Focus

Amid a volatile international environ-ment, the annual sessions of China’s top legislature and political advisory body were convened as scheduled in early March. In roughly a week, lawmakers deliberated and approved the government work report as well as a range of other reports and leg-islative items. Among them was the decision on amending the Organic Law of the Local People’s Congresses and Local People’s Governments.
Meanwhile, political advisers presented a raft of proposals related to all walks of life for discussion, trying to make their contribu-tions to the country’s overall progress. With the main projected targets set for development this year, including the GDP growth of around 5.5 percent, over 11 million new urban jobs, and a grain output of over 650 million metric tons, the country kicked off a new journey of development.
As the world is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges unseen in a century, China seeks stable progress amid all headwinds.
two Sessions lay out China’s Development targets
The fifth session of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) opens at the Great Hall of
the People in Beijing on March 5, 2022.
Several members of the
of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) are interviewed via video link ahead of the second ple-nary meeting of the fifth session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 7, 2022.
Journalists join an interview with Wang Zhigang, minister of science and technology, held via video link after the second plenary meeting of the fifth ses-sion of the 13th NPC in Beijing on
March 8, 2022.
The closing meeting of the fifth session of the 13th NPC is held at the Great Hall
of the People in Beijing on March 11, 2022.
Journalists film
outside the Great Hall
of the People before
the second plenary
meeting of the fifth
session of the 13th
NPC in Beijing on
March 8, 2022. Female NPC deputies
take a group photo in
front of the Great Hall
of the People for the
International Women’s
Day on March 8, 2022.
Xi Holds Virtual Summit with Leaders of France, Germany
Chinese President Xi Jinping had a virtual summit with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on March 8.Noting that China and the EU share much common understanding on promoting peace, seeking development, and advancing coopera-tion, Xi said that responsibilities must be shoul-dered to bring more stability and certainty to a turbulent and fluid world.Xi said it is important for the two sides to enhance dialogue, stay committed to coopera-tion, and promote steady and sustained progress in China-EU relations.China’s development will create broader space for China-EU cooperation, Xi said, add-ing that the two sides must, under the principle of mutual benefit and win-win results, further deepen green and digital partnerships as well as practical cooperation in various fields.Macron and Scholz indicated that the Euro-pean side values the important and positive role of China in global affairs and is willing to engage in close cooperation with China to jointly tackle climate change, public health, and other major global challenges.The leaders exchanged views on key issues of the current situation in Ukraine.France and Germany support reaching a settlement through negotiation and giving peace a chance, Macron and Scholz indicated.The two leaders said the two countries are ready to strengthen communication and coor-dination with China to promote talks for peace and prevent further escalation of the situation
that may worsen the humanitarian crisis.Xi stressed that the current situation in Ukraine is worrisome, and the Chinese side is deeply grieved by the outbreak of war again on the European continent.China maintains that the sovereignty and ter-ritorial integrity of all countries must be respect-ed, purposes and principles of the UN Charter be fully observed, legitimate security concerns of all countries be taken seriously, and all efforts that are conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis be supported, Xi stressed. The pressing task
at the moment is to prevent the tense situation from escalating or spiraling out of control, Xi noted.We need to call for maximum restraint to
prevent a massive humanitarian crisis, Xi said, adding that China has put forward a six-point initiative on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and stands ready to provide Ukraine with further humanitarian aid supplies.
We need to work together to reduce the nega-tive impact of the crisis, Xi said, adding that rel-evant sanctions will affect global finance, energy, transportation and stability of supply chains, and dampen the global economy that is already rav-aged by the pandemic. And this is in the interest of no one.We need to actively advocate a vision of com-mon, comprehensive, cooperative and sustain-able security, Xi said.
“The global Development Initia-tive (gDI) is another major initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping after the belt and road Initiative. It is another clarion call to mobilize global develop-ment cooperation and another endorsement of putting people front and center as a core con-cept of human rights. The initia-tive has drawn up a roadmap for narrowing the north-South gap and addressing development imbalances, and given a boost to the 2030 agenda. China will work with all countries to pursue and follow through on the gDI.”– State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi indicated at a press conference about China’s foreign policy and external relations
on March 7, 2022.
