文/郝 美(Meaad Fadhel Ali Qasem,也門) 譯/張佳藝
12年前,我作為西安電子科技大學的一名本科生第一次來到中國,自那時起,我就關(guān)注到了兩會。據(jù)我所知,兩會是1959年以來歷年召開的全國人民代表大會和中國人民政治協(xié)商會議,是中國最重要的政治活動之一。作為一名長期在華生活并見證了兩會成果的外國公民,我想我可以談一談我在日常生活中感受到的兩會帶來的影響。
在2020年1月新冠疫情暴發(fā)后,中國封控了兩個多月。這場危機極易摧毀國家經(jīng)濟,也會增加貧困。然而,中國采取了系列措施,盡可能減少損失并穩(wěn)住了局勢。同時,中國還積極尋求恢復生活的替代方法。例如,疫情期間中國對公民和在華工作的外國人實施部分稅費減免政策,這幫助了我的一個在義烏開公司的姐姐把生意一直經(jīng)營至今。另一個鼓舞人心的故事是,一個我姐姐的朋友也在義烏工作,并在當?shù)負碛袃商坠ⅲ咔榉饪仄陂g,她接到了一名警察的電話,請求她如果可以的話為其租戶免租一兩個月,或者至少減少他們的租金,幫助他們克服眼下的困境。這通電話不僅是打給她的,也是打給這個城市的所有房東的。這種對細節(jié)的關(guān)注我在其他地方從未見過。
Since I arrived in China almost twelve years ago as a bachelor’s student at Xidian University,I have been fascinated by the Two Sessions.The Two Sessions,as I have learned,is an annual event that brings together the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).This event has been held since 1959 and is one of China’s most important political events.As a foreign citizen who has lived in China for a long time and has witnessed the outcomes of The Two Sessions,I believe I can discuss the results I have experienced in my daily life.
During the first outbreak of COVID-19 in January 2020,the country was locked down for more than two months.This crisis could have easily destroyed the country’s economy and significantly increased poverty.However,China’s measurements to minimize losses as much as possible helped contain the situation and find alternative methods to carry on with life.For example,some taxes were abolished for two years,not only for Chinese citizens but also for foreigners working in China.This helped my sister,who owns a company in Yiwu,to keep her business running to this date.Another inspiring story is that of a friend of my sister’s who works in Yiwu and owns two apartments there.She received a call from a police officer during the lockdown,asking her to provide her tenant with one or two months of free rent or at least reduce their rent if she could,to help them overcome this situation.This call was made to her and to every other landlord in the city.Such attention to detail is something I have not seen anywhere else.
就我自己而言,在第一次封控期間,我在應對這種疫情突發(fā)狀況時沒有遇到任何困難,因為我當時還是一名在校博士生,西安電子科技大學為校園內(nèi)的所有學生提供了所有必需資源。然而,在2022年1月的第二次封控期間,我成了西安電子科技大學的一名國際專家,第一次住到了校外。剛搬到校外時我很沮喪,既對周圍不熟悉,又不知道該如何應對封控。盡管如此,我記得每天仍會接到西安電子科技大學不同部門的電話,詢問我有什么需要。此外,在封控第一周食物供應成了問題,但我很幸運,學校給我寄來了幾袋蔬菜包。你可能會好奇,這和兩會有什么關(guān)系?事實上,如果沒有兩會的合理指導以及為群眾承擔責任的制度,公民和居民不會有這種福利。
這些故事是兩會如何幫助中國各地普通人的一些例子。通過扶貧等舉措,政府已使數(shù)百萬人脫貧脫困,為他們提供了改善生活的機會,并幫助他們即使在處境艱難的情況下也能過上正常的生活。一個擁有10多億人口的國家在如此漫長的封控期間卻沒有遭遇溫飽問題,這讓我感到十分驚訝。其間食物價格一直保持穩(wěn)定,有時政府還會免費發(fā)放一些食物。
我還了解到,兩會的成功體現(xiàn)在政府對創(chuàng)新和技術(shù)的重視。近年來,中國在研發(fā)方面投入了大量資金,催生出蓬勃發(fā)展的科技產(chǎn)業(yè)。這一產(chǎn)業(yè)不僅創(chuàng)造了新的就業(yè)機會和經(jīng)濟增長,還助推中國走在技術(shù)創(chuàng)新的前沿。舉個例子,中國大疆創(chuàng)新現(xiàn)如今是世界領(lǐng)先的無人機制造商,目前市值已超過300億美元。
兩會的成功也體現(xiàn)在政府對可持續(xù)發(fā)展的承諾。中國在減少碳足跡和向清潔能源過渡方面取得了重大進展。中國現(xiàn)今是世界上最大的可再生能源生產(chǎn)國,特別關(guān)注太陽能和風能。例如,2022年青海省實現(xiàn)了連續(xù)35天全清潔能源供電,這一壯舉正是通過政府對清潔能源的投資和對減少碳排放的投入實現(xiàn)的。
經(jīng)過觀察與思考,我認為兩會的意義在于政府對人民需求的承諾。通過種種政策,中國已使數(shù)千萬人脫貧脫困,創(chuàng)造了新的產(chǎn)業(yè)和就業(yè)機會,并成為全球經(jīng)濟大國。
As for myself,during the first lockdown,I did not face any difficulties coping with the sudden situation because I was still a Ph.D.student living on campus,and Xidian University provided all the necessary resources to everyone on campus.However,during the second lockdown in January 2022,I was a new International Expert at Xidian University,living off-campus for the first time.I was frustrated because I had just moved off-campus and was not familiar with the area,let alone being locked down and unsure how to deal with the situation.Nevertheless,I remember receiving daily calls from different departments at Xidian University,asking if I needed anything.Additionally,when it was challenging to find food during the first week of the lockdown,I was fortunate to have my school send me bags of vegetables.But,you may wonder,what does this have to do with the Two Sessions? In fact,without the rational guidelines of the Two Sessions and the system based on assuming the responsibility of the masses,neither citizens nor residents would have such benefit.
