proj- ects to support the implementation of the strategy.
Included were a 5-million-tonne oil refining project invested by a private company of Guangdong in Myanmar; a power plant project invested by China Southern Power Grid in Vietnam; and a few banana plantations in the Southeast Asian countries.

Li said Guangdong is playing a vital role and in a good po- sition in the construction of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

The transaction between Guangdong and ASEAN has exceeded 100 billion yuan.
A map covering the major countries along the Silk Road Economic Belt has been published in March to push the plan.

According to the Shaanxi Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation, the atlas includes geographic, transportation, culture and economic information covering 16 countries and regions including China, Kazakhstan, Iran and Turkey.

The atlas is the first comprehensive profile of the major countries along the silk road.
“People on the Silk Road are ‘family members’, and the frequent exchanges between them will promote business and trade,” said Chen Zixuan, an NPC deputy from Fujian Prov- ince, another gateway of the road.

The province has established a free trade zone to boost co- operation between nations.

Zhao Yang expects a detailed roadmap of the initiatives.
He says the plan should help mitigate the severe overcapacity problem in upstream industries and boost overseas invest- ment, led by policy financial institutions and large State- owned enterprises (SOEs).

Moreover, it could also promote the internationalization of the Chinese currency Renminbi, Zhao added.

Symphony for all “If I may use a musical metaphor, the initiatives are not China’s solo, but a symphony performed by all relevant coun- tries,” Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.
As a major infrastructure equipment exporter, China has On April 23, 2014, a container freight train leaves Wujiashan Station in Wuhan, Hubei Province, bounding for Europe.

Zhong Xin 19 sonable returns for shareholders, including China’s foreign exchange reserves, the China Investment Corp., the Export- Import Bank of China and the China Development Bank.
The fund will comply with market rules and the interna- tional order of finance, welcoming participation by domestic and overseas investors, such as the China-Africa Develop- ment Fund and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Jin said.

National strategy The “Belt and Road” initiatives are also an important part in the government work report, delivered by Premier Li Keq- iang at the NPC annual session.

Li said China will work with the countries linked by the initiatives to develop them.
“We will move faster to strengthen infrastructure connec- tivity with our neighbors, simplify customs clearance proce- dures and build international logistics gateways,” Li said.

The Government Work Report highlights strategies such as the “Belt and Road” as key in terms of stabilizing growth while the country further opens and improves the economy, said Zhao Yang, chief China economist of Nomura, Japan’s leading financial institution.
As such, the report encourages Chinese firms to actively participate in overseas infrastructure investment and to ex- port machinery equipment.

Li Chunhong, a deputy to the NPC and head of the Guang- dong Provincial Development and Reform Commission, said ISSUE 1 · 2015 9.【链接】 REFORM AND DEVELOPMENT been pooling efforts to provide badly-needed funds to infra- structure construction, a hindrance to growth of many devel- oping countries.
BRICS countries alone have about $ 1 trillion each year in infrastructure needs, according to World Bank’s calculations.

Such funding gaps also exist elsewhere.

Foreign assistance is a tiny piece of it and they have to rely on their own resources.

The “Belt and Road” initiatives are a testament to joint efforts by countries involved to overcome funding shortages and improve infrastructure connectivity.
Greater cooperation between nations could sustain eco- nomic growth through investing in infrastructure and guar- anteeing energy security, said Asanga Abeyagoonasekera, executive director of Sri Lanka’s Lakshman Kadirgamar In- stitute for International Relations and Strategic Studies.

Amin Babar, Consul General of Pakistan in southern Chi- na’s port city Guangzhou, agreed.
The historic initiatives provide an unprecedented oppor- tunity to the global community to share the fruits of China’s economic development, he said.

It is a mark of big thinking by the Chinese leadership to give a share of its hard earned prosperity, particularly to the developing countries of South East Asia, South Asia, Middle East and Africa, in order to achieve a “win-win” prospect.
Abeyagoonasekera said more cooperation under the initia- tives will also be a demonstration of the regions’ willingness to jointly find solutions to non-traditional threats such as cli- mate change, terrorism and piracy which are issues of global significance.
Wang Yi said that China and Russia will sign an agreement to work on the Silk Road Economic Belt, adding that the practical cooperation between China and Russia is based on Opera staff working for Along the Silk Road take a break on the theater stage in London, Britain on January 11, 2014.

The drama depicts a mov- ing story between a Persian merchant, a painter surnamed Zhang and his daughter in Dunhuang, Gansu Province.

The Dunhuang frescoes are gems of ancient Chinese art.
Yin Gang China’s 2015 diplomacy focuses on ‘Belt and Road’ China’s diplomacy in 2015 will focus on making all around progress in the “Belt and Road” initiatives, said Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the side- lines of the national legislature annual session on March 8.

“The keyword for China’s diploma- cy in 2015 will be one focus and two main themes,” Wang said.
Referring the focus to the progress of “Belt and Road” initiatives, Wang said China will further enhance policy communicating with other countries, expand the convergence of the shared interests and explore possible areas of win-win cooperation.

The priorities will be promoting con- nectivity, building overland economic corridors and pillars of maritime coop- eration, he said.

China will also improve cultural and people-to-people exchanges and speed up talks of free trade areas with relevant countries.
“We are confident that ‘Belt and Road’ initiatives will win even more supports and deliver even more early harvests,” he said.

Two main themes will be peace and development, the minister noted.

China will work with the interna- tional community to mark the 70th an- niversary of the end of the World Anti- Fascist War and make itself a strong force for peace by learning the lesson from the past and looking towards the future, he said.
The country will also take an active part in the UN development sum- mit and international cooperation on climate change, he said.

China will play a constructive role in helping to secure a post-2015 develop- ment agenda and new international ar- rangements to address climate change, which are in line with the interests of developing countries, he said.
Summing up China’s diplomatic progress in 2014, Wang said it is worth mentioning that China focused on building a new type of international relations featuring win-win cooperation and has taken a new path of external relations characterized by partnership rather than alliance.

“We have basically established a global network of partnerships,” he said.
“China’s circle of friends and partners has widened and will con- tinue to expand.” China has established different forms of partnership with more than 70 countries and many regional organiza- tions by 2014.

Wang described the year of 2014 as the one of harvest as well as of forging ahead and breaking ground.
China left its own imprint in the history through successfully hosting the meetings of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) and APEC, while taking an active part in settling international hotspot issues, according to Wang.
(Xinhua) 20 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA CFP “Belt and Road” initiatives Europe economy Asian economy Silk Road Fund to start investment soon The board of directors and the senior management team have been formed in China’s $40 billion Silk Road Fund, which will start investment soon, its chair Jin Qi said on March 12.
The fund is not an aid agency, said Jin, who expects market-oriented principles in operation and reasonable returns for shareholders, including China’s foreign ex- change reserves, the China Investment Corp., the Export- Import Bank of China and the China Development Bank.
The fund will comply with market rules and the interna- tional order of finance, welcoming participation by do- mestic and overseas investors, such as the China-Africa Development Fund and the Asian Infrastructure Invest- ment Bank, Jin said.

The fund is a limited liability company, according to a February statement by China’s central bank.
The fund will invest mainly in infrastructure and re- sources, as well as industrial and financial cooperation, in an effort to achieve common development and prosperity, Jin said at a press conference on the sidelines of China’s annual parliamentary session.
The fund is designed to finance the China-proposed “Belt and Road” initiatives, which refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road in a bid to improve cooperation with countries in a vast part of Asia, Europe and Africa.

“The priority (of the Silk Road Fund Co., Ltd.) is to seek investment opportunities and provide monetary ser- vices throughout the ‘Belt and Road’ initiatives,” accord- ing to the February statement.
Along the route of the Silk Road, China and Russia are exploring novel financial cooperation, Zhou Xiaoch- uan, governor of the central bank, said at the same press conference.

China and Russia are huge neighboring economies, with large amount of money in their trade and investment, Zhou said.

(Xinhua) 21 mutual need and has enormous internal impetus and room for expansion.
Zhou Xiaochuan, governor of China’s central bank, said that China and Russia are exploring novel financial coopera- tion along the route of the Silk Road.

Challenges ahead The implementation of the initiatives won’t be an easy task, analysts said, citing terrorism and domestic politics of countries involved in the initiatives.
Violence and terrorism remain in China, with the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in the northwest of the country suffering the most, especially from the Eastern Turkistan Is- lamic Movement (ETIM), a U.N.-listed terror group.

