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Advisory body not rich men's club

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-02-02 07:49

A member of the Guangdong committee of Chinese people's political consultative conference (CPPCC) of Guangdong province recently proposed that businesspeople should not be made CPPCC members simply on the strength of their wealth. He is right because the advisory body should not be turned into rich men's clubs, says an article in Jinghua Times. Excerpts:

The recent proposal of a member of Guangdong committee of CPPCC deserves special attention. He said that the advisory body could choose wealthy businesspeople as members. But they should be chosen on the basis of their ability to perform political and social duties, not because of their wealth, for the CPPCC is not a club for the wealthy.

The Guangdong CPPCC member definitely expressed the view of many people. Just like any other person, the rich have the right to be CPPCC members.

But wealth should not be the only criterion for choosing them. As an important political institution, the CPPCC should comprise people who show concern toward national and social affairs, instead of being busy only making money.

Many entrepreneurs hope to become PPCC members, but if their sole claim to fame is wealth political consultative bodies will certainly lose the trust of the people.

Besides, many CPPCC members are simply individuals who have excelled in their respective fields and have no social commitments or show no interest in politics.

Many reports have revealed that sports and movie stars remain silent during CPPCC meetings, and some even refuse to attend them. This is detrimental to democracy and the public.

As an important organ of democracy in China, a CPPCC should be used more effectively to improve politics, instead of being turned into a club for the rich and famous.

(China Daily 02/02/2010 page9)