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Stick to practical proposals

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-03-08 07:47

An article in Guangzhou Daily appeals to National People's Congress (NPC) deputies and Chinese People's Political and Consultative Conference (CPPCC) members to draft their proposals after proper studies on grassroots people, not wishful thinking. Excerpts:

It was good to learn at the CPPCC press conference that one-third of its members' proposals last year were about people's livelihoods. But what matters is not the number but the quality of the proposals.

Many impractical proposals are presented at the CPPCC and NPC sessions every year. This year is no exception. After a woman delegate from Sichuan province suggested that wives be paid by their husbands for doing housework, it has become all the important for NPC deputies and CPPCC members to come up with practical proposals.

Representative democracy has a close connection between the delegates to the two sessions and the public. It seems ironic that the central leadership takes the trouble to invite the delegates to the two sessions if they cannot come up with suggestions to improve the lives of the people - especially when online forums have been highlighting many public problems. The best way for the delegates to prepare proposals would be to interact with the public learn about their problems and chalk out a plan to solve them. The two sessions offer a valuable chance for the central government to consider quality proposals. Acting as a bridge between the government and the electorate, the delegates should use them to present perceptive ideas to improve the lot of the people.

GDP no cause for arrogance

The world may be eager to understand the real China, but it is important that first we should know we are, says an article in China Youth Daily. Excerpts:

A Chinese Academy of Social Sciences report, comparing the GDP of some provinces with G20 member states', has prompted many people to celebrate. The news that China has overtaken Germany as the largest exporter and would replace Japan as the second largest economy has inflated our balloon of arrogance.

China's economic growth indeed has drawn the attention of the international community. But China's ignominious modern history has taught it to be a follower, not a leader. And when a follower becomes arrogant, it's almost impossible for it to develop into a true leader.

That's why we have to understand ourselves first. In this regard, Chinese people need to seek inspiration from their profound historical philosophy, an adept understanding of the co-existence of happiness and sorrow.

Trumpeting the success of our economic growth while being blind to the many problems obstructing healthy developments is an example of shortsightedness. A mature society's attitude toward achievements should be based on all-round and systematic economic development.

(China Daily 03/08/2010 page9)