The Second Session of the Tenth National Committee of the
Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) ended
Friday afternoon after adopting a political resolution, a
resolution on the draft amendment to the CPPCC charter, and a
decision on the report on handling of proposals launched a year
ago.
The closing meeting also accepted the report on the work of the
Standing Committee of the Tenth CPPCC National Committee and the
report by the Proposals Sub-Committee on the examination of
proposals.
CPPCC National Committee Chairman Jia Qinglin described the
session as a "complete success," saying, "It is a democratic,
fact-finding, united and morale-boosting session, a session with
fruitful results."
"It has demonstrated the vigor and vitality of the patriotic
united front under the leadership of the Communist Party of China
(CPC), and the level and charisma of CPPCC National Committee
members in discussing and handling state affairs," said Jia.
He urged CPPCC committees at all levels and all members to
display their roles to the full and do their utmost to fulfill
economic and social development tasks set for 2004, a year crucial
to China's reform, opening-up and economic and social
development.
The 2,000-plus CPPCC National Committee members strongly
endorsed the draft constitutional amendment, currently being
examined by the ongoing session of the National People's Congress
(NPC), China's top legislature.
The CPPCC members hold that the amendment to the CPPCC charter
has embodied the spirit of "going with the times" and will help
CPPCC improve and standardize the systems and procedures of
performing its duties and functions.
CPPCC members hailed Premier Wen Jiabao's report on the
government work delivered at the NPC session.
"The report presents an accurate and apt picture of the current
situation in the country and the solutions the Premier offers to
existing problems are pragmatic and feasible," said distinguished
economist Lin Yifu.
Members spoke highly of the country's achievements in the past
year and expressed confidence in the accomplishment of all the
tasks set forth in the premier's report.
The CPPCC members reached a consensus that the draft amendment
to the Constitution is based on the opinions from all walks of
life, embodies the important thought of "Three Represents" and the
essence of the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of
China (CPC), reflects the common aspiration of the whole people,
and accords with the fundamental interests of the whole people.
According to the political resolution, the amendment to the
CPPCC Charter is an important event for the implementation and
improvement of the system of multi-party cooperation and political
consultation under the CPC leadership, and a major step for the
CPPCC to meet the new requirements under the new situation and
tasks, which is bound to have a major impact on the cause of the
CPPCC.
CPPCC members also voiced firm support to the basic principle of
"peaceful reunification of the motherland and one country, two
systems" and the eight-point proposal for developing the relations
across the Taiwan Straits and promoting peaceful reunification of
the motherland at the present stage, according to the political
resolution.
The resolution says that the practice of "one country, two
systems" in Hong Kong and Macao is an important component part of
building socialism with distinct Chinese characteristics and there
should be no waver in implementing the principles of "one country,
two systems," "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" and "Macao
people governing Macao."
"The biggest common understanding achieved at the CPPCC session
is to carry on with the next round of transition and development
with a scientific approach to development and translate into action
the "people first" idea. The importance of such consensus can never
be overestimated to China at the major cross-road of development,"
said Chen Qingtai, a CPPCC member and economist from the State
Council Development Research Center.
The major advocacy of the ruling party, after getting consensus
of all parties and all walks of life, will become state policies
and actions of the government in administering state affairs.
A considerable portion of the 4,312 proposals received and 706
speeches made at this year's CPPCC session are related to such
issues as "scientific approach to development," "people first,"
"agricultural, peasants and rural economy," "equilibrium
development" and "anti-corruption."
The CPPCC, an organization of elite entrepreneurs, business
people, experts and scholars, and literary and art workers, is
widely esteemed as China's "largest think tank", whose suggestions
and proposals are highly valued by the CPC Central Committee and
the Chinese government.
Jia called on CPPCC members throughout the country to carry out
in-depth investigations and study of issues of major importance
concerning the national economic development and people's
well-being as highlighted in the government work report, offer
their policy recommendations and perform in a down-to-earth manner
their duty of political consultation, democratic supervision and
participation in the deliberation and administration of state
affairs.
"After the session, we CPPCC members will turn our attention to
major issues that concern development and policy decisions and
pressing problems that concern the well-being of the people," said
Lin Yifu.
Present at the closing session were top CPC and state leaders Hu
Jintao, Jiang Zemin, Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Zeng Qinghong, Huang
Ju, Wu Guanzheng, Li Changchun and Luo Gan.
(Xinhua News Agency March 13, 2004)
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