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Star distraction at sessions
(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-03-09 07:50
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Star distraction at sessions
The unnecessary attention given to celebrity deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) and members of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) sessions is belittling the seriousness of the annual events, says an article in Changjiang Daily. Excerpts:
Former United States president Ronald Reagan and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger have proved that actors, can achieve political success. But for that they had to forget they were actors first.
Senior Chinese actors are welcome to be delegates to the NPC and CPPCC sessions. But most of today's celebrities do not measure up to their roles as NPC deputies and CPPCC members. Most of them mistake their presence at the sessions as representing the public, and thus betray their ignorance about democracy.
Moreover, their presence at the sessions turns even serious political journalists into entertainment writers. Many of the reports divert public attention from the main topics of discussion that are important to the sessions.
Few celebrities' proposals have any value or feasibility. The so-called stars are good only to pose for photographs on or near the steps of the Great Hall of the People.
True, every citizen, and that includes celebrities, has the right to participate in politics. But if their proposals cannot reflect the needs of their electorates or the people they represent, they not only waste valuable resources, but also belittle something as serious as the NPC and CPPCC sessions.
(China Daily 03/09/2010 page10)