China has set ETIM as a major target when seeking inter- national cooperation against terrorism.

“Violent terror attacks have provoked strong condemna- tion and opposition in the region,” Chairman of the Xinjiang regional government Shohrat Zakir said on March 10.
Xinjiang, located in the center of Asia and a traditional gateway of the Silk Road, has become a key player for China’s exchanges with Europe.

The region has pinned much hope on the “Belt and Road” initiatives.

Despite terror threat, Xinjiang is gearing up its efforts to become a “core area” of the Silk Road Economic Belt.

The region will strive to become a center of communica- tions, trade, culture, finance and medical care along the belt, said Zhang Chunxian, Communist Party of China chief of Xinjiang.
ISSUE 1 · 2015 REFORM AND DEVELOPMENT CFP Free trade zone strategy in speedy implementation China will quicken the pace of implementing the strategy of free trade zones (FTZs) and turn insti- tutional innovation into a strong impetus for the country’s development, President Xi Jinping said on March 5.

To speed up the implementation of FTZ strategy is an im- portant part of a new round of reform and opening-up.
China should aim for high-standard trade and investment rules, and strengthen its capability for allocating financial resources around the world and better serving the country’s economic development, Xi said.

Xi made the remarks while speaking with lawmakers from east China’s Shanghai in a panel discussion on the Govern- ment Work Report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang.
Xi urged Shanghai to continue its leading role in spear- heading the country’s ongoing reform, opening-up and inno- vation drive, in an effort to make greater contributions to the nation’s reform, development and stability.

“Innovation is the most important driving force for devel- opment,” said Xi, adding that China needs to break through the system and mechanism barriers to innovation.
To adapt to the “new normal” of the economy, the key is to shift the growth momentum and aim at getting a bigger boost from science and technology innovation, stressed Xi.

The term “new normal” gained ground in China in May 2014, when Xi, during an inspection tour of central China’s Henan Province, described the need to remain cool-headed as growth slows.

China’s economic growth slowed pace to 7.4 percent in 2014, its weakest annual expansion since 1990.
China should turn innovation achievements into actual productivity at a faster pace, and the foundation of innova- tion is talents, said Xi.

“Whoever has the top-tier innovation talents can occupy the leading position on science and technology innovation,” Xi said.
Being innovative in China’s social governance should be based on people’s fundamental interests, said Xi, adding that China should foster a team of professional community work- ers and encourage more service and management resources to flow to the grass-roots units.

Moreover, comprehensively strictly governing the Com- munist Party of China can guarantee the Party to accomplish many important undertakings with characteristics of the new era, he stressed.
(Xinhua) Plans for free trade zones in China approved Overall plans for three experimen- tal free trade zones (FTZs) in Guang- dong, Tianjin and Fujian, and improve- ments to the Shanghai experimental FTZ were approved on March 24 at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

Experimental FTZs are important for exploring new paths and acquiring new experiences, said a statement released after the meeting.
The statement said the Shanghai FTZ had made “positive progress” over more than a year, generating a model that can be replicated else- where.

The Shanghai FTZ, launched in September 2013, was a testing bed for administration, investment, finance and services reform.

The new zones, as well as the Shanghai FTZ, will continue striving for institutional innovation, according to the statement.
The FTZs are part of a new, more open economic system, exploring new models for regional economic coop- eration, and establishing a law-based climate for business and commerce, the statement said.

Bai Ming, a trade expert with the Ministry of Commerce (MOC), said FTZs can boost exploration of experi- ences, which can be promoted across the country.

While following in the steps of the Shanghai FTZ, the three new FTZs will experiment on their own strengths, said Li Guanghui, a trade expert with the MOC.
For example, the Guangdong FTZ will carry out programs on economic integration with Hong Kong and Ma- cao, the Fujian FTZ will stress unified development with Taiwan, and the Tianjin FTZ will highlight coordinated growth with Beijing and Hebei, Li said.
Li Wenpu, vice president of the Xia- men University school of economics, described the FTZs as a pressure test for reform measures and said the free trade zones will press ahead with re- forms like streamlining administration, delegation of power and improving efficiency of government departments.
(Xinhua) 22 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA Prudent monetary policy still in place Chinese central bank governor Zhou Xiaochuan said on March 12 that China is sticking to the pru- dent monetary policy despite the use of a string of new monetary policy tools.

Zhou made the remarks at a press conference on the side- lines of the national legislature annual session, adding that compared with the large scale of Chinese economy, the scale of those monetary policy tools is not big.
Zhou Xiaochuan, governor of the People’s Bank of China, attends a press conference for the Third Session of the 12th National People’s Congress (NPC) on financial reform in Beijing on March 12.

CFP Jing Wei Fertile soil provided for foreign investment Premier Li Keqiang’s Government Work Report to the na- tional legislature on March 5 has not only revealed the blue- print for China’s development in the year to come, but also showed the government’s willingness to make easier access for foreign investors.
Addressing the opening of the annual session of the Na- tional People’s Congress, Li said that China will provide easier market access for foreign investment by loosening regulation.

With an economic slowdown, the Chinese economy has entered a “new normal” era, but that means neither the econ- omy is in a condition troubled by particular problems, nor the nation’s monetary policy will shift gears, he said.

There will be some “flexibility” of the prudent monetary policy, he said.
China’s gross domestic product expanded 7.4 percent last year, its lowest level of growth since 1990.

The annual economic growth target for 2015 was set at around 7 per- cent.

(Xinhua) To further open up China’s market, Beijing will cut in half the number of fields in service and manufacturing industries, in which foreign investment has been restricted.
The premier promised a “stable, fair, transparent and pre- dictable” business environment, announcing that China will revise the Catalogue for the Guidance of Industries for For- eign Investment to further ensure that domestic and foreign companies be treated as equals.

From the relaxing of regulation to the removal of market barriers, China promises a higher degree of openness and demonstrates its willingness to provide foreign investors with more opportunities in the world’s second-largest economy.
The slowdown is not bad news for foreign investors but opportunities for them to get involved in China’s sustainable and quality economic growth.

The current Chinese leadership has vowed to change the country’s economic structure heavily driven by exports and investment to one driven also by consumption.

Foreign in- vestors, therefore, can benefit from a consumer market with huge potential.
In order to attract foreign investment, Li said that China will advance talks on free trade areas and on investment pacts with the Gulf Cooperation Council members and Israel, and continue negotiations on investment agreements with the United States and the European Union.

According to statistics, in 2014, foreign direct investment in China topped the world with $ 119.6 billion and the num- ber of new foreign-funded companies increased by 5.76 per- cent to hit 38,400.
The high-speed expansion of China’s economy in the past years has allowed foreign investors to reap handsome returns from their investment.

In the year ahead, they will harvest more, for sure.

(Xinhua) ISSUE 1 · 2015 23 REFORM AND DEVELOPMENT CFP Yuan’s full convertibility to advance guang, chief economist at Mizuho Securi- ties.

He predicted the plan will be basically achieved within two years.
The Chinese central bank also said in January it will accelerate financial reforms and opening-up this year, including push- ing forward the yuan’s convertibility under the capital account.

China made new progress in its capital account plan last year with the launch of the Hong Kong-Shanghai Stock Connect scheme and its expansion of investment quotas for both qualified domestic and for- eign institutional investors.
“China will speed up creation of an RMB cross-border payment system and improve the RMB’s global clearing service system,” the premier said in his 2015 Gov- ernment Work Report delivered on March 5 to the annual session of the 12th National People’s Congress.

He said the country will also pilot over- seas investment for individual investors and launch the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect program on a trial basis.
Experts believe the yuan’s full convert- ibility will improve the currency’s global influence.

A January report by the global transac- tion services organization SWIFT showed that the yuan broke into the top five as a world payment currency in November, overtaking the Canadian dollar and the Australian dollar.

Central bank data showed that the yuan has become China’s second most used currency for cross-border payment.
The currency is also rising in popularity as an international transaction and reserve cur- rency, thanks to the country’s active pro- motion of yuan-clearing arrangements and currency swap deals with other countries.

Mei Xingbao, a member of the National Committee of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, said that the yuan’s full convertibility will be the last step in opening China’s financial system.
It requires sufficient supervision of the capital under the capital account and expand its global reach, Premier Li Keqiang has said.

