More than 2,000 members of the Chinese People's Political
Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee have arrived in
Beijing for the advisory body's annual session, bringing voices
from all walks of life.
"The greatest hope of workers at the grassroots is a smooth
development of the national economy," said Liu Mingshan, who had
been to coal mines in his investigations before coming to
Beijing.
"While developing high-tech industries, efforts should be made to
upgrade traditional industries with new technologies," he said.
He
Zhukang, another CPPCC National Committee member, said China’s
economic growth should change from speed to efficiency oriented,
which is essential to the attainment of the country’s development
goal.
The September 3 Society, a major non-Communist Party in China, has
prepared 13 proposals on reform of scientific research institutions
and government bodies at the county level, and development of the
western regions, among others.
Development of the western regions is the hottest topic among
members from the west.
"Western regions should further open their market and abolish
monopoly to allow fair competition. It is especially important for
government departments to change their functions and place greater
emphasis on the provision of services for the public," said Wei
Dawei from Yunnan Province in the southwest.
In
a co-sponsored proposal, members Pan Guangtian and Zhang Yulin
called on the government to create a better environment and equal
opportunities for the development of the private sector.
Members Zhang Yuanzhen and Fan Yuhu from Jiangsu Province said they
would co-sponsor a proposal on accelerating the development of
China's own microelectronic industry.
"We will propose the construction of a microelectronic corridor
linking Suzhou and Wuxi cities," they said.
(Xinhua 03/02/2001)