At the end of this year's two sessions, many deputies and members will be standing down from their roles. Here, four outgoing deputies to the National People's Congress and a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference reflect on their five-year terms as representatives, the proposals they have introduced and the differences they have made to people's lives.
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ZHU LIANGYU a deputy to the National People's Congress from Beijing |
When I was elected in 2013, I was the only NPC deputy representing more than 4.5 million security guards nationwide, so I told myself to speak and work for this group.
During my five years as a deputy, I have submitted more than 80 documents to the NPC, including two motions, and most of them earned replies from the central government and helped the security industry. That motivated me and brought a sense of achievement.
In 2014, I submitted a motion to add a new offense to the Criminal Law - that of attacking the police. Protecting those who protect us is important, so when the amended law was published later the same year, I was excited that my suggestion had been adopted.
I remember the day after my election: I was full of energy, and immediately started a three-month survey of more than 40 security companies in Beijing because I wanted to know what they needed most.
I conducted questionnaires, identifying where the workers came from and what jobs they had done before. Finally, I prepared an 8,000-word report.
Once, I went to the Beijing West Railway Station and found the place crowded and disorganized. Residents and employees of local companies complained about the mess, mainly caused by vagrants and street vendors.
I took a photo and sent it to the NPC. A few days later, the area had been cleaned up and many of the vendors and vagrants had left.
I felt proud of my report, but my son, who was then 11, said: "Dad, you were one of the people cleaned away before."
His words shocked me, and I had to concede that it was a thoughtless way of solving the problem. In 1993, when I first came to the capital from Heze, Shandong province, I didn't know where to go or how I would live. I saw many people being "cleaned away" - some of them were low-paid security guards.
Since then, I've thought twice about reporting issues, and always take advice before acting.
After talking with other deputies during the two sessions, I realized that the best way to improve the lives of security staff was not just to call for higher wages, but to use the law to regulate the industry and ensure my former colleagues are respected.
To implement these ideas, I suggested the government should provide more education and training for members of this group and revise the regulations on the management of the industry.
My years as a deputy have been a fruitful period of personal growth. I have got to know a large number of people. They trust me to do my best for them.
Even if I am not re-elected as a deputy next year, I will continue to work on behalf of security guards. I will continue to protect the city with the passion I had when I first joined the profession almost 25 years ago.
Zhu Liangyu spoke with Cao Yin.