China will realize the yuan’s full convertibility The latest official statement has signalled a clear- er road map for completing the process that authorities have cautiously promoted for more than a decade.
Currently, around 85 percent of the 40 subcategories in the capital account have become partially or fully convertible, according to data from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, while the current account achieved full convert- ibility in 1996.

“Authorities are determined to promote the yuan’s full convertibility under the capital account,” said Shen Jian- market.
The official also warned of possible challenges such as money-laundering and exchange rate fluctuations stemming from speculative capital flows in and out of the country.

J.P. Morgan China Chief Economist Zhu Haibin said Chi- na will continue to press ahead with the yuan’s full convert- ibility under the capital account, but the process will most likely be conducted step by step.

“A key issue to be heeded is unsolved financial risk in Chi- na as it promotes the yuan’s full convertibility.
If the capital account were liberalized suddenly when financial reforms in China remain incomplete, it might cause new systemic risks,” Zhu said.

(Xinhua) 24 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA ‘Internet Plus’ to fuel innovation, development The notion of “Internet Plus” mentioned by Premier Li Keqiang on March 5 has drawn wide attention, as many see it as a sign of the government’s increasing emphasis on the Internet industry.
China will develop the “Internet Plus” action plan to in- tegrate mobile Internet, cloud computing, big data and the Internet of Things with modern manufacturing, to encourage the healthy development of e-commerce, industrial networks, and Internet banking, and to help Internet companies in- crease their international presence.
“From the report, we can see that the promotion of trans- boundary integration of the Internet has become a focus of government work,” said Fang Xingdong, chairman of think tank China Labs.

Internet Plus is the integration of the Internet and tradi- tional industries through online platforms and IT technol- ogy, it is expected to help economic restructuring, improve people’s livelihoods and transform of government functions, according to Wu Hequan, academic of Chinese Academy of Engineering.
CFP Xu Linshen, vice general manager of the Beijing-based Qing-Feng Steamed Dumpling Shop, said: “Efficiency has im- proved since we brought in an e-commerce system that moni- tors sales.

For example, if sales slip for one particular item we are notified and can investigate the reasons behind it.” The Internet is also a driving force for the transformation of traditional manufacturing.
Zheng Jie, a deputy to the Na- tional People’s Congress (NPC) and general manager of Zhe- jiang branch of China Mobile, suggested that more “Made in China” products should use intelligent network and mobile Internet technology.

Internet financing is a rising industry and has promoted restructuring of traditional financing institutions.

Major banks, including China Merchants Bank, China Minsheng Bank, and China Development Bank, have launched online petty loan applications in recent years.
Wu Hequan said Internet Plus not only had economic benefits, but will also improve public services.

“For example, taxi-hailing apps can help save energy and cut emissions.

Online appointment with doctors, telemedi- cine, and video lectures are also more convenient for busy people,” he said.

Pony Ma, NPC deputy and Tencent chairman, proposed that mobile Internet can be used to solve social problems, such as medical treatment, education resources and smog.
According to China Internet Network Information Center, China had 649 million Internet users by the end of 2014, and some 557 million used cell phones to get online.
Li Jiang, a consultant of Beijing Municipal Commission of Economy and Information Technology, said, besides market, the government should also take up the re- sponsibility to promote the Internet penetration and ap- plication, especially in terms of information security, data sharing among different so- cial sectors, and the setting of IT standards.
In the opinion of Fang Xingdong, the Internet is not only reshaping the economy, society and governance, but is also creating new opportu- nities to connect China and the rest of the world.

China has been trans- forming from a follower into a major player in the world’s Internet industry during the past two decades, he ob- served.
“The next decade will be a time for the Chinese Internet to broaden its reach global- ly,” he said, “with the help of Internet, China will pursue its development opportuni- ties with a global vision.” (Xinhua) 25 ISSUE 1 · 2015 DIPLOMACY AND DEFENSE The Third Session of the 12th National People’s Congress holds a press conference at the press center of the “two sessions” on 8 March.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi is invited to answer questions from Chinese and foreign media about China’s foreign policy and external relations.

Yin Gang China eyes bigger global role with Chinese solutions China on March 8 pledged to play a bigger role in international affairs while stressing its commit- ment to peace and justice by advancing win-win cooperation and common development.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi highlighted old Chinese wisdom and modern approaches in the country’s diplomacy at a press conference on the sidelines of the national legislature annual session.

The top Chinese diplomat took an array of questions on subjects ranging from China’s relations with the United States and Russia, to a military parade it will stage to mark the vic- tory in World War II and the situation on the Korean Penin- sula and warring northern Myanmar.
Partnership, not alliance The minister said China’s diplomacy in 2015, with two main themes of peace and development, will focus on making progress in the “Belt and Road” infrastructure initiatives.

China has said on many occasions that the initiatives, proposed by President Xi Jinping to upgrade cooperation be- tween countries in Asia, Europe and Africa, are not exclusive and not a tool of geopolitics like the Marshall Plan.
Wang turned to a musical metaphor, “The initiatives are not a solo for China, but a symphony performed by all the countries involved.” The hallmark of Chinese diplomacy with major countries is win-win cooperation, he said.

It includes upholding an independent foreign policy of peace and equality among all countries, he said, adding that these ideas originate from Chinese traditions and reflect the socialist principle.
He said China is blazing a new diplomatic path of “making partners rather than allies.” China has established formal economic partnerships with more than 70 countries and many regional organizations.

While advocating that the current international order needs to be updated, Wang said his country has “no intention of overturning it or starting all over again,” 70 years after the end of WWII and the founding of the United Nations.
“It is very important to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries which are in the majority of the world,” he said.

The minister promised to work with other countries to increase cooperation in combating cross-border corruption, an extension of the anti-graft declaration adopted during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings last year in Bei- jing.
Microscope, telescope On relations between China and the United States, Wang said the world’s two biggest economies should not “magnify problems through a microscope,” but instead “use a telescope to look ahead to the future.” He said that President Xi’s scheduled visit to the United States in September will inject “new momentum” into one of the world’s most important partnerships.
The minister also noted that Beijing and Washington, as they exert “pioneering efforts” to build a new model of major- country relations, will encounter obstacles along the path, calling for more trust between them.

With Russia under Western sanctions over the Ukraine crisis, Wang said that China’s relations with Russia will not be affected by “international vicissitudes” and are not aimed at any third party.
The two countries, with a comprehensive strategic part- nership of coordination, will prioritize cooperation in areas including railways, finance and oil and gas.

Meanwhile, Wang said China will cooperate more with Africa on industrialization, sanitation and security and peace.

It will also liaise with India to facilitate settlement of the boundary issue.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of China’s victory in the Chinese people’s War of Resistance against Japanese Ag- gression.
Uncertainties overshadow ties between China and Japan, with territorial and historical disputes being far from resolved.

Wang, a former Chinese envoy to Japan, urged Japanese politicians to use their sense of conscience in judging history 70 years after Japan lost the war.
China is planning commemorative events, including a military parade, to mark the 70th anniversary and will invite 26 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA China has been seeking to address global hotspot issues by “putting forward Chinese solutions.” foreign leaders to China for the commemorations.

China welcomes the participation of “anyone who is sin- cere about coming,” Wang said.
“By staging those commemorations, China will expand its convergence with other peace-loving countries and peoples,” said Prof. Gong Fangbin at the National Defense University of the People’s Liberation Army.
Medicine, solutions With its growing presence worldwide and increasingly in- terwoven interests in some regions, China has been seeking to address global hotspot issues by “putting forward Chinese solutions.” “The most striking feature of China’s diplomacy last year was its activeness,” said Zhang Yunling, an international studies specialist who is also a member of the National Com- mittee of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
“It matches China’s role as a major player in the world.” Over the past year, China, which has been following the principle of non interference with internal affairs of other countries, mediated on a host of regional issues, including in Afghanistan, Iran and South Sudan.
“When approaching a hotspot issue, we first need to take the pulse, adopt an objective and impartial attitude, and understand where the issue has come from and establish conceptions based on facts,” said Minister Wang, taking a metaphor from traditional Chinese medicine.

