MARCHING INTO THE NEW ERA

By Wang Zhe

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the closing meeting of the first session of the 13th National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 20.

In March 2018 China convened the annual sessions of the NPC and CPPCC, which as usual drew intense global attention. This year’s historically significant “two sessions” represent an important chapter in China’s journey toward national rejuvenation.

Over 18 days from March 3 to 20, NPC deputies and CPPCC members checked offitems on packed agendas, and participated in making a number of momentous decisions. Among them were amendments to the Chinese Constitution to provide legal safeguards for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, establishment of supervisory commissions, plans for State Council institutional reform intended to boost the modernization of China’s system and capacity for governance, and election of state leaders, who will lead the Chinese people to move steadfastly towards the realization of the two centenary goals.

Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the cornerstone of this year’s“two sessions.” And “people first” remains the eternal theme.Positioned at a new historic crossroads, the Chinese people are ready for the next stage of reform,united by the shared dream of national rejuvenation, which has provided inexhaustible strength in the new era.

The more than 5,000 NPC deputies and CPPCC members deliberated and voted on a multitude of reports and proposals including the work report of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee, the report on handling proposals by the CPPCC National Committee,a draft CPPCC charter revision,draft amendments to the Chinese Constitution, the draft supervision law, the government work report,the report on the draft plan for national economic and social development, the report on the central and local draft budgets, the work report of the NPC Standing Committee, the work report of the Supreme People’s Court, the work report of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate and the overhaul plan of the State Council. Their reviews and deliberations are expressions of public opinion, and their voting represents the unity of the will of the Party, the nation and the people.

The latest institutional restructuring of the State Council focuses on transforming government functions,modes of operation and working styles, optimizing the allocation of government functions,and improving the operational efficiency of government.

The New Era

At 10:40 a.m. on March 17,Xi Jinping was elected Chinese president and chairman of Central Military Commission of the People’s Republic of China by a unanimous vote at the first session of the 13th National People’s Congress. Thunderous applause reverberated through the Great Hall of the People when the election results were announced.Over six days from March 14 to 19, the new leadership lineups for the central government and the CPPCC National Committee were arranged.

At the 19th National Congress of the CPC held last October, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era was established as the guiding philosophy of the Party. On March 11, 2018, the third plenary meeting of the first session of the 13th National People’s Congress adopted constitutional amendments including enshrining Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into the Chinese Constitution. Its inclusion in China’s fundamental law confirms Xi Jinping Thought as a guiding principle for state politics and social life which will lead the Party and the nation down a path towards lasting peace and stability.

10million

3percent

China will further reduce its impoverished rural population by 10 million or more, cut nitrogen oxide emissions by 3 percent and take tough measures against unlawful and criminal activities like illegal fundraising and financial fraud.

At the two sessions, Xi Jinping and other state leaders conducted sincere and candid exchanges with NPC deputies and CPPCC members on state policies and strategies. Xi stressed that development is China’s top priority, talent its most valuable asset and innovation its most powerful growth driver. He urged officials in leading positions to maintain exceptional political virtue and called for the nation to win the final phase of the war on poverty in regions still mired in extreme poverty. His remarks on key issues of state governance reflect holistic and strategic thinking and provide theoretical and practical guidance for the “two sessions” as well as China’s future development.

The government work report calls for the nation to join hands and take action to build a beautiful China with blue skies, green land and crystal clear waters. It declares, among other things,that China will further reduce its impoverished rural population by 10 million or more, cut nitrogen oxide emissions by 3 percent and take tough measures against unlawful and criminal activities like illegal fundraising and financial fraud. These goals and measures chart the road ahead for the Chinese people to seek greater development and overcome any difficulties that may emerge along the way.

Deputies vote at the fifth plenary meeting of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 17.

97times

The word “reform”is mentioned at least 97 times in this year’s report on the work of the government.

The 2018 “two sessions”rallied the Chinese people at the onset of a new journey. Its bugle call has reached every Chinese citizen across the vast nation this lively spring season.Holding high the banner of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and transforming the strategic planning made at the 19th National Congress of the CPC into the will of the nation, this year’s NPC and CPPCC sessions left an indelible imprint on China’s journey in the new era.

Key Phrases of Reform

The word “reform” is mentioned at least 97 times in this year’s report on the work of the government.

On March 13, China’s top legislature heard and deliberated on a draft plan for State Council institutional reform, which aims to reduce the State Council’s ministerial-level entities by eight and vice-ministerial-level entities by seven.

The finalized plan dismantled certain government agencies and established or regrouped others such as the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Ecological Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Aiming to further improve China’s governance system, the latest institutional restructuring of the State Council focuses on transforming government functions, modes of operation and working styles, optimizing the allocation of government functions, and improving the operational efficiency of government. It embodies the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee and the 19th National Congress of the CPC, and endeavors to allow the market to play the decisive role in resource distribution.

