Sound Bites

(China Daily)
Updated: 2007-03-17 06:31

Although this is the last year of our term as people's representatives, we should not let our responsibilities slacken. This year's Government Work Report promised a lot in terms of funding for rural subsistence allowance, education and healthcare. When I get back home, my top priority is to implement these new policies, and let the allocation of public finance spread to the disenfranchised.

Zhang Xinshi

Party secretary of Suqian, Jiangsu Province, and NPC deputy

Now that rural income is higher, many people have a real feeling of happiness. But the outflow of large numbers of young people has created many problems because those that stay at home are mostly too young, too old, or women. When nobody repairs a broken pipe or paves the village road, it is a sign of lack of harmony. What I will do after this session is to increase the cohesion of villagers.

Mo Wenzhen

Party secretary of Shangxing Village, Tianyang County, Baise, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and NPC deputy

Officials should be evaluated by what the public cares about. That is how ordinary people can participate in sharing what growth has brought us. Starting from this year, Wuxi will use the income level of our residents as the main yardstick for the performance of public servants. And local officials will better understand where they should concentrate their efforts.

Yang Weize

Party secretary of Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, and NPC deputy

In rural elections, there is an unsettling trend of bribery. Some candidates buy off both those above them and those who vote for them. The reason is financial gain. An entrepreneur, after gaining power, may win more business. Clans want their own people in the right position so that they can seek profits for the clan. When a village is urbanized, there is a lot of money about and a grass-roots official could easily fill his pockets. This violates the principles of democracy and should be a cause for concern.

Lan Zhilong

Lishui Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Zhejiang Province, and CPPCC National Committee member

The new social class is the product of reform and market pluralism. It represents a new force and should be respected as such. The growth of this class reflects China's economic structure and social progress. For example, China has fewer than 200,000 private technology businesses, but they account for 30 percent of technology resources and 70 percent of the achievements. And non-State-owned enterprises account for 65 percent of our economy and most of the country's employment. The passing of new laws such as the protection of private property would not have been possible without this class.

Bao Yujun

Vice-president of all-China Society of Private Economy Research and CPPCC National Committee member

(China Daily 03/17/2007 page3)