He pledged to follow a multi-pronged approach that seeks a political settlement addressing the concerns of all involved, rather than resorting to the use of force or sanctions.
The minister also urged stability in the conflict-hit north- ern Myanmar and called for calmness and restraint as the situation on the Korean Peninsula entered another delicate period.
Wang said that China would properly handle regional con- flicts and advocate dialogue between cultures, religions and ethnic groups to counter terrorism, which was called by him as a “common scourge to mankind.” The minister defended China’s construction on South China Sea islands and reefs, saying the move is lawful and justified.
(Xinhua) The press conference of Foreign Minister Wang Yi on China’s foreign policy and external relations on March 8 CFP ISSUE 1 · 2015 27 DIPLOMACY AND DEFENSE Chinese soldiers solute to the national flag of China.

Approved by the Central Military Commission, airborne infantries from China and Indone- sia jointly participated an anti-terrorism rehearsal in China on October 27, 2014.
Zhang Donghe Defense budget 2015 lowest growth in 5 years in its national defense budget in 2015, the lowest growth in five years.

China on March 5 announced a 10.1-percent rise According to a budget report released shortly be- fore the National People’s Congress starts its annual session, the government plans to raise defense budget to 886.9 billion yuan (about $ 144.2 billion).
That would make China the second largest military spend- er in the world following the U.S., whose defense budget amounted to $ 600.4 billion in 2013.

Nonetheless, the 10.1-percent rise represented the lowest expansion in China since 2010, when the defense budget was set to grow by 7.5 percent.

The figure has thereon been riding on a multi-year run of double-digit increases, expanding 12.2 percent last year.
The budget report did not explain the rationale behind this year’s abated growth, but a government work report pre- sented by Premier Li Keqiang may offer some clues.

According to Li, China’s national defense development would be coordinated with the country’s economic growth.

The Chinese economy grew 7.4 percent in 2014, register- ing the weakest annual expansion in more than two decades.
The government set this year’s growth target to approximate- ly 7 percent, brewing new concerns that the world’s economic powerhouse is losing steam.

But Li played down such concerns, stressing that China is now in a “new normal” state, where a balance ought to be stricken between growth and structural optimization.
He said China will comprehensively strengthen modern logistics, step up national defense research and development of new- and high-technology weapons and equipment, and develop defense-related science and technology industries.

“Building a solid national defense and strong armed forces is fundamental to safeguarding China’s sovereignty, security, and developmental interests,” the premier said.
“Governments at all levels must always take an active interest in and support the strengthening of our national de- fence and armed forces,” he said.

His words were mirrored by Fu Ying, spokesperson for the NPC session.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference on March 4, Fu said as a big country, China needs an army that can safe- guard its national security and people.

“Lagging behind leaves one vulnerable to attacks.


That is a lesson we have learned from history,” said the diplomat- turned spokeswoman.

More than 35 million Chinese soldiers and civilians were killed or wounded as a result of Japanese aggression during the World War II.

Some experts believe the expenditure is still far from the level it needs to be in the face of increasingly severe security challenges.
Describing the 2015 defense budget increase as “moderate and reasonable,” Chen Zhou, a researcher with the Academy of Military Sciences, said the rise was in line with China’s na- tional defense needs and its commitment to peaceful devel- opment.

“The army is in the key phase of informationization and mechanization as well as deepening reforms.

A moderate, sustained increase in the military budget is thus necessary,” he said.
Although the rise in the defense budget in the past years has surpassed GDP growth, China’s military expenditure in 2014 accounted for less than 1.5 percent of GDP, well below the world’s average of 2.6 percent.

Per capita military spending is even less, representing only about 4.5 percent of the United States, 11 percent of Britain and 20 percent of Japan.

Expenditures also soared as China’s military forces are starting to bear more responsibilities around the world.
The country’s military has joined international peacekeep- ing missions, fought piracy in dangerous waters, offered medical expertise in countries affected by Ebola and swept for mines in countries that are still recovering from past wars, all of which need more financial and material support, Chen said.

Chen said this year’s military spending will be used for military training, updating weapons and equipment and im- proving soldiers’ living conditions.
“We will make sure that every cent of the money is spent to boost the army’s combativeness,” said Chen.

“This will be the ‘new normal’ in China’s army development.” (Xinhua) 28 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA JUDICIAL REFORM Armed police board a train during an anti-terrorism drill in Chongqing on February 11.
Zhang Chunhua China vows harsher punishment for corruption, terrorism Chinese authorities would intensify campaigns against social ills ranging from corruption and ter- rorism to environmental pollution and wrongful convictions, according to work reports of two judi- cial bodies delivered on March 12 at the National People’s Congress annual session.
Targeting high-ranking “tigers” in China’s anti-corruption drive, prosecutors investigated 28 officials at the provincial or ministerial level and higher for corruption last year, a sharp rise from eight in 2013, said Cao Jianming, procurator-gener- al of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP), in his report at the annual session of the National People’s Congress.
The 28 officials included Zhou Yongkang, a former member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Com- munist Party of China Central Committee, and Xu Caihou, for- mer vice chairman of the Central Military Commission.

From 2008 to 2012, a total of 30 officials at the provincial or ministerial rank and higher faced investigation for corrup- tion or other job-related crimes, according to Cao’s report delivered in 2013.
ISSUE 1 · 2015 In campaigns to combat lower level “flies,” prosecutors probed 3,664 cases of graft, bribery and embezzlement of public funds involving more than 1 million yuan ($ 164,000) last year.

A total of 4,040 public servants at county level and above, including 589 at and above city or bureau level, were investigated.

A total of 55,101 people were investigated for duty-related crimes in 41,487 cases, an annual increase of 7.4 percent in the number of people, according to the report.
The work report of the Supreme People’s Court (SPC), delivered by chief justice Zhou Qiang, showed that Chinese courts in 2014 convicted and punished 44,000 criminals in 31,000 cases of embezzlement and bribery, including severe cases such as Liu Tienan, former deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, and Li Daqiu, a for- mer senior political advisor in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
“Corrupt criminals shall be severely punished according to the law no matter how high their positions are and how pow- erful they are,” Zhou Qiang said.

The SPP had the resolution to fight every corruption and punish every corrupt official, focusing on duty-related crimes committed by leading officials in key positions, Cao said.
Judicial authorities would strengthen fight against and prevention of duty-related crimes and commercial bribery in fields including food and drug administration, environ- mental protection, work safety, land sales, exploitation of mining resources and reforms of State-owned enterprises, according to the reports.
In line with lawmakers’ proposal of imposing harsher pun- 29 JUDICIAL REFORM ishment for those giving bribes to staff of State organs to pur- sue illegitimate interests, judicial organs handled more cases of such crimes last year.

A total of 7,827 bribers were prosecuted for criminal of- fenses, up 37.9 percent from the previous year, according to the SPP report, while the SPC report showed 2,394 people were convicted for offering bribes last year, up 12.1 percent from the previous year.
provincial capital Kunming.

“We will resolutely safeguard national security, ethnic unity and social stability,” Zhou said, adding that the courts have meted out harsh punishments to the suspects of the Tian’anmen and Kunming attacks according to the law.

No ‘safe haven’ abroad Authorities also pledged “zero tolerance” to judicial cor- The country is also working with international counter- ruption which had raised public complaints these years.
parts to block “the last route of retreat” for corrupt officials.

Procuratorates investigated and punished 404 staff within their own system last year while 2,108 court officials were punished for violating disciplines and laws, according to the two reports, which vowed to “eradicate black sheep” in the judicial organs.

Counter-terrorism The chief justice noted ever-growing threats from terror- ism and separatism and vowed severe punishments for of- fenders.
According to Zhou, Chinese courts convicted 712 people for instigating secessionist activities or participating in vio- lent terrorist attacks in 2014, representing a year-on-year increase of 13.3 percent.

Overall, courts in China concluded some 1.02 million first trials in criminal cases last year and convicted 1.18 million people.
“We will actively participate in the fight against terrorism and secessionism, severely punish violent terrorist crimes according to the law, and severely punish all types of crimes that gravely endanger the safety of the people,” Zhou said.

Violence and terrorism have been on the rise in China over recent years.

Three people were killed and 39 others injured when a sports utility vehicle plowed into crowds near the Tian’anmen Square in the heart of Beijing on October 28, 2013.
On March 1, 2014, knife-wielding assailants killed 31 people and injured 141 others at a train station in Yunnan’ s Wearing face masks and holding slogans, students from Bozhou Fen- ghua Primary School in Anhui Province call the passers-by to protect environment on March 6.

Liu Qinli Procurator-General Cao said Chinese prosecutors seized 749 fleeing corrupt suspects from both home and abroad last year.
Among them, 49 suspects were captured or were per- suaded to turn themselves in from 17 countries and regions including the United States and Canada, Cao said.

