2018 CPPCC session sets path of socialist modernization for China

By Rabi Sankar Bosu

Following the Spring Festival, China has entered this year's pair of annual meetings, which refers to the first annual session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislative body, and the first session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the top political advisory body, starting on March 5 and 3 respectively. These two bodies have distinct but fundamental roles in China's political life.

The meetings together are called the "Two Sessions" and they have special significance this year. The meetings follow last October's 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), which set the main goals for 2020 and beyond, including the intervening years of socialist modernization leading to 2035 and 2050.

The first session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) opens at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 3, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua]

It is worth mentioning that the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is the most powerful political advisory body in the Chinese political system. The role of the CPPCC is three-fold: offer political consultation, participate in decision making, and provide democratic supervision - each with its own special meaning in the context of China's political system. The CPPCC carries out these three responsibilities reflecting broad sectors of society. However, it does not have any legislative power. More significantly, the CPPCC acts as a think tank for the government, the legislative and the judiciary.

The current CPPCC has 2,158 members, including people from entertainment, sports, science, business, non-Communist parties, and representatives of religions and ethnic minority groups. There are 56 ethnic groups in China represented in the CPPCC. The session arranges two conference speeches, 13 panel discussions, a syndicated groups meeting and three press conferences. The session is set to wrap up in the morning of March 15 with the resolution on the report of the work of the Standing Committee and the resolution on the CPPCC Charter amendments.

On March 3, 2018, the first session of the 13th CPPCC opened at the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square in Beijing with the aim to propel the country towards a "great modern socialist country."

Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the 12th CPPCC National Committee, delivered a work report to the political advisors who assembled to discuss major political, economic and social issues in the world's most populous nation and second largest economy. Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the opening meeting. President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and other Chinese leaders were present in the meeting.

The third plenum of the 19th CPC Central Committee approved the candidate list for the leadership of the National Committee of the CPPCC, which is to be recommended to the first session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee. As such, it can be said that the 13th CPPCC is crucial for the upcoming reshuffle of political advisers for the next five years under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with General Secretary Xi Jinping as its "core."

In his work report, reviewing the work of the CPPCC over the last five years, top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng said it had fulfilled its political role well and made significant contributions to China's development. The major areas that Yu highlighted in his report are: Economic growth, deepening of supply-side structural reform, Innovation-driven development, the reorganization of State-Owned Enterprises, ecological advancement, reform and opening up, International politics and responsibility, global economic governance, Belt & Road Initiative, eradicating poverty, curbing pollution, People's well-being and Strategy & Security. It is anticipated that all these issues will be finalized during the ongoing meeting of the CPPCC and will contribute to Xi's pledge to build a "beautiful China."

China's top political advisory body also expressed support for the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) at the opening of 13th CPPCC. The CPPCC delegates stressed that the Party's political building is the priority. " (The) greatest strength of the system... is the leadership of the CCP. The Party exercises overall leadership over all areas of endeavor in every part of the country," said Yu Zhengsheng. Without doubt, governing the Party with strict discipline is essential for the CPC's comprehensive leadership. As such it is anticipated that all Party members must maintain political integrity, supporting CPC leadership.

The eradication of poverty is one of the key goals for the year, part of efforts to help build a "moderately prosperous society in all respects." Rural poverty in China had been a serious problem for years, greatly influencing living conditions and depriving numerous citizens of basic goods. But China's systematic effort lifted more than 66 million people out of poverty in the past five years. Yu Zhengsheng said that alleviating poverty and curbing pollution are the advisory body's "main job" and accordingly, it will "strengthen key sectors and weak areas" to achieve the first centenary goal.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up. All along the CPPCC plays an irreplaceable role in deepening reform and opening up. CPPCC Annual Session Spokesman Wang Guoqing said the advisory body will continue to provide advice in support of deepening reform through its role as a platform for consultation and deliberation of political affairs. It is hoped that the political advisers will speed up the socialist modernization to improve people's lives.

According to the timetable of the 13th CPPCC National Committee, the political advisers will also discuss a draft revision to China's Constitution on March 7 and a draft law on supervision on March 13.

In summation, it is expected that members of the CPPCC National Committee will give strong emphasis on issues of public concern as food safety, property tax, the burden of homework on primary and middle school students, protection of minors and seniors, job opportunities for college graduates, skyrocketing housing prices, inequality between urban and rural areas, and living standards of rural villagers in order to secure a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, set by President Xi Jinping.

(Rabi Sankar Bosu, Secretary, New Horizon Radio Listeners' Club, based in West Bengal, India)