(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-03-11 07:20

We should ensure that all groups of people can voice their opinions at the annual political meeting, says an article on the website china.org.cn. The following is an excerpt:

Mu Qiru, a member of the National Committee of the CPPCC and the chairman of a large Beijing property company told the meeting that "nailed households" (those who refuse to move from their homes to make way for urban development) have also caused housing prices to rise and it is unfair to blame property developers as the main culprit for the price rises. Mu sparked public criticism for protecting the interests of her industry.

Earlier, Zhang Yin, one of the richest women in China and also member of the National Committee of the CPPCC, said the practice of life-long employment should be abolished.

In recent days, some members and deputies have become the focus of public criticism for protecting their own interests. It is important for us to correctly understand this issue.

One point is that the majority of proposals made by members and deputies are closely related to their daily life, some of them have supported the interests of certain groups. Three newly elected migrant worker deputies also have fought for the rights of millions of migrant workers at the meetings. But they are free from public criticism just because migrant workers have long been viewed as a disadvantaged group.

The annual sessions of the NPC and the CPPCC are an annual political gathering. This type of gathering should not force every participant to speak on behalf of collective interests. In fact, due to their different life and work experiences, a member or deputy cannot serve as an eligible spokesman for all groups.

A mature political mechanism ensures every party can fully exchange opinions. The fairness lies in whether these participants can fully represent the interests of their own industries and groups and help them voice their opinions.

We should not be afraid of people who speak on behalf of certain groups. What we should do is to ensure that every group has the chance to express their opinions.

(China Daily 03/11/2008 page9)