“We will actively advance efforts to have fugitive suspects repatriated and recover their illegal proceeds of corruption,” the top prosecutor said.

“The corrupt shall never be allowed to get away with the law.” This has followed the success of a Fox Hunt 2014 operation launched in July to bring back crooked officials still at large.
According to Cao, the SPP would explore ways to confis- cate illegal gains of corrupt officials so that they could “never profit economically from their illegitimate deeds.” Reflecting on wrongful convictions The chief justice expressed self-reproach for wrongful con- victions and urged fellow judges to draw lessons from them.
In 2014, courts nationwide reheard 1,317 cases and cor- rected a number of wrongful ones, including a high-profile rape-murder case in 1996, in which an 18-year-old man named Huugjilt was wrongfully convicted, Zhou said.

Cao Jianming also stressed in his report that preventing wrongful convictions was a bottom line that prosecutors must always hold.

Prosecutors should work to stop a case “tainted” by un- clear facts, lack of evidence or unlawful procedure, from go- ing to the court, Cao said.
They were asked to pay special attention to murder cases and others that are mainly established on confession and wit- ness statement.

Tougher on polluters China’s judicial departments played more harshly against polluters in 2014.

The number of pollution-related criminal cases increased by 8.5 times in 2014, according to the work report of the SPC.

Civil cases about damage of pollution increased by 51 per- cent year on year.
About 25,800 people were charged with crimes such as damaging the environment, illegal logging and illegal farming on grassland in 2014, up 23 percent over the previous year.

Cao said the SPP would engage prosecutors more in envi- ronment litigation for public interest this year.

Experts believe the participation of prosecutors in envi- ronment litigation for public interest was not only a deter- rence to polluters but also a judicial supervision on abuse of power or malfeasance.
(Xinhua) 30 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA Self-reproach is the right attitude to advance judicial reform Back in October 2014, following the release of a blueprint for rule of law set by the Fourth Plenary Session of the 18th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, President Xi Jinping warned of serious system- atic problems in the judiciary and pledged to remove injustice.
Problems identified included the manipulation of cases in exchange for personal gain and intervention by outside parties.

The system can only be fixed by tracing the problems back to their roots.

Therefore, a well-designed system is needed to ensure the au- thority of law and independence.

Judicial transparency is one solu- tion.

In addition to official supervi- sion, the judicial system must be open to public scrutiny.
Admitting mistakes is much better than hiding your head in the sand when it comes to reform and development.

Thus, when a top judge and top pros- ecutor voiced remorse for judiciary over- sight, they were lauded for displaying the attitude necessary to truly reform the judiciary.

In his report made to the annual session of the National People’s Con- gress (NPC) on March 12, Chief Justice Zhou Qiang expressed self-reproach for wrongful convictions during his tenure.
Procurator-General Cao Jianming also called for self-reflection on wrong- ful convictions in his report.

Mistakes made by the judiciary have serious implications.

For those involved, it costs them their reputation, freedom and even life, while it causes society to ques- tion the judicial system and the rule of law.

The comprehensive implementation of rule of law is impossible without a cred- ible judicial system and strict discipline.
“The Sword of Damocles”: Reports submit- ted by the Supreme People’s Court and the Su- preme People’s Procuratorate during the “two sessions” this year note that lessons should be drawn from wrongful convictions and perver- sions of justice in the past.

Participants of the “two sessions” pointed out that rough justice leads to wrongful convictions.

Xu Jun Following the correction of wrongful convictions, more ef- fort should be made to avoid history repeating itself.
Questions must be answered: Why have judicial organs failed to ensure justice?

Was it because of intervention or in- competence?

Both of the work reports of the SPC and SPP designated nearly half of their length to the explanation of legal terms and the profiling of important cases to ensure lawmakers had a better understanding of the content of the reports.
Judicial reform is an ongoing process, that will take time, however, the remorse shown by the top judge and prosecutor is a significant step in the right direction.

(Xinhua) Achievements made in building transparent judicial system A white paper released on March 10 detailed how Chinese courts have been bettering judicial transparency since late 2013.

A big step forward has been made in building a transparent judicial system.
The Fourth Plenary Session of the 18th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee set a new blueprint for the rule of law in the country, lead- ing to increased efforts to open judicial transparency.

More than 6 million judgements, verdicts and reconciliation statements have been put online since January 1, 2014, He Xiaorong, office director of the Supreme People’s Court (SPC) judicial reform leadership group told a press conference on the white paper.
He said a website with such a large quantity of published judgements is worldwide rarity.

Litigant demands, collected evi- dence and how judges arrived at their conclusions are now available for public scrutiny.

The judges will be more cau- tious when exercising discretion and less space will be left for interventions.

Along with the disclosure of results, the judicial process itself is now more open to the public.
Live updates on social media by Ji- nan Intermediate People’s Court during the trial of Bo Xilai, former secretary of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Commit- tee and a former member of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau in August 2013, were hailed by experts and the public as a substantial move to enhance judicial transparency.

The official website for Chinese courts started live broadcasting court trials in December 2013.
By the end of 2014, 519 court trials had been live broadcast with another 80,000 trials broadcast live by people’s courts at various levels.

Not only are the legal rights of peo- ple involved in lawsuits better protected with supervision from society, but it also increases the credibility of the judicial system.

Meanwhile, by directly following court trials, the public has gained faith in the judicial system, understood it better and will be more likely to use it to solve problems.
(Xinhua) ISSUE 1 · 2015 31 LEGISLATION LAW Legislation Law revised to pave way for legal reform August, 2014 After first deliberation by the Standing Commit- tee of the National People’s Congress, the draft amendment to the Legislation Law was publicized to solicit public opinions.

December, 2014 After second deliberation by the Standing Com- mittee of the National People’s Congress, the draft amendment to the Legislation Law was publicized to solicit public opinions.
January, 2015 Deputies to the National People’s Congress make suggestions on the draft amendment to the Legislation Law before the NPC Law Committee conduct further revision.

March, 2015 About 3,000 NPC deputies examine and adopt the draft amendment to the Legislation Law during the 3rd Session of the 12th NPC.
No more random pur- chase quota policies (on housing, vehicles, etc) Relations with the ordinary people Taxation to be regulated Rampant red-head documents to be restrained CFP 32 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA the Legislation Law on March 15, 2015, as the country is unfurling an ambitious legal reform.
China’s national legislators adopted a revision to About 3,000 deputies to the National People’s Congress (NPC) overwhelmingly voted for the bill at the clos- ing meeting of the NPC’s annual session, with 2,761 in favor, 81 against and 33 abstentions.

The draft revision was tabled for the third reading at the NPC annual session after two readings last year, a rare ar- rangement that underlined its significance.

Most bills are read and put for a vote by the NPC Standing Committee.
The Legislation Law, enacted in 2000 and considered a foundation of China’s legal system, regulates how national laws, government regulations and local laws come into shape and which organizations hold the legislative power in the country.

Guo Linmao, a member of the Legislative Affairs Commis- sion of the NPC Standing Committee, said that the resolve of the country’s leadership to advance the rule of law has led to a strong demand and heavy pressure on the legislature and its work.
“The country will need good laws and pragmatic laws, if it wants to advance the rule of law,” Guo said.

Meanwhile, as new reforms are taking place in various as- pects, the legislature is in urgent need of updating legislation according to the actual conditions and making sure that all reforms are legitimate.

“We have to acknowledge that the current legislative pro- cedure has loopholes and weaknesses.

For instance, we are unable to completely fend off bias and interference,” he said.
“We expect the revision to help solve these issues.” Delegating legislative power The law expands legislative power from 49 cities in China to 288 nationwide, empowering people’s congresses at cor- responding level to make local laws.

Zheng Xuejun, an NPC deputy from east China’s Zhejiang Province and a newspaper editor in Wenzhou city, is very ex- cited that her city finally has been authorized with legislative power.
Known for its vigorous private businesses and strong en- trepreneurship tradition, Wenzhou is often on the frontline of trying bold economic reform policies.

“With the legislative power, our city can turn some of its pilot policies into more permanent arrangements and ad- dress new problems that other cities may not have,” she said.
Liang Ying, with the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee, said that the provision indicates a changing perspective toward the national and local governance.

“It is not a simple change of a statute.

