Impression from two sessions: Government puts people first
Around 12:35 pm on Tuesday, Premier Li Keqiang concluded his annual news conference, reiterating the government’s resolution to bring tangible benefits to the people.
“Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we’ll continue to put people first,” he said. “Please rest assured that efforts made by a people’s government boils down to the purpose of serving the people and improving their lives.
“We’ll continue to put people first and make more high-quality resources more available to the people.”
His two hours with the media addressed several questions concerning people’s livelihoods, and it was also my biggest takeaway from this year’s experience covering the two sessions: Suggestions and appeals are voiced through deputies from all walks of life, and through this process the government works comprehensively to make people’s lives better.
Over the past two weeks spent with deputies, I found that many of them, especially the newly elected ones, feel the same way.
On March 6, the day after this year’s session of the National People’s Congress opened, I was at the Great Hall of the People to participate in a group open day for the Anhui delegation. More than 100 legislators shared their views and suggestions on the Government Work Report delivered by the premier the day before.
Sitting behind a row of deputies, I noticed during a conference break a man sitting in front of me who was filling notebook pages with English sentences.
The 53-year-old deputy was Wei Zhen, a computer science professor and CEO of a private company in Anhui that produces signaling devices for railways. This was his first time to be elected as an NPC deputy.
Since the 1990s, Wei has made frequent business trips overseas, mostly to the United States and European countries, an experience that has helped him think about the political systems in those countries.
“Being elected as an NPC deputy and attending the annual plenary session of the top legislature is an experience that helped me understand much more about our own country’s political system and the legislative process,” he said. “I also have a chance to see how widely opinions are voiced from all walks of life, and how these opinions make a difference.”
Wei told me what impressed him most was that deputies’ suggestions cover many industries and include everything from promoting Chinese traditional food to building village libraries and improving the lives of migrant workers by giving them longer holidays.
“Deputies from all areas have a chance to voice their suggestions to the leadership,” he said, “so that policies in all areas can be updated and improved.”