“China and europe are two ma-jor forces for world peace, two big markets for common devel-opment, and two great civiliza-tions for human progress. The China-europe relationship is not targeted at any third party, nor is it subjugated to or controlled by any third party. Dialogue and cooperation between the two sides on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit will add more stabilizing factors to
an unstable world.”– State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi indicated at a press conference about China’s foreign policy and external relations
on March 7, 2022.
“at the request of the ukrainian side,
the red Cross Society of China will provide a batch of humanitarian assistance to the ukrainian red Cross Society worth rMb five million consist-ing of food, daily necessities, and other supplies. The first shipment has left beijing on March 9 and will be delivered to the ukrainian red Cross Society in an appropriate manner as soon
as possible.”
– Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a regular press conference on
March 9, 2022.
“reports show that the u.S. has conducted large-scale and systemic cyberattacks on China for a long time. Such activities have gravely endan-gered the security of China’s critical infrastructure, personal data, intel-lectual property, trade secrets, and confidential business information, and seriously undermined China-u.S. mutual trust in cyberspace. China strongly urges the u.S. to stop cyber theft and attacks on China and the whole world, and join others to safeguard peace and security in cyberspace with a respon-sible attitude.”
– Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a regular press conference
on March 3, 2022.
Premier Li Keqiang Meets the Press
The fifth session of the 13th National People’s Congress held a press conference at the Great Hall of the People on March 11, 2022. Premier Li Keqiang met with Chinese and foreign reporters and answered their questions.
With respect to economic growth, Li indicated, “We face new downside pressures and challenges with much complexity and ris-ing uncertainty. With China’s GDP exceeding RMB100 trillion, a 5.5 percent increase would generate the amount of output equivalent to the size of a medium economy.” Hitting this goal is not easy and would need the support of a series of macro policies, Li noted.
Regarding further improvement of people’s lives, Li said, “We have managed to keep fiscal spending on education above four percent of GDP for 10 consecutive years.” He then added, “We will increase government funding to compulsory education in rural and remote areas.” In addition, Li emphasized that China has established the world’s largest medical insurance system covering some 1.4 billion people. China has also established a program of medical insurance for major illnesses, using
basic medical insurance funds for the purchase of commercial insurance for major illnesses. In some places this program has enabled reimbursement of RMB 300,000 to 500,000 for some illnesses. On average, some 70 percent of medical bills of rural and urban non-working residents can get reimbursed and the benefits will continue to rise
as the country’s capacity grows.
Senior Chinese Diplomat Meets U.S. National Security Advisor
Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on March 14 in Rome, capital of Italy.
The two sides agreed to jointly implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, increase understanding, manage differences, expand consensus, and strength-en cooperation so as to enable conditions for bringing China-U.S. relations back on the track of sound and steady development.
Stressing that the Taiwan question concerns China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Yang said in the three Sino-U.S. Joint Communiques, the U.S. side explicitly recognized that there is only one China and that the one-China principle is the premise for establishing diplomatic relations between China and the United States as well as the political foundation of their relations.
The current U.S. administration has pledged to adhere to the one-China policy and not support “Taiwan independence,” Yang Jiechi noted that certain actions of the U.S. are obviously inconsistent with its statements.
Yang also expounded on China’s solemn position on issues related to Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong, pointing out that these issues concern China’s core interests and are China’s internal affairs in which no foreign interference will be tolerated. Any attempt to use these issues to suppress China will fail, he said.
The two sides should learn from history, grasp the premise of mutual respect, hold the bottom line of peaceful coexistence and seize the key of win-win cooperation, he said.
Per Capita GDP Exceeds RMB 80,000
China’s 14th Five-Year Plan is off to a good start as the country keeps leading the world economically and improving its people’s well-being in the face of great changes in the world, according to the 2021 Statistical Communique on National Eco-nomic and Social Development released by the National Bureau
of Statistics.
According to the com-munique, in 2021, China’s economy reached RMB 114.4 trillion in size, with its per capita GDP exceed-ing RMB 80,000, making it the world’s second largest economy.
In 2021, the GDP of Lhasa, capital city of Tibet Autonomous Region, reached RMB 74.18 billion, an increase of 6.7 percent year-on-year. The city’s econo-my continued to recover steadily, with major economic indicators better
than expected.
More Support for Export Credit Insurance
China is stepping up support for export credit insurance to spur the stable growth of foreign trade, according to a circular released by the Ministry of Commerce and the China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation.