It shows that the central authority is delegating its power in exchange of local wisdom and vitality, in face of major economic restructuring and social reform,” he said.
For a country ruled for more than 2,000 years by a power- ful central authority, where even a low-level county head had once been directly appointed by the emperor at the faraway capital, the change is significant.
To prevent abuse of this power, the revised law only allows the cities to issue local laws about “rural and urban develop- NPC deputies are ready to vote on the draft amendment to the Legisla- tion Law on March 15, when the Third Session of the 12th NPC concluded at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Pang Xinglei Kan Ke (C), Zheng Shuna (3rd R), Yuan Jie (3rd L), Wang Aili (2nd R), Wu Zeng (2nd L), officials of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee give a press conference about the draft revision to the Legislation Law in Beijing on March 9.
Li Xin ment and management, environmental protection, and pres- ervation of historical heritage and cultural values.” It also regulates that the power should be granted step by step and the provincial legislature will decide which city is suitable.

Full statutory taxation Another provision to affect every citizen’s life is statutory taxation.
ISSUE 1 · 2015 33 LEGISLATION LAW D e l e g a t i n g l e g i s l a t i v e p o w e r R e vis e d L e gislatio n L a w Meitang Cartoons may present the feedback and publish the result.

NPC deputies insisted that the principle of a transparent legislative procedure should be writ- ten in the law and the time span, when a draft law is published to solicit opinion, should be extended from 20 days to 30.
‘Five lines of defense’ However, the revised law stirred a mixed feel- ing of excitement and worry among other lawmak- ers.

South China’s Guangdong Province, also a test ground for reform attempts, is likely to see 17 more city legislatures empowered to make local laws.

“It can be a very good thing.

It can be messy,” said Wu Qing, an NPC deputy and veteran lawyer, at a panel discussion about the bill at the national legislative session.
Citing Dongguan City in the province known for its booming export industry, Wu said local legisla- tive power might help the city to take a full advan- tage of a ministry-supervised pilot project on soil pollution treatment.

The revised law underlines the principle of statutory taxa- tion by singling it out in a provision, and makes it clear that a tax can only be levied and tax rate be set with the endorse- ment of the law.
The draft submitted for the reading had not regulated tax rate but it was written in the final version because of a strong push from NPC deputies.

Of China’s 18 existing taxes, only three – individual in- come tax, corporate income tax, and vehicle and vessel tax – are levied through legislation, while the others are imposed through formal or provisional regulations issued by the State Council.
Such an arrangement was made because the NPC Stand- ing Committee had authorized the State Council to levy taxes about business activities in 1985, several years after the coun- try embarked on its sweeping reform and opening-up drive.

As things changed, both the legislature and public have realized the pressing need to install the complete statutory taxation.
The deadline has been set for the year 2020, according to Fu Ying, spokeswoman for the Third Session of the 12th NPC, at a press conference on March 4.

Check on administrative power Progress has been made in the revised law to rein in ad- ministrative power.

One provision bans ministries and local governments from issuing rules and policies that mitigate citizens’ rights or in- crease their obligations without legal foundation.
A few provisions are about enhancing the top legislature’s power of examining whether all government regulatory docu- ments are in line with the Constitution and law.

It clarifies that the NPC departments may review govern- ment regulations and local laws without being requested.
If a citizen or organization requests the review, the top legislature “If the city legislature can turn successful policies in the pilot project to a local law, the policies will become more permanent arrangements and benefit the city that has suf- fered serious soil pollution.

Otherwise, it might take a very long time for a local pilot project to be incorporated into a national law,” she said.

However, she also worried that not all cities are prepared for the new power.
“If the provincial legislature is to review city laws, provin- cial lawmakers would be pretty busy and should start prepar- ing themselves,” she said.

Zhang Guifang, a deputy and senior lawmaker from Guangzhou city legislature, also noted that city laws may cov- er a wide range of topics and it is hard to draw a line between what is within their power and what is not.
Responding to the concerns, Zheng Shuna, vice-chairper- son of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Stand- ing Committee says there are “five lines of defense” against possible abuse.
The revised law only allows the cities to issue local laws about “rural and urban development and management, envi- ronmental protection, and preservation of historical heritage and cultural values.” It also regulates that the power should be granted step by step and the provincial legislature will decide which city is suitable.

City laws, which should not contradict with national, pro- vincial laws and central government regulations, must be ap- proved by the provincial legislature.
As the last resort, the NPC Standing Committee will exam- ine their legitimacy and correct improper ones.

“Without a properly-written Legislation Law, there is thin chance to make good laws.

Without good laws, where should we start to realize the rule of law?” said Prof. Ying Songnian with China University of Political Science and Law.

(Xinhua) 34 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA Good law indispensable to ‘Four Comprehensives’ any country.

For today’s China, it is particularly pivotal.


Good legislation is a pillar for good governance in Whether the country is able to make good laws and make sure their implementation will greatly affect the drive to realize the strategic layout of “Four Comprehensives” put forward by the country’s central leadership.
Listed as one of the four priorities, the drive to advance the rule of law has accelerated since the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee adopted a comprehensive legal reform plan in last October.

Only if the country has a properly designed legislative pro- cess that incorporate interests of all citizens and minimize in- ISSUE 1 · 2015 CFP fluence from vested interest, can it make a solid step towards the rule of law.
Also, without the legislature effectively checking on legiti- macy of government regulations and policies, which is a key content in the Legislation Law, the country will miss an ef- fective tool to keep the administrative power in line with the law.

But the significance of the legislation goes beyond the legal system.

The role that the legislation plays in the country’s politi- cal life has notably changed.
Decades ago, a reform would start without the law’s endorsement since the country’s legal system was hardly in place.

A new law would be drafted or an 35 LEGISLATION LAW existing one be revised based on successful results of govern- ment policies.
Now, as the country has more than 240 laws, about 700 government regulations and around 8,600 local laws, any ad- ministrative action needs to be endorsed by the law, even the latest and most urgent reform policies, as the overall reform blueprint adopted in November 2013 stressed.

Legislators are under a new pressure that their work should be a step ahead, showing the direction and guiding the practice.

Such a change requires them to streamline the legislative process.
Most of reform areas now are about taking down old bar- riers, breaking up vested interests and rearranging stakes.

Sometimes, a policy is not powerful enough and legislation is needed.

In fact the lawmaking process is a natural and more ef- ficient platform for different interest groups to be negotiated and consensus to be built.

Many believe this round of reform will not achieve essential progress if it steers clear of legisla- tion.
Good legislation is also a strong support to the strict disci- pline of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), another priority in the “Four Comprehensives” strategy.

The CPC is seeking to “lock up the power in the cage of system”, which includes the legal system.

Systematic political design to deter corruption will be incomplete and weak with- out legislation.
As the CPC decided in its legal reform plan that it should govern the country in line with the law, naturally its key strategy will need the endorsement and support of the law to be fully and effectively implemented.

The revised Legislation Law is an important piece of the grand plan.

(Xinhua) China’s Legislative System China is a unified multiethnic coun- try with a unitary political system.
To ensure that the legal system remains unified yet at the same time adapts to the uneven economic, political and cul- tural development or different areas, China practices a unified, multilevel legislative system.

The NPC and its Standing Commit- tee exercise the State power to make laws.

The NPC enacts and amends basic laws pertaining to criminal of- fences, civil affairs, State organs and other matters.
The Standing Commit- tee enacts and amends all laws except for basic laws that should be enacted by the NPC.

When the NPC is not in session, its Standing Committee may partially supplement and revise laws enacted by the NPC, provided that the changes do not contravene the laws’ basic principles.

The State Council formulates administrative regulations in accor- dance with the Constitution and other laws and reports them to the NPC for records.
In line with the specific conditions and actual needs of their administra- tive regions and on condition that they do not violate the Constitution or other State laws and administrative regulations, the people’s congresses of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government, as well as their standing committees, may work out local statutes and report them to the NPC Standing Committee and the State Council for record.
In light of their specific conditions and actual needs and on condition that they do not conflict with the Constitution, other laws and administrative regulations or local statutes passed by their provinc- es or autonomous regions, the peo- ple’s congresses and their standing committees of larger cities may enact local statutes and submit them to the standing committees of the people’s congresses of their provinces or au- tonomous regions for approval before they take effect.
In addition, these standing committees shall record the local statutes with the NPC Standing Committee and the State Council.

