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New China parliament session to focus on pollution, wealth gap
2007-03-03
China on Saturday begins its annual parliamentary session with the widening wealth gap and environmental degradation topping the agenda of the world's most populous country. The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), a rubber-stamp advisory body, opens its 12-day session on Saturday afternoon at the Great Hall of the People in the capital. Though powerless, the 2,200-member CPPCC is expected to underline key concerns of the government ahead of Monday's full kick-off of the upper house and main legislative body, the National People's Congress (NPC). China's government is struggling to maintain what it calls a "harmonious" society amid an economic boom that has brought income disparities, corruption and severe pollution that is affecting the health of millions. Although neither body has ever opposed a single Communist Party or government-backed proposal since the People's Republic was founded in 1949, the annual session provides a forum for the government to lay out its aims for the following year. The 3,000-delegate NPC will approve a work report by Premier Wen Jiabao that underlines the drive for "harmony". "All government departments must be highly attentive to the problems concerning the people's daily lives," the state-run press cited Wen as saying last month as he prepared the report. "The government must improve social welfare work and ensure the basic necessities for people in poverty." The parliament is expected to pass a long-awaited property law offering extra protection for the private sector and another that will raise tax rates on foreign enterprises, bringing them in line with domestic firms at a unified 25 percent rate. Wen is also expected to set an economic growth target for this year of "about eight percent", government officials that have helped prepare the report said. Similar targets have been exceeded in the past but the officials said Wen would outline more forceful measures including possible structural reforms this year to rein in growth. "Efforts should be made to restructure the economy and change the economic growth pattern, enhance energy efficiency and environmental protection," Wen said in comments reported in the state press. Lawmakers are also expected to discuss ways to make China's legal system more fair. The diverse CPPCC consists of representatives of the Communist Party, as well as other political parties, social organisations and ethnic minorities. More than 500,000 security personnel are being mobilised in Beijing, with police intent on stopping anyone from spoiling the proceedings by airing their multiplying grievances to the government. The heavy security and petitioners have become an annual sideline to the session.
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