Since the opening of the annual sessions of China's National
People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese
People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), foreign media
have paid great attention to the development of sessions and
opinions voiced at panel discussions. Following are selections of
their news coverage or comments.
Washington Post: China looks to
protect private property
China's legislature began examining a much-debated measure
Thursday that is intended to help protect private property in an
increasingly well-off society.
Although the Communist Party still believes the state owns all
land, the growing economy has meant that private property "has been
increasing with each passing day," the draft legislation states,
adding that the protection of that property is the "urgent demand
of the people."
As with many laws in China, the property measure -- expected to
pass by the end of the session March 16 -- could prove difficult to
enforce.
AP: China to focus on helping poor
Chinese leaders are trying to improve energy efficiency to
reduce both environmental damage and China's reliance on imported
oil, which they see as a strategic weakness.
China is one of the world's biggest consumers of oil and coal,
and uses several times as much energy per unit of economic output
as the United States, Japan and other countries.
CNN: China seeks to cure social unrest
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Monday pledged greater support for
education and health care over the next year and said the
government would tackle sources of social unrest such as
environmental problems, land seizures and privatization of state
industries.
Wen and other Chinese leaders have promised repeatedly to close
a growing gap between China's rich and poor, which they worry
threatens political stability and the ruling party's hold on
power.
China's good corporate citizens find their
voice
For years, China has been subjected to sharp foreign criticism
about conditions in its factories amid claims that its cheap
exports come at the expense of the environment and workers' safety
and pay.
In recent months the debate has taken a twist, with an
increasing number of similar charges leveled from inside China, by
officials and quasi-government industry bodies concerned about an
export backlash.
(Xinhua News Agency March 13, 2007)