As the blueprint for development is discussed at the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China starts today in Beijing, many people have a clear idea of what they want: Something that improves their daily life.
"My friends and I all know the Party congress from newspapers and television," said Wei Yijia after enjoying a blockbuster movie in the capital's busy shopping area of Wangfujing.
"The congress is very important to us because the policies discussed will have a direct impact on our everyday life, such as air quality and drinking water safety," said Wei, who works at a foreign-invested accounting firm in Beijing.
Jiang Guilan, who is a member of a neighborhood committee in Changping District of Beijing, said food prices in supermarkets are surging, so she has to buy low-priced vegetables from street vendors - and hopes that leaders will work out policies to lower food prices and implement them effectively.
"My concerns might seem personal and trivial, but I think they are exactly what affect the daily life of ordinary people like me," she added.
Some online surveys prior to the congress have suggested that a host of social issues ranging from employment and social security to the widening wealth gap are among the top concerns the public hope the CPC congress addresses.
An online poll on Chinanews.com found that the fight against corruption, and soaring commodity and housing prices were the two major topics, covering nearly 45 percent of the 20,810 votes.
Problems related to people's livelihood have been the focus of the government, especially since Premier Wen Jiabao included them in his government work report to the national legislature in March.
Questions:
1. What do ordinary Chinese citizens hope the National Party Congress will discuss?
2. Name some of these issues.
3. In a survey by Chinanews.com, what were the two biggest concerns? .
Answers:
1.How to improve daily people’s lives.
2.Air quality, water drinking safety, food prices, and the gap between the rich and poor.
3.Corruption and soaring commodity and housing prices.
（英语点津 Celene 编辑）
About the broadcaster:
Bernice Chan is a foreign expert at China Daily Website. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Bernice has written for newspapers and magazines in Hong Kong and most recently worked as a broadcaster for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, producing current affairs shows and documentaries.
