Related: Chinese deputies, advisors voice concerns

NPC deputy Gao Zhiguo shows his two proposals of "controling the pollution in the Bohai Sea" and "developing oceanic economy," which have been concluded in the government work report. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhuanet) -- A more open and pragmatic image is what this year's annual sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) have impressed most the media and people at home and abroad.

    A Xinhuanet commentary said that people are delighted to find that the NPC deputies and CCPPC members are free to express their views on state affairs and people's livelihood and that quality proposals and bills have been submitted in large numbers.

    Luo Yifeng, a NPC deputy said, "Things are completely different from when I was elected a grassroots NPC deputy in 1981. In the past, when I made investigations at grass-roots units, the two questions I heard most often were 'Will this work?' and 'Is your proposal of any use? "

    He added that now things have changed completely. "Many people provided me with clues, information and suggestions of their own accord -- they have shown increasingly greater trust on the deputies," he said.

    During this year's annual sessions, the media have been giving full coverage and making in-depth interpretation of the proposals and bills submitted by the deputies and members.

    In the meantime, the general public have been actively involved in the sessions by making suggestions via various media organizations, especially websites. The distance between inside and outside the session venue is so short, and the atmosphere of participating in discussing state affairs is so strong that the concept of seeking common development and jointly building a harmonious society has been turned into concrete actions, thanks to the concerted efforts of all social sectors.

    The annual sessions serve as a grand gathering to discuss state affairs. NPC deputies and CPPCC members from all walks of life have been discussing national strategies concerning development and reforms on an equal footing with Chinese leaders and have conveyed people's concerns directly to them.

    As everyone can see, the commentary said, the speeches of deputies and members during this year's annual sessions are characterized by frankness and speaking their minds.

    When talking about successes, they are objective and moderate and never go in for exaggeration; when discussing problems, they always speak to the point and never cover them up. The equal atmosphere prevailing during the sessions has enabled some opinions reach the central leadership in its original version.

    For example, a popular verse criticizing the fraudulent practices of some officials at grass-roots units was told by a CPPCC member right in the presence Premier Wen Jiabao. The face-to-face account of such a verse undoubtedly demonstrates the atmosphere of pragmatism, harmony and equality during this year's annual sessions.

CCPPC member Hu Wei makes a proposal during a group discussion that the government should pay attention to the protection of the environment and local preople's interests when developing the western region, so as to realize sustainable development. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    The commentary noted that airing views by NPC deputies and CPPCC members is a process of democratic expression. During this year's sessions, large numbers of vital proposals and bills have been advanced in a democratic atmosphere.

    For example, six CPPCC members jointly called for effective measures to halt the over-exploration of hydropower resources; some deputies and members appealed for curbing the quest of administrative luxury by some local governments; some proposed cutting the root of corruption; others urged the formulation of the Treasury Bond Law and the introduction of a hearing system for the issue of such bonds; and still others called for efforts to step up the training of rural medical personnel.

    Outside the session venue the netizens have voluntarily offered their suggestions and views through the special online columns titled "I have questions to ask the premier" opened by Xinhuanet.com and other mainstream websites.

    So far, thousands of suggestions and questions have been put forward, and some web pages concerning the sessions have registered millions of hits. The concerns of the general public have converged on the online platform, and netizens' wisdom has drawn close attention via interaction.

    The democratic exchange of views and democratic discussions about state affairs are considered a specific embodiment of "the people serving as masters of their own country," the commentary said.

    Article 2 of General Principles of China's Constitution states that "all power in the People's Republic of China belongs to the people." "The people administer State affairs and manage economic and cultural undertakings and social affairs through various channels and in various ways in accordance with the provisions of law."

    The annual sessions serve as the political arena where NPC deputies and CPPCC members express people's concerns, will and wishes. In this way, consensus can be reached through the process of democratic centralism to make policy decisions that reflect the people's will, with a view to boosting the all-round and sustainable economic and social development.

    Jointly discussing state affairs in a democratic way will make China strong. The democratic and pragmatic annual sessions will certainly provide a stronger democratic and political guarantee for the building of a relatively prosperous society and enable China to perfect its socialist political civilization with Chinese characteristics.