Special Report: NPC, CPPCC Annual Sessions 2007

    BEIJING, Mar. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- Reports on the annual sessions of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the top political advisory body, particularly reports on the Government Work report delivered by Premier Wen Jiabao, appeared in time in India's network media, radios and TV stations.

    While summarizing the work report, the Indian Information Network noted that the atmosphere of democracy is growing steadily during the annual sessions.

    "The democratic system with the Chinese style is becoming a new model for the democratic system in the world," the network says.

    The annual sessions have drawn attention of major global media organizations, including AP, AFP, Nouvelles D'europe and Lianhe Zaobao, which published articles and commentaries to praise China for its efforts to build a harmonious society.

    According to many Chinese netizens, close attention paid by overseas media to the annual sessions indicates in one way that China's international influence has been growing with each passing day.

    Democratic process fruitful during annual sessions

    The netizen by the name of "Qiangguo Zhiying" said, "China's democracy finds expression more fully in the sessions."

    In his view, the criteria for judging whether progress has been made in China's democracy are whether the legislative process is democratic, whether lawmakers solicit the opinions of the people all over the country, whether bills reflect the will of the people, whether bills are fully implemented, and whether the government operates under the supervision by the whole society.

    For instance, the NPC Standing Committee deliberated for seven times the draft Law on Property Rights and decided to submit it to the ongoing NPC session for deliberation.

    "This is really unprecedented in China's legislative history," the netizen said.

    The NPC Standing Committee attaches utmost importance to the legislative quality. In the course of examining the draft law, more than 10,000 suggestions were received and nearly 100 forums were held to solicit views the people from all walks of life.

    Submitting proposals on major political and social issues are considered a major form for the members of the CPPCC national Committee to perform their duties, the netizen said.

    Since its fourth plenary session held in March last year, the CPPCC National Committee has received a total of 5,158 proposals, 4,999 of which have been placed on file and handled.

    Considerate service, big difference

    The netizen by the name of Bao Qinglu from Hunan Province said that previously, to interview NPC deputies, foreign correspondents had to go through the press center or the media liaison officials of various delegations.

    He said, "But this year just click on the press center's digital map online, you will see the addresses of all delegations on the map."

    At the digital press center, journalists can directly make an inquiry into the session agenda, schedule and press conferences, open panel discussions, etc. It is the first time that the NPC has been so open to media since its founding five decades ago.

    Furthermore, the work report of the NPC Standing Committee was translated into English for the first time this year. Also available were the English versions of the explanations of the Draft Laws on Property Rights and the Corporate Income Tax Law.

    "These are but minor innovations made during this year's annual sessions," the netizen said. However they explicitly indicate new development and a great leap in the country's democratic process. Transparency, openness, and pragmatism will surely promote progress in China's democratic process.

    For the good of the people

    The netizen named Xi Huchenghe said, "China is a large country with a population of 1.3 billion, a weak economic foundation and undeveloped productive forces."

    It is, therefore, vital to pool the wisdom of all people so as to solve all kinds of problems China encounters in development. The political consultative system is a political system unique in China. The CPPCC, an organization involving the broadest patriotic united front, has been trying to carry out its work in the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the Chinese people.

    Known as the government's "think tank", the CPPCC committees have submitted a great many quality proposals on the improvement of the people's livelihood and help governments at all levels to make scientific and democratic decisions, with the strong support of the grassroots people in building a harmonious society.