ISSUE 1 · 2014 《中国人大》对外版 NPC National People’s Congress of China CHINA CONCLUDES ANNUAL PARLIAMENTARY SESSION, UPHOLDING REFORM, RULE OF LAW Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Commit- tee of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC), delivers a work report of the NPC Standing Com- mittee during the second plenary meeting of the second session of the 12th NPC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 9. Li Xueren China concludes annual parliamentary session, 6 upholding reform, rule of law Contents Special Report 19 33 Gear down for a healthier economy No need for nerves over China’s 6 defense spending China concludes annual parliamen- 20 tary session, upholding reform, rule Peace-seeking nation eyes more 34 of law active international role Good year-end ‘to secure 7.5 percent growth target’ 10 Report on the work of the Standing 35 Committee of the National People’s In-depth Promote healthy development of Congress (excerpts) Internet finance 16 29 36 Reform as ‘powerful impetus’ Law-based government characterizes Harsh measures pledged China’s reform ambitions on food safety 18 Ensure steady growth and 30 37 job creation Anti-corruption campaign intensified War declared against pollution 4 NATIONAL PEOPle’s CoNGRESS OF CHINA 29 Law-based government characterizes China’s reform ambitions 34 Good year-end ‘to secure 44 7.5 percent growth target’ China-France ties closer ISSUE 1 · 2014 38 Observation In-home nursing gains popularity in aging China 43 39 Strength of silence Defying challenges, China’s rural Interparliamentary Exchange NPC reforms to bring changes General Editorial Office Address: 23 Xijiaominxiang, 41 44 Xicheng District Beijing Poverty eradication needs a target China-France ties closer 100805,P.R.China Tel: (86-10)6309-8540 Picture (86-10)8308-3891 42 E-mail: [email protected] Doctor mobility urged in public hospital reform 22-27 ISSN 1674-3008 CN 11-5683/D Price:RMB35 COVER: The second session of the 12th National People’s Congress (NPC) convenes from March 5 Edited by The People’s Congresses Journal to 13, 2014 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Li Yue Published by The People’s Congresses Journal Printed by Beijing Guo Cai Printing Co., Ltd. in China ISSUE 1 · 2014 5 SPECIAL REPORT China concludes annual parliamentary session, upholding reform, rule of law 6 NATIONAL PEOPle’s CoNGRESS OF CHINA Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC), presides over the closing meeting of the sec- ond session of the 12th NPC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 13. Li Xueren hina’s top legislator stressed reform and rule of law as the National People’s Congress (NPC), con- cluded its annual session on March 13, 2014. The lawmakers reached consensus, defined ma- Cjor missions and strengthened confidence on the country’s development at the session, said Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, in his address at the closing meeting of the session. Zhang highlighted in his speech the commitment to fur- ther reform and rule of law. Bearing the “glorious mission” of deepening reform, “we should mainly rely on the people...strengthen our confidence, stay on a correct path and accumulate consensus...to write a new chapter in the history of our great cause of reform and opening-up,” Zhang told nearly 3,000 lawmakers. He called for further fulfillment of rule of law, protection of people’s rights and interests and safeguarding justice. The NPC and its standing committee bear an important responsibility in improving socialist democracy and rule of law, Zhang said. The closing meeting of the “We will adhere to the principle of integrating the leader- second session of China's ship of the Party, the people’s status as masters of the country 12th National People's Con- and rule of law,” he said. gress (NPC) is held at the The top legislature will continue safeguarding rule of law Great Hall of the People in Bei- jing on March 13. Chen Jianli and authority of the Constitution and laws, while listening ISSUE 1 · 2014 7 SPECIAL REPORT The second session of the 12th NPC receives a total of 8,576 proposals and suggestions submitted by NPC deputies, among which 19 need particular handling. 5th session of 11th NPC 8,189 1st session of 12th NPC 7,569 Number of proposals 2nd session of 12th NPC 8,576 and suggestions 113 elderly care service system 108taxation reform 187 food and drug safety drug and food 374 medical reform medical financial system reform 105 air pollution 104 Ma Yan 8 NATIONAL PEOPle’s CoNGRESS OF CHINA plan and the central budget. At the session, the NPC deputies They also endorsed the work reports of the NPC Standing Committee, the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme examined and approved a number People’s Procuratorate. of important documents. The lawmakers approved the resignations of two NPC Standing Committee members at the closing meeting. Chen Sixi and Wang Xiao resigned from the Standing Committee in May and June