These stories show how the Two Sessions have helped ordinary people across China.Through initiatives like poverty alleviation,the government has been able to lift millions of people out of poverty and provide opportunities for them to improve their lives and help them have an everyday life even in a crisis.I was astonished that a country with a population of more than 1 billion people did not suffer from hunger during such extended lockdowns.Food remained at the steady price,if not distributed for free from the government,sometimes.
From the government’s focus on innovation and technology,I have learned that the Two Sessions are successful.China has made significant investments in research and development in recent years,leading to the emergence of a thriving tech industry.This industry has created new jobs and economic growth and helped propel China to the forefront of technological innovation.One example of this is the Chinese company DJI,which is now the world’s leading manufacturer of drones,is now valued at over $30 billion.
Another factor contributing to the Two Sessions’success is the government’s commitment to sustainable development.China has made significant progress in reducing its carbon footprint and transitioning to clean energy sources.The country is now the world’s largest producer of renewable energy,with a particular focus on solar and wind power.For example,in 2022,the Qinghai province achieved 35 consecutive days of clean energy power supply,a feat made possible through the government’s investment in clean energy and commitment to reducing carbon emissions.
Reflecting on the spirit of the Two Sessions,I believe its success lies in the government’s commitment to the needs of its people.Through its policies,China has lifted tens of millions of people from poverty,created new industries and jobs,and become a global economic power.
2022年6月8日,無人機在青海省海西蒙古族藏族自治州德令哈市光伏(光熱)產(chǎn)業(yè)園拍攝的青海中控德令哈50兆瓦光熱電站(新華社記者 范培珅 攝)
作為一個在華外國人,我相信,像我這樣的普通人的故事和經(jīng)歷,以及大疆創(chuàng)新和華為等公司的成功,證明了當政府政策專注于改善公民生活時帶來的變革力量。
值得注意的是,兩會不僅是一個政治活動,還是政府與公眾接觸并廣泛聽取公眾意見的平臺。正是通過這樣的對話與交流,中國才能在建設(shè)一個更加包容和公平的社會方面取得進展。今年的兩會重點關(guān)注了教育、醫(yī)療和環(huán)境等問題,政府還宣布了增加社會支出和進一步支持中小型企業(yè)的計劃。我希望有更多的國家把中國經(jīng)驗作為學習榜樣,或參考中國經(jīng)驗后形成自己的成功經(jīng)驗。
總而言之,作為這里的外籍人士,我很贊賞兩會反映的中國政治和經(jīng)濟方面的成就。以經(jīng)濟發(fā)展、創(chuàng)新、技術(shù)和可持續(xù)發(fā)展為重點,中國在改善人民生活方面取得了重大進展。雖然圍繞中國的政治制度和治理有一些不同聲音,但我認為那些從政府政策和舉措中受益的人們的故事與經(jīng)歷是不應被忽視或否定的。
As a foreigner in China,I believe that the stories and experiences of ordinary people like me and the success of companies like DJI and Huawei are a testament to the transformative power of government policies when they are focused on improving the lives of their citizens.
It is important to note that the Two Sessions is not just a political event but also a platform for the government to engage with the public and hear their concerns and feedback.Because it is through dialogue and engagement that progress can be made toward a more inclusive and equitable society.This year’s Two Sessions saw a focus on issues such as education,healthcare,and the environment.The government also announced plans to increase social spending and further support small and mediumsized enterprises.I wish that more countries take the Chinese experience as a role model to follow or at least learn from it to have their version of a successful venture.
In conclusion,as an expat here,I appreciate the Two Sessions as a reflection of China’s political and economic success.Through its focus on economic development,innovation,technology,and sustainable development,China has made significant progress in improving the lives of its people.While there are some criticisms surrounding China’s political system and governance,I believe that the tremendous stories and experiences of people who have benefited from government policies and initiatives should not be ignored or dismissed.