Government work report predicts China's solid entry into new era

By Shafei Moiz Hali 

The annual sessions of China's top legislative and advisory bodies kicked off in early March. This year's sessions hold extra importance owing to the CPC's endeavors for realizing the Chinese dream for its people, and because China has officially entered into a new era under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics.

The Two Sessions comprise of sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC), and that of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which opened on March 5 and March 3, respectively. Ever since President Xi took office, the leadership of China has embarked upon a path of restructuring China to cope with the changing global environment, while implementing a sustainable economic growth model focusing on quality growth and shared prosperity with harmony. At the end of the first five years of President Xi in office, the results of his efforts have started to bear fruit with the entry of China into a new era. President Xi has time and again reiterated that these small successes are stepping stones for greater success and a lot more needs to be done. The NPC and CPPCC recognize this fact and that is why for China to successfully navigate through the new era, three key steps are required: firstly, the leadership needs to be strengthened; secondly, the Constitution needs strengthening; and thirdly, Supervisory Commissions are paramount to oil the cogs of the government apparatus at all levels and to rid the system of corruption.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivers a government work report at the opening meeting of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2018.[Photo: Xinhua]

At the opening session of the 13th National People's Congress, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Premier Li Keqiang presented the government work report in which he sketched the achievements made over the past five years and emphasized the targets for this year. He started with the presentation regarding the economic health of the country and the facts presented were encouraging. All vital signs of the world's second largest economy showed positive results; China's gross domestic product (GDP) has risen at an annual rate of more than 7%, more than 68 million people have been lifted out of poverty; personal income has increased by an annual average of 7.4 percent, outpacing economic growth and creating the world's largest middle-income group. More than 66 million new urban jobs have been added, and the country, with its population of over 1.3 billion, has achieved relatively full employment. The release of major pollutants has been consistently declining, and the number of days of heavy air pollution in key cities has fallen 50 percent.

Building upon the achievements, new targets have been set for 2018. There are numerous targets but three aspects were most stressed upon. "Neutralizing major risks" especially associated with the implementation of the supply side reforms and aggressively combating poverty as well as pollution. The rest of the targets include GDP growth of 6.5%, a practicable and steady increment of 3% in the consumer price index, the creation of 11 million new urban jobs, achievement and maintenance of parity between income growth and economic growth, targets for steady rises in both imports and exports while maintaining the BOP, A drop of at least 3 percent in energy consumption per unit of GDP, Utilitarian progress in supply-side structural reform, and methodical and effective prevention and control of risk.

The government work report also highlighted key plans of the government, which included the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The BRI is a road map for China's future as an open country as well as an endeavor to promote shared prosperity at the global level. Premier Li reiterated its significance and stated that "China is set to continue work on building major international corridors in cooperation with other countries."

Under the leadership of President Xi, a framework of policies has been set to promote technological innovations which will help China attain quality and sustainable economic growth. Premier Li during his address stated that this policy framework in support of innovations will be further strengthened. Within the government work report he announced the launch of a state financing guaranty fund for the innovation sector along with support provisions for leading innovative enterprises in their bid to go public. He also announced pilot preferential tax policies for venture capitalists and nationwide angel investment schemes.

Premier Li also talked about the country's armed forces and mentioned that the goal of reducing the armed forces by 300,000 troops has been successfully achieved. But he said, "more effective measures must be taken to support the reform and development of China's national defense and armed forces." According Xinhua, military spending is planned to be increased by 8.1 percent translating in to a defense budget in tune of 1.11 trillion yuan (175 billion US dollars).

The premier also mentioned that all aspects of governance are set to be improved as on March 11 the NPC deputies will vote on amendments to 21 items in China's Constitution and this marks China's entry into the new era. Steady constitutional amendments help steer the country through change, and these proposed amendments come after 14 years. The new amendments consist of the inclusion of the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the inclusion of a "united front" to promote national rejuvenation, "harmonious socialist relations among ethnic groups," "community with a shared future for humanity," and "core socialist values" to be included with civic virtues of love of the motherland, of the people, of labour, of science and of socialism. The amendments also propose the inclusion of an "Oath of allegiance" to the constitution to be taken by all officials assuming office. The proposed amendments include elevation of the office of President and Vice-President as equal in the terms as that of the National People's Congress. The proposed amendments also include "ecological advancement" as a new function and power of the State Council. It is also proposed that Chinese cities with subordinate districts would be granted the power to make local laws and regulations.

Ever since President Xi assumed the office of President he has been striving to curb corruption and streamline administrative problems and he has had major successes so far. And to further these successes, constitutional amendments are being proposed to set up Supervisory commissions. President Xi during a speech at the 7th plenary session of the CCDI in June 2017 said, "In a socialist country ruled by the communist party of China, all the power belongs to the people, and political power must not be distributed according to social status, wealth or connections." The People's Congress system of China derives its power from the people of China and thus, setting up of these supervisory commissions will give power to the people to keep a check on the government. Patrick Henry once stated, "The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government — lest it come to dominate our lives and interests."

(Dr. Shafei Moiz Hali studied at George Mason University, Virginia, USA and specialized in the field of International Commerce and Policy. He did his PhD from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China specializing in Chinese foreign policy focusing on the Belt and Road Initiative and energy issues. Currently Dr. Hali is working as an Assistant Professor with the Faculty of Contemporary Studies, National Defence University (NDU) Islamabad, Pakistan.)