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The 5^th Plenary Session of the 10^th National People's Congress (第十届全国人民代表大会五次全体会议) was held from March 5 to March 15, 2007 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, in conjunction with the 2007 CPPCC. The event offers significant insight to China's domestic and foreign policy every year. Many items are listed on the agenda for the week-long session of the National People's Congress, an institution which has no real power but is in the early stages of a process of evolution from a rubber-stamp legislature to a think tank and arena of constructive debate. 2,937 delegates from every province, municipality, the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, along with representatives from the People's Liberation Army will be in attendance. The 2007 Session was chaired by Standing Committee Chairman Wu Bangguo, with the annual Government Report delivered by Premier Wen Jiabao. The 2007 also opens the precedent for foreign journalists to approach and interview any NPC members (nominally) without restriction. All proposals and resolutions from the session for the first time were fully translated into English. The President of the Peoples Republic of China (Simplified Chinese: 中华人民共和国主席; Pinyin: Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó ZhÇ”xí, or abbreviated Guójiā ZhÇ”xí 国家主席) is the head of state of the Peoples Republic of China. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... The Great Hall of the People, where the NPC convenes The National Peoples Congress (全国人民代表大会 in Pinyin: Quánguó Rénmín Dàibiǎo Dàhuì, literally Pan-Nation Congress of the Peoples Representatives), abbreviated PNCOTPR, is the highest... The Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress (NPCSC; Chinese: 全国人民代表大会常务委员会, pinyin: Quánguó Rénmín DàibiÇŽo Dàhuì Chángwù WÄ›iyuánhuì) is a committee of about 150 members of the National Peoples Congress (NPC) of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), which... The Premier ( Chinese: 总理 pinyin: zŏnglĭ), sometimes referred to as the Prime Minister, is the Chairman of the State Council of the Peoples Republic of China and head of Central Peoples Government. ... Wen Jiabao (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Wen Chia-pao) (born September 1942) is the Premier of the State Council of the Peoples Republic of China. ... The State Council (国务院, pinyin: Guówùyuàn), which is largely synonymous with the Central Peoples Government (中央人民政府), is the chief administrative authority of the Peoples Republic of China. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Central Military Commission (Chinese: 中央军事委员会 pinyin: Zhōngyāng Jūnshì Wěiyuánhuì ) refers to one of two bodies within the Peoples Republic of China. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Supreme Peoples Court (最高人民法院; pinyin: Zuìgāo Rénmín FÇŽyuàn) is the highest court in the judicial system of the Peoples Republic of China. ... Supreme Peoples Procuratorate (simplified Chinese: 最高人民检察院; pinyin: Zuìgāo Rénmín FÇŽyuàn Jiānchá Yùan) is the highest agency at the national level responsible for prosecution in the Peoples Republic of China. ... The Peoples Republic of China is in many regards a single-party state. ... The Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (中国人民政治协商会议 Pinyin: Zhongguo renmin zhengzhi xieshang huiyi), abbreviated CPPCC, is an advisory body in the Peoples Republic of China. ... The Communist Party of China (CPC) (official name, though almost universally known in English as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)) (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: Zhōngguó GòngchÇŽndÇŽng) is the ruling political party of the Peoples Republic of China, a position guaranteed by the countrys... The General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (Chinese: 中国共产党中央委员会总书记 pinyin: Zhōngguó GòngchÇŽndÇŽng Zhōngyāng WÄ›iyuánhuì ZÇ’ngshÅ«jì) is the highest ranking official within the Communist Party of China and heads the Secretariat of the Communist Party of China. ... The National Congress of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党全国代表大会 Pinyin: Zhōnguó GòngchÇŽndÇŽng Quánguó DàibiÇŽo Dàhuì) is a party congress that is held about once every five years. ... The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (Chinese: 中国共产党中央委员会; pinyin: Zhōngguó GòngchÇŽndÇŽng Zhōngyāng WÄ›iyuánhuì) is the highest authority within the Communist Party of China between Party Congresses. ... The Secretariat of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (Chinese: 中国共产党中央委员会书记处 pinyin: Zhōngguó GòngchÇŽndÇŽng Zhōngyāng WÄ›iyuánhuì ShÅ«jìchù) is the permanent bureaucracy of the Communist Party of China and forms a parallel structure to state organizations in the Peoples Republic... The Politburo of the Communist Party of China ( Chinese: 中国共产党中央政治局 pinyin: Zhōngguó Gòngchǎndǎng Zhōngyāng Zhèngzhìjú) is a group of 19 to 25 people who oversee the Communist Party... The Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (Chinese: 中国共产党中央政治局常务委员会 pinyin: Zhōngguó GòngchÇŽndÇŽng Zhōngyāng Zhèngzhìjú Chángwù WÄ›iyuánhuì) is a committee whose membership varies between 5 and 9 and includes the top leadership of the Communist Party of China. ... Elections in the Peoples Republic of China take two forms: elections for selected local government positions in selected rural villages, and elections by Communist Party peoples congresses for the national legislature: the National Peoples Congress (Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui). ... Due to Chinas large population and area, the political divisions of China have always consisted of several levels since ancient times. ... The foreign relations of the Peoples Republic of China draws upon traditions extending back to China in the Qing Dynasty and the Opium Wars, despite China having undergone many radical upheavals over the past two and a half centuries. ... Foreign aid to the Peoples Republic of China takes the form of both bilateral and multilateral official development assistance and official aid to individual recipients. ... Politics of Hong Kong takes place in a framework of a political system dominated by the Peoples Republic of China, an own legislature, the Chief Executive as the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. ... In accordance with Article 31 of the Constitution of the Peoples Republic of China, Macau has Special Administrative Region status, which provides constitutional guarantees for implementing the policy of one country, two systems and the constitutional basis for enacting the Basic Law of the Macau Special Administrative Region. ... Information on politics by country is available for every country, including both de jure and de facto independent states, inhabited dependent territories, as well as areas of special sovereignty. ... March 5 is the 64th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (65th in leap years). ... March 15 is the 74th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (75th in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... Great Hall of the People by day. ...   (Chinese:  ; Pinyin: BÄ›ijÄ«ng; IPA: ), a metropolis in northern China, is the capital of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). ... The Great Hall of the People, where the NPC convenes The National Peoples Congress (全国人民代表大会 in Pinyin: Quánguó Rénmín Dàibiǎo Dàhuì, literally Pan-Nation Congress of the Peoples Representatives), abbreviated PNCOTPR, is the highest... Special administrative region may be: Peoples Republic of China Special administrative regions, present-day administrative divisions (as of 2006) set up by the Peoples Republic of China to administer Hong Kong (since 1997) and Macau (since 1999) Republic of China Special administrative regions, also translated as special administrative... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Wu Bangguo Wu Bangguo (Traditional Chinese:吳邦國 , Simplified Chinese: 吴邦国, Hanyu Pinyin: Wú Bāngguó) (born July 1941) is a Chinese politician. ... Wen Jiabao (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Wen Chia-pao) (born September 1942) is the Premier of the State Council of the Peoples Republic of China. ...

