What the NPC deputies and CPPCC members say

Chen Wei, NPC deputy, vice-president of Quzhou Hospital of TCM in Zhejiang province

Some locations in recent years have used special provincial-level funds to help patients with rare diseases with their hefty medical bills. However, charity assistance for such patients is still facing challenges, including unstable funding sources and inconsistent relief standards. A central charity fund for the patients would be a feasible solution to help manage their heavy financial burdens due to the high prices of drugs. The special funds need to have stable funding sources and clear standards for applicants, so that those who are really in need may receive longterm, stable assistance.

Liu Rui, NPC deputy, head of the Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Zhejiang

According to the Environment Protection Law, governments at the county level and above should report to the local legislature annually about their local natural environmental situations and their environmental targets. But in practice, these reports are sometimes not comprehensive, systematic or formalized and have a limited effect. The city of Jiaxing in Zhejiang expanded the report requirement from governments to courts and procuratorates, as well as from county-level governments to subdistricts. Regions along the Yangtze River may promote the expanded requirement so that the public can better supervise environmental work.

Zheng Yali, CPPCC National Committee member, vice-president of Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics

The establishment of a nationwide Artisans’ Day would enable skilled workers to feel that their lives have improved thanks to their skills, and that society respects them more. It would push workers to be more focused, persistent and dedicated, and encourage them to constantly pursue perfection, and it would motivate more young people to learn from and become artisans. To that end, a tiered ranking system for artisans, and regular appraisals and selections of them, would better advance the cultivation of skilled workers.

Lu Man, NPC deputy, Party chief of Chenjia village in Yancheng, Jiangsu province

At the moment, there is no special law against cyberbullying, as relevant regulations are scattered among various laws and rules. Legislators should consider summarizing them to better clarify the civil, administrative and criminal responsibilities in cyberbullying, so as to raise the legal awareness and improve the methods of self-protection against cyberbullying. The current Criminal Law caps the prison term for insults and defamation — the crimes most associated with cyberbullies — at three years, which many believe is insufficient.