The people’s congresses of nation- al autonomous areas have the power to formulate regulations concerning autonomy and local needs in light of their own local political, economic and cultural conditions.

These regulations of autonomous regions take effect after they are approved by the NPC Standing Committee.
Such regulations made by autonomous prefectures or counties take effect after they are approved by the standing commit- tees of the people’s congresses of the provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government; in addition, these standing committees shall record the regulations with the NPC Standing Committee and the State Council.

In China’s multilevel legislative system, laws promulgated at different levels do not have the same effect.
The Constitution has the highest legal validity, and no other laws, admin- istrative regulations, local statutes, regulations concerning autonomy and local needs, or other regulations may violate the Constitution.

State laws have greater force than administrative regulations, local statutes and regula- tions.

State administrative regulations have greater force than local statutes and regulations.

The NPC has the power to alter or annul any inappropriate laws enacted by its Standing Committee.
The NPC Standing Committee has the power to annul administrative regulations that go against the Constitution or laws con- cerned and revoke local statutes that contravene the Constitution, other laws or administrative regulations.
(NPC) 36 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA CLOSE-UP President Xi Jinping (front R), also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, greets female deputies for the International Women’s Day at a panel discussion with deputies to the 12th National People’s Congress (NPC) from south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region during the Third Session of the 12th NPC, in Beijing, March 8.
Lan Hongguang Why do Chinese leaders join discussions with legislators, political advisors Senior Chinese leaders have participated in dozens of panel discussions with the country’s legislators and political advisors in the period of the “two ses- sions” in 2015, demonstrating “democracy with Chinese characteristics” at the country’s most important annual political event.

Panel discussions offer an opportunity for senior leaders to listen to opinions of legislators and political advisors.
Seven members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Com- mittee, including General Secretary Xi Jinping, have joined more than 30 delegations and sectors in discussions since the start of the “two sessions”.

Panel discussions during the sessions offer an opportunity for senior leaders to listen to opinions of legislators and po- litical advisors and express their own thoughts in a face-to- face manner.
While speaking with lawmakers from eastern Jiangxi Province on March 6, President Xi asked the people to pro- tect the environment as if they were “caring for one’s own eyes and life”.

“We are going to punish, with an iron hand, any violators who destroy ecology or environment, with no exceptions,” he said.

When joining other panel discussions, Xi touched on is- sues such as cross-Strait ties, free trade zone strategy, pov- erty alleviation and revival of an old industrial base.
The leaders’ participation in the discussions, as legislators themselves, are a characteristic of the Chinese-style democ- racy, scholars said.
That arrangement is viable in China because the country ISSUE 1 · 2015 37 CLOSE-UP Premier Li Keqiang (back, C), also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Commit- tee, joins a discussion with deputies to the 12th National People’s Con- gress (NPC) from southwest China’s Sichuan Province during the Third Session of the 12th NPC, in Beijing, March 8.
Gao Jie Zhang Dejiang (back, C), chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) and a member of the Standing Com- mittee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, joins a panel discussion with deputies from north- east China’s Liaoning Province during the Third Session of the 12th NPC, in Beijing, March 8.

Ju Peng Annual economic goals and other major issues of national interests are discussed during plenary sessions of NPC and CPPCC.
implements the people’s congress system and a system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the CPC leadership, quite different from the Western-style system of multiple parties holding office in rotation or sepa- ration of powers, said Li Yuanqi, a scholar in law at Renmin University of China.
Annual economic goals and other major issues of national interests are discussed during plenary sessions of the Nation- al People’s Congress (NPC), and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CP- PCC), China’s top political advisory body.

The sessions of this year kicked off in the first week of March.

NPC deputies must keep in close touch with their voters, electoral units and the masses in order to voice their opinions and demands, according to Chinese laws.
Many leaders were elected as NPC deputies in regions where they once served in office.

For example, Xi, who once was secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, is now a deputy in the Shanghai delegation.
Party and State leaders discussing significant issues of national and public interests with NPC deputies and CPPCC National Committee members show the seriousness of proce- dures in the country’s political decision-making process, mak- ing it a good example of democracy with Chinese character- istics, said Yang Yongchun, deputy chief of the China Against Corruption Law Association, an academic group in law.
The leaders’ discussions with legislators and political ad- visors during the sessions are part of China’ s socialist con- sultative democracy, a democratic pattern in which, led by the CPC, all sections of society are consulted on major issues before and during policy-making processes.
Consultative democracy needs to be strengthened and used to expand people’s participation in politics, help mod- ernize State governance and resolve conflicts, according to a document published by the CPC Central Committee in Febru- ary 2015.
As a highlight of the leaders’ participation in panel discus- sions, lawmakers and political advisors can raise suggestions on behalf of the grassroots in a candid way, thus expanding the communication channel for different demands to reach the leadership, said Zhan Zhongle, a professor in law at Pe- king University.
Moreover, such an arrangement makes “people see that the Party leaders value their contact with the masses and make efforts to practice socialist democracy”, helping foster solidarity and promote consultations in the country’s political life, Yang said.

He observed increasingly extensive political participation at the “two sessions”, which he said enhances social trust and improves the efficiency of democracy to keep the country on track to realize its development goals.
Gaesang Zhoigar, a political advisor from the remote Mo- tuo County in southeastern Tibet and a Lhoba ethnic, still remembers how President Xi joined a panel discussion with her and other political advisors of the ethnic minority sector during last year’s “two sessions”.

Gaesang Zhoigar had never met senior Party leaders be- fore and was cheered up by Xi’ s remarks that all sorts of methods should be tried to accelerate economic and social development of the ethnic regions.
“After the ‘two sessions’, I passed the message to my peo- ple back home: we must achieve faster development, as even the general secretary said so!” she said.
(Xinhua) 38 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA Find a balance on people’s representation In t h e s a m e r o o m t h a t Pony Ma, chief executive of Tencent Holdings, pro- poses wider application of mobile Internet technology, Xue Haiying, a sanitation work- er from Tianjin Municipality, is pushing for better housing and medicare for her colleagues.
Ma and Xue joined more than 2,900 other deputies at the Na- tional People’s Congress annual session at the Great Hall of the People to deliberate on the Gov- ernment Work Report.

They are expected to vote on its adoption.


If, as the New York Times lamented in a recent report, bil- lionaires like Ma “ensure the rich are represented in China’s l e g i s l a t u r e ” , d e p u t i e s l i k e Xue, who earns around $200 a month cleaning the streets, ensure laborers “access to the highest echelons of the Party and the government”.

The Third Session of China’s 12th National People’s Congress (NPC) opens at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 5.
Chen Jianli China’s legislature is not without room to improve its composition, but it has been making big strides in recent years.

Farmers and factory work- ers made up 13.42 percent of deputies to the 12th NPC, a 5.18-percent rise from the 11th NPC.

In 2010, China amended its Electoral Law to ensure both rural and urban areas adopt the same ratio of deputies, end- ing a practice where each rural deputy represented a popula- tion four times that of an urban deputy.
Just as eradicating the urban-rural gap in NPC repre- sentation, China has committed to narrow the obvious gap between rich and poor by increasing minimum wages, pro- moting medical insurance and providing affordable housing - priorities that would greatly benefit people like Xue.

It is important to remember there is a process for im- provement, especially for a country with 1.37 billion people.
Good entrepreneurs, who would be called job creators by some, should not be excluded from the process just because of the profits they reap.

Xue is an equally commendable representative of China’s honest, industrious laborers as Ma, the founder of the world’s second largest Internet company, whose business revolution- ized the way Chinese people interact with one another.

China’s legislature is not without room to improve its composition, but it has been making big strides in recent years.
forward requires a difficult balance, the same can be said about balancing representation at the National People’s Congress.

Air quality improvement, a hugely popular issue for this NPC session, is a prime example.

To address the smog engulf- ing Beijing and other major cities, heavy industries have to be shut down in places like Hebei Province, where residents would lose jobs that are unlikely be replaced by a new indus- try for a long time.
Therefore it’s very important – and delicate – for China to reconcile everything, from environmental protection to industrial development, from Ma’s mobile Internet to Xue’s social security.

Just as every other challenge posed to China in its path It is the real challenge.
(Xinhua) ISSUE 1 · 2015 39 CLOSE-UP NPC’s first spokeswoman shares her experience By Wang Zhenghua Fu Ying, spokesperson for the Third Session of China’s 12th National People’s Congress (NPC), gestures to journalists after the press conference on the session at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 4.

