What they say
The public still lacks adequate awareness of nutrition, as only 20 percent of the population knows about the healthy diet mentioned in the Healthy China 2030 initiative. We also lag behind on projects to improve nutrition when compared with other countries. For example, the nutrition improvement projects for rural students receiving a compulsory education only cover 31 percent of those students. It’s necessary to improve legislation on the implementation of projects and education on nutrition, as well as the management of financial support for these nutrition improvement projects. The government can legislate to protect good nutrition in the education system and ensure financial support for nutritious meal programs for students.
Shi Dongyu,
NPC deputy, nutrition and health director of the research and development department at China Mengniu Dairy Co
Outbound tourism has been on the rise in recent years, which has increased travelers’ demand for international luxury goods and cosmetics. Hainan province has seen rapid growth in travelers’ spending on such goods since a similar tax-free policy on luxury items was introduced to travelers leaving the island. I suggest that a tax-free policy also be implemented on Pingtan Island in Fujian province, as its construction plan, approved by the State Council, says that the government should step up development of shopping-driven tourism on the island. It’s also of great help to transfer people’s spending at overseas destinations to domestic attractions. The Ministry of Finance can designate Pingtan as an experimental zone for a tax-free policy, where the goods can include jewelry, watches, perfumes and cosmetics.
Xue Yufeng,
NPC deputy, Party secretary of Dongmen community, Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone, Fujian province
The government can apply flexible arrangements for the Spring Festival holiday to help redirect population flows before and after the break. The COVID-19 outbreak disrupted the Spring Festival holiday and increased the risk of infection due to the mass population flow, which also hampered companies’ resumption of work because of the quarantine policy. The government can give more choices to local authorities and companies, letting them arrange employers’ holidays in accordance with their situations. For example, people could choose seven- to 11-day holidays over a 20-day period before and after the Spring Festival holiday. Flexible holiday arrangements can secure improved rest and family reunions and also help people avoid travel peaks, which will lower pressure on public transportation.
Zhu Dingjian,
CPPCC National Committee member, president of Mission Hills Group, a leisure and tourism company
Introducing a smart system of fire protection and firefighting is necessary, as frequent forest fires caused by extreme weather have brought tremendous losses to the country in recent years. In 2019, there were 2,345 forest fires nationwide, with the damaged areas totaling about 135 square kilometers. It’s necessary to improve the earlywarning and monitoring system, and also the communications and command system, to ensure a quick response to the fires. Some advanced facilities and smart firefighting systems, for example firefighting drones, are also needed. It’s important to make the ability to deal with fires more comprehensive with the assistance of modern technologies and management systems.
Chen Liang,
NPC deputy, deputy director of the State-owned forest farm and parks bureau in Hinggan League, Inner Mongolia autonomous region