China's top political advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference or CPPCC opened its annual session in Beijing on Tuesday. Over 2,000 advisors of national affairs from across the country will underline major concerns of the country's development including economy, employment and infrastructure during the meeting.
As one of China's top entrepreneurs and vice-Chairman of the subcommittee of Economy of the CPPCC National Committee, Liu Yonghao is hotly-pursued by media whenever he appears at the meeting. This year the active businessman has brought with him eight proposals.
"All my proposals focus on the three rural issues of agriculture, countryside and farmers. I hope the government and private sector can provide more support to farmers to help them go through the most difficult time of the financial crisis and develop the country's agriculture industry."
CPPCC member Lv Jianzhong from Shaanxi says he is concerned about how to develop China's cultural industry.
"Under the current circumstances of global financial crisis, to develop cultural industry can not only strengthen economic growth but also create employment and increase domestic demand. And cultural industry consumes fewer natural resources and causes no pollution."
They are among the more than 2,200 political advisors in attendance the 2009 CPPCC annual Session. As of 5 p.m. Monday, CPPCC members had submitted nearly 300 proposals, with economy, employment and infrastructure being the main concerns as the global financial crisis unfolds. Political advisors have shown great concern to the country's 4-trillion-yuan, or some 580 billion U.S. dollars stimulus package, saying efforts should be made to prevent "overlapping construction".
The annual meeting has also drawn much attention from the general public. A survey done by people.com.cn, one of China's major news portals reveals that anti-corruption, environmental protection and food and medicine safety top the list of issues netizens care about most.
Liang Song is a Beijing resident.
"I'll pay much attention to the medical care reform and also the food safety issue. It's closely related to our everyday life."
This year's CPPCC session will be watched by domestic and international media, curious to see how China has been affected by the financial crisis, and how effective the government's 4 trillion yuan stimulus package will be. A record high of over 3000 journalists have registered to cover the 9-day session.
(CRI March 4, 2009)