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BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhuanet) -- The National People's Congress session has concluded and this year's political season has now wrapped up in Beijing.
Over the past year, we've investigated and handled 3,664 cases of corruption, bribery and embezzlement involving over 1 million RMB each. That's up 42 percent compared to the previous year. 28 corrupt officials of provincial and ministerial level and above have been handled according to the law. They include Zhou Yongkang, Xu Caihou and Jiang Jiemin.
The economy also dominated the agenda, as this year's Two Sessions came at a time when China is coping with a continuing economic slowdown.
Premier Li Keqiang set the target of GDP growth at its lowest for a quarter of a century.
"The target growth rate is approximately 7 percent, taking into consideration of what is needed and what is possible. This target is in line with our goal of building a moderately prosperous society, and is appropriate in terms of the need to grow our economy," said Premier Li.
But for many, the prospects are not all pessimistic. The government calls the lower growth rate the "new normal", and some foreign ambassadors observing the meetings had positive things to say.
"I think that the slowdown is by far exaggerated, and gives a wrong understanding of what is happening in China. I think that 7 percent growth that is more sustainable is much more attractive than 10 percent growth that is not sustainable. For us, Danish who believe there must be green economy and high standards of living, with blue sky like today, is much more attractive at 7 percent, which still is a very high growth rate," said Friis Arne Peterson, Danish Ambassador to China.
The biggest highlight this year is the country's unprecedented emphasis on the rule of law.
Among more than 500 motions raised by the NPC deputies, an overwhelming 90 percent were on legislation.
"This year is the beginning for China to comprehensively push ahead with rule of law, and having good laws to begin with is the core of the whole undertaking," said Han Deyun, a NPC deputy.
At the end of the NPC session, a groundbreaking legislation law has been passed with some major changes in defining the boundaries between government and citizens.
Under the legislation law, new laws to be passed in the future cannot increase citizens' liabilities or take away their rights without legal basis, and province-level governments must get NPC approval before raising taxes.
The bills passed today at the National People's Congress are legally binding. From corruption to reforms to economic policies, NPC deputies and CPPCC members have discussed and debated how China should cope with the mounting challenges ahead. Their votes in the heart of the capital have decided the country's next move and will impact the lives of hundreds of millions of people.
(Source: CNTV.cn)
