Voice from Beijing

China Daily: Golden time to make it right 05/03

Annual sessions must seize opportunity to resolve the problematic wealth distribution and outdated growth model.

A series of complicated issues that China is facing, such as its real estate market, overproduction, growing inflation pressures and the dwindling momentum of exports, make it more necessary than ever for the Chinese government to push forward with changes to its long-established development model.

Fortunately, at their recent public outings, China's leaders frequently mentioned the word "change", indicating their determination to pursue new changes to the country's development. Chinese leaders have realized that the global financial crisis has sounded a wake-up call. It is high time China reversed and corrected its previous model of economic growth.

Netizen: expatter 04/03

Housing prices and inflation are problems for many. My suggestion would be for the government to build homes at different locations, and then rent them out to ordinary families. Each person would qualify on a strict basis of need and availability and ability to pay. The rent would be the cost of building divided by number of years the building would stand, plus annual maintenance. The initial approval for renting would involve double background checks and later ensure that the house was occupied and in use. Any empty apartment would be investigated through strict procedures. The management would have rules and guidelines on use and the number of people living there.

Health cost is an issue as it is everywhere. Human dignity would suggest that poor people should have a place where they can see the end of their days without bankrupting their family. Again the criteria should be strictly assessed. The government could build special hospitals to give preference to the old and poor and to protect the old person's families from ruin. Funding could come from lotteries and especially corporations that want to show they care and are encouraged by government to prove it. It is even possible that older people in the community could hold fundraisers and collections for awareness and to facilitate such a place.

Chinadaily.com.cn: Listen to the people 03/03

"Two Sessions" in China refers to the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, which can be shortened to the NPC & CPPCC. During the Two Sessions, deputies from different areas will make proposals about the crucial problems and important issues of the country.

Every year, the issue of people's livelihood will take up a significant part of the government work report that is delivered during the sessions. So before this year's report comes out, we went out onto the streets and interviewed citizens to find out what they are most concerned about.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/video/2010-03/03/content_9529750.htm