The current institutional reform aims to address weak links and thorny issues in public governance by streamlining governmental functions. For instance, the establishment of the Ministry of Ecological Environment is a profound change to China’s administrative system covering environmental protection. By consolidating functions that were formerly scattered among several agencies, the newly created Ministry of Emergency Management will raise the nation’s capacity for emergency response and improve available aid in emergency situations,better protecting the personal and property safety of Chinese citizens and safeguarding social stability. Freeing service men and women of worries about the shift to civilian life after discharge is an issue that needs attention as China strives to modernize its army.The newly established Ministry of Veterans Affairs is expected to better protect the rights and interests of military personnel and their families, improve the service and management system of demobilized military personnel,and make military service an occupation held in high esteem by the public.

Among the newly unveiled administrations two are of groundbreaking significance:Immigration and International Development. As China’s economic strength grows,more foreign nationals will flock in, creating the need for a central authority to manage immigration. It is also a gesture of goodwill, highlighting China’s willingness to welcome visitors and migrants from all over the world. The new administration of international development will enable China to better plan and coordinate its international aid, unite work in this area under central management, reform and optimize modes of foreign aid to increase the efficiency of China’s foreign aid. This new administration is also expected to better serve Chinese diplomacy and the Belt and Road Initiative.

Reporters interview members of the CPPCC National Committee at the “ministers’passage” of the Great Hall of the People during the first session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee on March 15.

A trait of the latest round of institutional reform is the merging of departments of similar functions. Similar roles that were formerly exercised by different authorities are now in the hands of one agency.

Supervisory system reform is another highlight of this year’s“two sessions.” The revised Chinese Constitution includes a provision on the supervisory commission and defines its legal status as a state organ. The NPC elected the director of the national supervisory commission and passed the supervision law.

Building Consensus

China’s maturing democratic system can produce decisions of the broadest possible acceptance by gathering representatives of all walks of life for extensive discussions,coordinating different interests and pooling opinions of all sides.

From March 3 to 20, NPC deputies and CPPCC members gathered in Beijing to discuss state affairs and reached consensus on them. The process attested to the vitality of Chinese democracy.

8amen6dments

The State Council made 86 amendments to the report Premier Li Keqiang delivered on the work of the government to the legislature.

325 motions

7,100 proposals

433 written addresses

27speeches

325 motions and about 7,100 proposals were presented, 433 written addresses were submitted and 27 speeches were made.

The number of grassroots NPC deputies and CPPCC members increased sharply this year,which gives the people greater representation and enables their will to be better expressed at the nation’s top legislative and advisory bodies. This is the advantage of Chinese-style democracy: making every citizen’s voice heard and opinions respect.Panel discussions, NPC motions, and CPPCC proposals made the two sessions a platform for the people to exercise their power as masters of the nation.

Based on opinions of NPC deputies in their review, the State Council made 86 amendments to the report Premier Li Keqiang delivered on the work of the government to the legislature.At this year’s CPPCC session,325 motions and about 7,100 proposals were presented, 433 written addresses were submitted and 27 speeches were made.Participants from all walks of life fully expounded their views and built consensus to contribute to the nation’s development.

A new practice at this year’s sessions was that the General Office of the State Council sent its staff members to various meetings to take notes on delegates’comments. After being compiled and sorted, these opinions were brought to the table of State Council leaders and the team drafting the government work report. Views shared by more than a few delegates were passed on to relevant government departments along with a deadline for a response. This practice has paved an expressway between delegates and the government.

China’s maturing democratic system can produce decisions of the broadest possible acceptance by gathering representatives of all walks of life for extensive discussions, coordinating different interests and pooling opinions of all sides.

“President Xi Jinping is the leader of the people who was elected by a unanimous vote,”declared Shen Jilan, the only NPC deputy to serve in all 13 terms. “We should follow his instructions. We aspire not only for enough food and clothing, but for a moderately prosperous society in all respects,which is a glorious and daunting task. We can only realize it by following the leadership of the Party.” Shen’s rise from farmer to a lawmaker is itself the essence of Chinese democracy. Having witnessed the rapid development of China, the 89-year-old is convinced that only a leader who deeply loves the people can effectively helm a nation.

Opinions of the Party, the will of the nation and the voice of the people converge at the “two sessions” to build a formidable momentum to drive China towards the success of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era.

“The new era belongs to everyone, and we are all its witnesses, creators and builders,”exclaimed President Xi in his speech at the closing meeting of the first session of the 13th National People’s Congress on March 20. “No force can stop Chinese people’s march toward realizing their dreams if we unite as one and strive together! We should ride the mighty driving force of the new era with full steam, steady helmsmanship and strong morale.The giant steamer of the Chinese nation bearing the great dreams of the 1.3-billion-plus Chinese people will continue overcoming difficulties and forging ahead. We have successfully set sail for a long voyage into a future full of hopes!”The speech served as a rallying call for the Chinese nation to set off on a new journey with soaring determination.