Wang calls for greater solidarity
Modernization is shared dream of all Chinese people, says top political adviser
China’s top political adviser, Wang Huning, called on Sunday for greater unity and extensive collaboration in order to consolidate efforts to promote the country’s modernization drive.
Wang, chairman of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, made the remark while delivering a speech to around 2,100 national political advisers at the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC, the nation’s top political advisory body.
President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, and other Chinese leaders attended the meeting, held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
A resolution on a work report of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee, a resolution on a report on how the proposals from political advisers have been handled since the previous annual session, a report on the examination of new proposals and a political resolution on the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee were approved at the meeting.
Wang said in his speech that modernization with Chinese characteristics is the common cause and shared dream of all Chinese people.
He also emphasized the significance of telling well Chinese stories to the outside world and clearly explaining that modernization with Chinese characteristics not only benefits the Chinese people but also promotes the modernization of various countries around the world, which will help create a favorable external environment.
“Modernization with Chinese characteristics is a pioneering endeavor without precedent, requiring the solicitation of diverse opinions, the gathering of collective wisdom and the pursuit of sound strategies,” he said.
Wang called on CPPCC members to diligently engage in research to grasp information firsthand, listen to grassroots voices, improve their proposals to make them more targeted and operable, and provide valuable references for scientific decision-making and effective implementation.
Gao Peixuan, a member of the 14th CPPCC National Committee, said: “I am very happy to have gained a lot of new insights through this year’s conference. In the future, I will fulfill my duties well and advance our work through specialized research.”
Tseng Chin-i, another national political adviser and a TV presenter who is from Taiwan and works in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said, “This year’s conference embodies the principles of being pragmatic, efficient and frugal in its organization.”
With this session of the CPPCC National Committee lasting only sixand-a-half days, it was very compact, and each group discussion lasted for at least two hours, requiring everyone to brainstorm, offer suggestions and put forward their opinions, she said.
“Wang’s speech at the closing meeting has raised higher expectations for us advisers with aims for China’s modernization,” she said, adding that members should improve their capabilities and prioritize the quality of proposals.
Modernization with Chinese characteristics is a pioneering endeavor without precedent, requiring the solicitation of diverse opinions, the gathering of collective wisdom and the pursuit of sound strategies.”
Wang Huning,
China’s top political adviser
The second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, China’s top political advisory body, concluded on Sunday in Beijing.
A resolution on a work report of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee, a resolution on a report on how the proposals from political advisers have been handled since the previous annual session, a report on the examination of new proposals, and a political resolution on the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee were all approved at the closing meeting of the session.
Consisting of more than 2,000 members from all walks of life, mostly experts, professionals and industrial leaders in their respective fields, the 14th CPPCC National Committee has played its part well over the past year, and made its due contribution to helping the country fulfill its socioeconomic development objectives. The country’s gross domestic product grew by 5.2 percent in 2023 year-on-year, which was undoubtedly a hard-earned result given the tremendous downward pressure on the economy caused by internal and external uncertainties and risks.
China’s development still faces many unpredictable factors this year. To achieve the annual economic growth target of around 5 percent will be challenging given the comparatively high base of last year.
That requires the country’s political advisers to provide support for the authorities, as they work to stimulate domestic demand, foster innovation and smooth the economic cycle by demonstrating their expertise, knowledge and experience in the form of practical suggestions to aid the efforts of the policymakers and lawmakers.
The country has to vigorously shape new drivers for high-quality economic development and create new advantages; it must strive to strengthen its innovation-driven development, accelerate the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, and make great efforts to forge new competitiveness; and it must enhance the resilience and competitiveness of its industry and supply chains.
To these ends, the CPPCC National Committee members are expected to help put meat on the bones of the concept of “new quality productive forces”. The development of such productive forces was introduced as one of the 10 key tasks for this year in the Government Work Report, which demands the nation strengthen its scientific and technological innovation, especially original and major scientific and technological innovations, and fight for key core technologies.
At the same time, the country has to persist in consolidating its agricultural foundation so it can firmly hold the rice bowl in its own hands, accelerate reform of its financial system, address the challenges posed by its fast aging society and negative population growth — China’s population reduced 2.08 million last year and 15.4 percent of its population were aged 60 and above — and the lingering risks of local government debts that are aggravated by the contraction of the real estate sector and the impacts of the vicissitudes of geopolitical situations.
All of these are tough tests for the political advisers, who are expected to offer valuable insights and suggestions to the policymakers. The advisers need to find a proper position and clear direction for their active participation in the policymaking process, and perform their duties by better leveraging the characteristics and advantages of their respective sectors. They should conduct in-depth investigations and research in their fields of expertise so they can proactively offer recommendations and proposals to help the government successfully complete its tasks for the year and achieve its targets.
By being good advisers, helpers and partners to the ruling party, they can ensure it better meet the needs of the country and people in this challenging time.