last year after Chen was ap- to the call of the people and responding to their requests, he pointed as deputy director of the central government’s liaison said, adding that the top legislature will continue to improve office in Macao, and Wang took the post of deputy governor the system of people’s congresses. of Northwest China’s Qinghai Province. Zhang said that during the NPC session, the lawmakers According to the Constitution, NPC Standing Committee worked in a pragmatic and efficient way and shared their members, elected from NPC deputies, are not allowed to take views and ideas. posts in governments, courts and procuratorates. At the session, the NPC deputies examined and approved a The NPC Standing Committee accepted their resignations number of important documents, including the Government in June and submitted them to the full session for final ap- Work Report, the national economic and social development proval. (Xinhua) List of seven resolutions and draft resolutions approved by the second session of the 12th NPC Title of the resolutions and draft resolutions Yes No Abstention Government Work Report 2,887 15 5 Draft resolution on the implementation of the 2013 plan for national economic and social development, and on the draft 2014 plan for national economic and 2,760 97 47 social development Draft resolution on the implementation of the central and local budgets for 2013, 2,504 293 102 and on the central and local budgets for 2014 Draft resolution on the work report of the NPC Standing Committee 2,784 74 44 Draft resolution on the work report of the Supreme People’s Court 2,425 378 95 Draft resolution on the work report of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate 2,402 390 108 Draft resolution on the resignation of two NPC Standing Committee members 2,797 38 55 The closing meeting of the second session of China's 12th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 13. Zhang Duo ISSUE 1 · 2014 9 SPECIAL REPORT Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC), delivers a work report of the NPC Standing Committee during the second plenary meeting of the second session of the 12th NPC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 9. Li Xueren Report on the work of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (excerpts) Delivered at the Second Session of the 12th National People’s Congress on March 9, 2014 Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee 10 NATIONAL PEOPle’s CoNGRESS OF CHINA actions, and make the mechanism for protecting people’s Major tasks for 2014 rights and interests more accessible and better regulated. We will revise the Environmental Protection Law and the Air Pol- The year 2014 is the first year for fully implementing the lution Prevention and Control Law to improve the environ- guiding principles of the Third Plenary Session of the 18th mental protection and management system so that emissions CPC Central Committee and its decision to comprehensively of all pollutants can be supervised strictly, and enforce the deepen reform and is crucial for completing all the tasks of strictest systems for protecting the environment by control- the 12th Five-Year Plan. The general requirements for the ling pollution at the source, holding polluters accountable for work the NPC Standing Committee this year are as follows: the damage they cause and having them compensate for it. Hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese charac- Other items on the Standing Committee’s legislative agenda teristics; take Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought for this year are as follows: Revise the Legislation Law, the of Three Represents and the Scientific Outlook on Develop- Food Safety Law, the Production Safety Law, the Securities ment as the guide; comprehensively implement the guiding Law, the Advertising Law, the Military Equipment Protection principles of the Eighteenth National Party Congress and the Law, and the Education Law; and enact the Asset Evalua- second and third plenary sessions of the Eighteenth CPC Cen- tion Law, the Waterway Law, the State Medals and Honorary tral Committee; study and implement the guidelines of Gen- Titles Law, the Futures Law, the Grain Law, and the Chinese eral Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speeches; firmly uphold Medicines Law. the unity of the leadership of the Party, the position of the For reform measures set forth by the CPC Central Commit- people as masters of the country, and the rule of law; focus tee that require enacting or revising laws or legal authoriza- on the overall work of the Party and country as we perform tion, we will intensify research, promptly get started, arrange our official functions and carry out our work in accordance deliberation at appropriate times, and ensure that major with the law; strengthen legislation in key areas; strengthen reforms have a legal basis and are carried out in an orderly oversight of the State Council, the Supreme People’s Court way.