CFP The first spokeswoman in the history of China’s top legislative body said all questions will be answered and her job was to accurately convey the message of the congress.
Fu Ying, who has been named as the spokesperson for the annual NPC session for the third time, shared how she prepares for the NPC news conferences and her experiences working as a spokeswoman in an interview.

Fu, 62, answered a total of 15 questions at the opening press conference for the Third Session of the 12th NPC, im- pressing the public with her intellectual demeanor and el- egance.
“We need to learn the hot topics that drew society and the media’s attention before each year’s NPC press conference,” she was quoted as saying in a report.

“On top of that we collected the materials and got ready for all kinds of questions.” “What really takes time is to translate the statements into everyday language.

You have to be clear and express the mes- sage in the most effective way,” she said.
When answering a question about recent frictions between some mainland tourists and Hong Kong residents at this press conference, for example, Fu said the two sides, which she described as “brothers”, should practice mutual respect and “think more of each other’s good”.

“We tried to cover all the sections when preparing,” she said.
“On principle, all the questions that people are con- cerned with should be answered.” She called the NPC press conference a “very serious” plat- form, and the aim is to deliver the correct message instead of giving credence to rumors.

Working in the foreign affairs section for decades, Fu was promoted in 2010 to vice-foreign minister, in charge of Asian, border and oceanic affairs, including China’s territorial dis- putes with Japan.
In 2013, Fu was elected deputy to the National People’s Congress, member of the NPC Standing Committee, chairper- son of the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee.

And she moved to a brand new stage in her life when she was named the NPC’s spokeswoman.

“It’s hard to take a new role at my age,” she said.
“All my knowledge and experience was related to foreign affairs, but my job now covers many sectors of internal affairs.” She said she read quite a number of thick books and tried to adapt to the role by taking part in the NPC discussions about lawmaking issues.

She also said the questions by the Chinese media always hit the point and the trick to replying to foreign media is to tread a very fine line.
(China Daily) 40 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA A law on domestic violence called for Chinese female lawmakers c a l l e d f o r m o r e h e l p f o r women to defend themselves against domestic violence on March 7.

China needs to introduce a law cov- ering domestic violence as quickly as possible, so as to protect more women from abuse at home, said Fu Lijuan, a deputy to the National People’s Con- gress (NPC) who is from the Hunan provincial justice department.
Domestic violence nese people begun to examine the issue.

Fu Ying, spokesperson of the NPC said on March 4 that China’s first bill against domestic violence is likely to be put for the first reading in August.

Discrimination against women is still common in news reports and movies, She said, in response to a reporter’s question on how women were portrayed in the Spring Festival gala, the annual Chinese TV institution.
“We hope society will show more care for women, respect women and foster a favorable environment for wom- en’s development,” she added.

Fu made the remarks at a press conference on “gender equality and women’s development” held on the sidelines of the annual parliamentary session, which was also attended by four female deputies from local governments, a company and a public welfare foundation.
CFP Domestic violence has long remained in the shadows in China, where the culture holds that family conflicts are em- barrassing private matters.

Only in recent years have the Chi- The deputies called for more support for women in job-hunting and starting businesses.

NPC deputy Wei Xuanjun urged women to use the law to defend themselves when facing discrimination in employ- ment, while Dong Mingzhu, a well-known entrepreneur, said women should not be afraid of flaunting their ability at work.
(Xinhua) 522 motions submitted at annual parliamentary session Chinese lawmakers have filed about 522 motions to the secretariat of the Third Session of the 12th National People’s Congress (NPC), an official said on March 10.

According to Guo Zhenhua, an official with the secretariat of the session, the number is about 13 percent more than that of last session and 511 of them concerned legislation in various areas ranging from election procedure, court system, business to environmental protection.
Since NPC deputies first raised motions at the annual session in 1983, the number had increased sharply from 61 in that year to 1,374 in 2004.

It has remained around 500 since 2005.

(Xinhua) Staff members arrange the original copies of motions in Beijing on March 10.

Among the 522 motions, 511 are about legislation and 8 are related to supervision.

In addi- tion, 74.9 percent of the motions are accomplished by investigation, inspection, visit, discussion and etc.
Li Xiang ISSUE 1 · 2015 41 Above left: NPC deputy Cai Jiming suggests the National Development and Reform Commission to add regulations on paid holidays into its re- port on national economic and social development plan on March 7.

Above right: NPC deputy Cai Jiming receives an express mail from the National Development and Reform Commission on March 10.
Middle: In the letter written to Cai Jiming, the National Development and Reform Commission notes that it has revised its work report to include suggestions on paid vocations under the proposal of Cai.

Yue Yuewei NPC deputy Li Yuhuan (R) collects signatures from other deputies when attending the meeting of Liaoning provincial delegation on March 5.

It is the right and duty of NPC deputies to put forward proposals during the “two sessions”.
Yang Qing PICTURE NPC deputy Kong Lingzhi (L) speaks about his proposal concerning the “Belt and Road” initiatives during the “two sessions” in 2015.

Huang Jingwen 42 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA Deputies to China’s 12th National People’s Con- gre ss (N PC ) leav e the Great Hall of the People after the closing meeting of the Third Session of the 12th NPC in Beijing on March 15.
Wang Jianhua NPC deputy Xie Hong from Shanxi Province proposes that the na- tion should speed up its health care reform and wean hospitals from dependence on drug sales.

Huang Jingwen Song Guoquan, a deputy to China’s 12th National People’s Congress (NPC) from Anhui Province, speaks about his proposal to strengthen ecological civiliza- tion construction.
Xie Huanchi Ng Chau-pei (2nd L), a deputy to China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) from south China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, who is also chairman of Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, speaks during a discussion of the Third Session of the 12th NPC in Beijing on March 7.
Li Xiang ISSUE 1 · 2015 43 Deputies to China’s 12th National People’s Congress (NPC) from southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region take part in a panel discussion during the Third Session of the 12th NPC in Beijing on March 9.

CFP PICTURE The Hunan delegation opens its plenary meeting to the press on March 5.

Chen Jianli The third plenary meeting of the Third Session of the 12th National People’s Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People on March 12.
Chen Jianli 44 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA Deputies to China’s 12th National People’s Congress (NPC) from north- west China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autono- mous Region take part in a panel dis- cussion in Beijing on March 10.

CFP The Liaoning delegation holds a plenary session on March 5, attracting a lot of journalists.

Yang Qing D e p u t i e s t o C h i n a ’s 1 2 t h National People’s Congress (NPC) from north China’s Hebei Province take part in a panel discussion in Beijing on March 9.
Wang Jianhua Deputies to China’s 12th National People’s Congress (NPC) from north- west China’s Ningxia Hui Autono- mous Region take part in a panel discussion on the Government Work Report in Beijing on March 6.
Li Ran ISSUE 1 · 2015 45 PICTURE The combination photo shows (L-R) Liu Zhenwei, Yin Zhongqing, Liu Binjie, Wang Shengming, Yuan Si, five senior members from the special committees of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC), giving a press conference for the Third Session of the 12th NPC in Beijing on March 10.
Fu Tian Xie Heping (3rd R), Shen Jian (2nd R), Luo Weiqi (3rd L), Li Jianbao (R), Zheng Qiang (2nd L), five deputies to the 12th National People’s Congress (NPC), give a press conference about China’s higher education dur- ing the Third Session of the 12th NPC in Beijing on March 13.

Shen Bohan Journalists interview a deputy to China’s 12th National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 7.
Li Xiang A journalist mounts a GoPro on top of his monopod to take photos during a press conference given by Chinese Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng for the Third Session of China’s 12th National People’s Congress (NPC) on commercial development and opening up in Beijing on March 7.

Xing Guangli 46 NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF CHINA Foreign journalists work at the Great Hall of the People, venue of the Third Session of China’s 12th National Peo- ple’s Congress (NPC), in Beijing, March 5.
Shen Bohan Foreign diplomats attend the opening meeting of the Third Session of China’s 12th National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 5.

Gao Jie Journalists attend a press confer- ence given by officials of the Leg- islative Affairs Commission of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee about the draft revision to the Legislation Law on March 9.
Li Ran Journalists raise hands to ask ques- tions at the press conference of Pre- mier Li Keqiang after the closing meet- ing of the Third Session of China’s 12th National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 15.

Lü Xun ISSUE 1 · 2015 47 NPC National People’s Congress of China