The circular urges that timely attention be given to difficul-ties facing small and medium-sized trade firms with targeted efforts to expand insurance coverage while cutting the costs. It details measures that can be taken to encourage the
growth of emerging foreign trade models such as cross-border e-commerce and overseas warehouses.
Chinese regulators will also help the whole industry chain make full use of domestic trade insurance to spur the coordi-nated development of domestic and foreign trade.
Meanwhile, financing for short-term insurance policies will be increased through the cooperation among governments, banks, and insurance companies.
China to Further Lower Transport Costs
The National Development and Reform Commission, together with the Ministry of Transport and a dozen other departments, issued a circular recently aiming to help promote the recovery of service industries hit hard by COVID-19.
It aims to reduce the operat-ing burden of enterprises by reducing or exempting the value-added tax on public transport services. Meanwhile, there will be continued subsidies for new energy bus purchases.
Financial institutions will be guided in ways to increase financing for transport enter-prises with high credit ratings or those who have shouldered epidemic prevention and control as well as emergency missions. Statistics show that over the past year, over RMB 100 billion of transport and logistics fees have been reduced by means of a package of policy measures nationwide.
The gDP of lhasa reached rMb
74.18
billion
132
China now has 132 comprehensive pilot zones for cross-border e-commerce. As a new form of in-ternational trade, cross-border e-commerce has shown strong vitality during recent years, with the pilot zones now a driving force in promoting high-quality trade development.
comprehensive pilot zones
¥
¥
White Paper
Highlights China’s Parasports Achievements
A white paper titled China’s
Parasports: Progress and the
Protection of Rights was released recently, detailing China’s efforts and progress in this area.
By carrying out parasports
activities across the country,
enriching the content of such
activities, improving sports ser-vices, and intensifying scientific
research and education, China
has encouraged the disabled to
become more active participants in rehabilitation and fitness-ori-ented activities. The participation rate in grassroots cultural and
sports activities for persons with
disabilities in China has seen a
Campaign Targets Abduction of
Women, Children
The Ministry of Public Secu-rity has launched a 10-month nationwide campaign to crack down on the abduction and traf-ficking of women and children. The campaign, which started on March 1 and will last until the end of the year, requires public security organs across the coun-try to collect evidence related to abduction and identify women and child vagrants and beggars, especially those with disabili-ties. The goal is to get a clear idea about the number and the situation of such people in each area.
Police officers will visit plac-es including orphanages and rescue management institutions with community workers and staff members of other agencies to comb through evidence of
Fugitive Hunting Continues into 2022
China has launched the 2022 manhunt operation to capture corrupt officials who fled over-seas and to recover their illicit assets.
The campaign, codenamed “Sky Net 2022,” is led by the of-fice in charge of fugitive repatri-ation and asset recovery under the central anti-corruption coordination group, and carried
out under coordinated efforts by
meteoric rise from 6.8 percent in 2015 to 23.9 percent in 2021.
The National Basic Public Ser-vice Standards for Mass Sports and other national policies and regulations stipulate that the fitness environment for persons with disabilities needs to be im-proved, and should ensure that they have access to public facili-ties free of charge or at reduced prices. Progress has been made in parasports education and research. China has incorporated parasports in special education, instructor training, physical education programs, and has accelerated the development of
parasports research institutions. As of 2021, more than 20 paras-ports projects were supported by the National Social Science Fund
of China.infringements of women’s and children’s rights and investigate suspected abductees.
A sound reporting mecha-nism will also be established and the public will be encour-aged to report on abductions. The public security organs should promptly collect DNA and other information from sus-pected abductees and people seeking lost relatives.
According to the ministry, the number of cases of abduc-tion and trafficking of women and children last year was down 88.3 percent compared to that of 2013.
several authorities: The National Supervisory Commission is in charge of duty-related crimes; the Ministry of Public Security will initiate targeted operations for hunting fugitive officials that fled overseas; the People’s Bank of China and the Ministry of Public Security will work together to prevent and crack down on illicit money transfers through off-shore entities and underground banks; and the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate will jointly launch campaigns for recovering ill-gotten wealth in-volving cases where the criminal suspect or defendant escapes or is dead.
In 2021, a total of 1,273 fugi-tives were brought back to China and over RMB 16.74 billion of illicit funds were recovered.
Sky Net 2022。