Netizens' top concern relayed to premier

Medical insurance came under spotlight on March 16, as the topic was selected through an online poll conducted by China Daily and online news portal Toutiao as a question for Premier Li Keqiang.

The poll - "I have a question for the premier" - received more than 24 million responses, with netizens called on to choose three questions connected to people's livelihoods from 10 options.

"At the top of the list was 'How can China achieve national portability of medical insurance plans?'. It received 10 million votes," China Daily reporter Wu Jiao told Li during his news conference at the end of the annual sessions of the legislature and top political advisory bodies in Beijing.

Portability refers to allowing insurance plan subscribers to keep their plan if they relocate or to be covered if healthcare is needed while away from home.

Other topics included narrowing the disparity in pensions, strengthening food quality and security, and speeding up construction of affordable public housing.

"Premier Li, is there a timetable for us to achieve national portability of medical insurance?" Wu asked.

Li began his reply by saying, "I want to first thank you for conducting the survey and asking the people what the top concerns are in their daily lives. That will certainly help the government do its job better."

He went on to say that the government "is resolved" to achieve national portability of health insurance plans "at a faster pace", and that provincial-level portability will be achieved within the year.

Qi Shuyu, a professor with the Chinese Academy of Governance, says it was a "fresh idea" for influential Chinese media to solicit and deliver public opinions via the Internet and new media platforms.

As more than half of China's population surfs the Web, delivering the 10 topics of greatest concern contributes to briefing the top policymakers, Qi adds.

In the past three years, the central government's presence has gathered momentum on social networks, boosting policy transparency and extending its reach to all mainstream information and networking outlets.

As of March 16, the State Council's micro blog had more than 12,500 posts and about 13.4 million followers.

zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily European Weekly 03/18/2016 page4)