Sound Bites
I hope the 17th Party congress will bring more good news for the people. The Party has made great efforts to solve the big livelihood problems of farmers in traveling, schooling and medical care and now we need not pay agricultural tax, but instead receive subsidies.
Yue Anchang
A farmer from Yuebao Village of Zhuanglang County in Gansu Province
In recent years, the Party has adhered to a scientific and harmonious development. It has listened to public opinions and taken into account people's needs, bringing a lot of benefits to the general public.
Xu Zhitao
A worker from the Yueyang Paper Mill in Hunan Province
I hope the Party congress brings more favorite policies for migrant workers. I have to go back to my hometown in Henan Province next semester to take the national college entrance examination, because I have no Beijing hukou, or permanent residence permit. But I want to stay with my parents, who are migrant workers, in Beijing.
Huang Mengmeng
A student at Beijing Yuzhong Middle School
It is conceivable that the Party's congress will promote the rule of law and the concept of a modern legal society. On the other hand, the democratic political system is expected to be improved.
Jiang Ping
A professor with the China University of Politics and Law
I hope the Party congress addresses the most important issues such as fighting corruption, narrowing the rich-poor gap and curbing inflation.
Deng Zhangzhu
A civil servant in Changsha, Hunan Province
This is the most important political meeting for determining the major principles and policies for the next five years, as well as establishing the future leadership succession. The scientific development concept will become the guiding ideology of the CPC.
Lianhe Zaobao (Singapore)
China has been playing an increasingly important role in the world, making the country's future policies important to foreign media. Overseas reporting will increase intensively, covering China's economy, Chinese people's livelihoods, the nation's diplomatic strategies and the fight against corruption.
China has been more pragmatic about promoting governance and development, as well as improving transparency in the Party and government in recent years. We have every reason to expect the Party congress to be more open and transparent to the media.
Wen Wei Pao (Hong Kong)
The new generation of Chinese leaders are pragmatic, steeped in economic experience and increasingly have backgrounds in finance and law. Their leadership structure is more collegial, and their focus is on the economy, not on politics.
Associated Press
(China Daily 10/15/2007 page18)