Shanghai party chief Chen Liangyu has been suspended and therefore will did not participate in the NPC^[1]. In a surprise showing however, Vice-Premier Huang Ju, who was widely speculated in the Hong Kong media and western sources to have fallen under political disgrace, made an appearance at the opening ceremonies on March 5. Huang appeared ill^[2]. Official photo of Chen This is a Chinese name; the family name is Chen. ... Official Photo of Huang This is a Chinese name; the family name is Huang. ...

Government Report

Premier Wen Jiabao delivered the working Government Report from 2006, China's state of the nation address, and gave a policy outlook to 2007 during the opening session of China's NPC on the morning of March 5, 2007, Beijing Time. The speech lasted nearly two hours and fifteen minutes, and focused largely on populist issues such as health care and education, with an unprecedented tone addressing corruption, waste, and environmental concerns. Like previous years urban-rural and regional disparities was a common theme. Wen opened saying that this is the last year of the 10th National People's Congress, and thus the government's term will legally expire by March 2008. In his 2007 outlook he stressed various issues of general concern of late. Wen Jiabao (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Wen Chia-pao) (born September 1942) is the Premier of the State Council of the Peoples Republic of China. ... Health care or healthcare is the prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of mental and physical well-being through the services offered by the medical, nursing, and allied health professions. ...

On domestic policy, Wen focused on problematic issues such as real estate, which in recent years has emerged as an infamous sector for illegal dealings and lack of fairness. Wen guaranteed an increase in low-income housing benefits in the coming year, and vowed a serious crackdown on real estate crime.

Premier Wen went on to focus heavily on the Three Rural Issues of agriculture, the countryside, and farmers. This portion of the speech which took around fifteen minutes, and was echoed throughout the speech. He pledged government finances towards building rural infrastructure and funding towards the development of new technologies. Wen pledged a change in policy towards agricultural insurance, which is almost nonexistent in the current framework. On the topic of rural health care, Wen promised a two fold increase in funding, and vowed that over 80% of the Chinese rural population will receive basic health care guarantee in the year ahead. The Three Rural Issues, or San Nong (Simplified Chinese: 三农; Traditional Chinese: 三農; Hanyu Pinyin: ), refers to three issues relating to rural development in mainland China. ...

More prominent than any government report previously was environmental concerns. Wen said that the government will enforce strict environmental standards dictating new construction projects in the coming year. He reinforced the government's position on the protection of land, specifically pointing out that "mansions, golf courses, and lavish government buildings" are not appropriate uses for agricultural land, and cautioned local government and contractors that such things should be avoided. ^[3]

Wen briefly mentioned the balance being sought by the government between the primary, secondary, and tertiary industries. He stressed the importance of the continued development of the services sector, and the transformation in industry from being simply "large", to becoming "strong".

Another prominent topic of the speech focused on balancing regional disparities. In this area Wen mentioned education as a primary concern. He pledged that in 2007 the central government will completely rid rural children from all school fees (including allowances for books and extracurricular activities) from Kindergarten to Grade 9. Wen also mentioned a five-fold increase in the amount of funding being put towards vocational and post-secondary scholarships, focusing on rural areas. He cited the government's continued focus in training more teachers and educational professionals and increasing the quality of post-secondary education in China, and offered a vision stating "One day, let teachers become the most respected profession in society".

Wen also pointed out the government's readied stance towards public epidemics and a continued focus towards AIDS prevention. Wen briefly mentioned the government's continued support towards the development of traditional Chinese medicine and its important role in health care. He stressed upgraded and more effective urban health care, especially in central and western regions. This article is about the syndrome. ... Traditional Chinese medicine shop in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. ...

Like previous years, Wen mentioned the government's continued support of the One-child Policy, and government benefits for rural families who have difficulties because of the policy. He pledged that local governments and institutions should continue to focus on the teaching of the socialist disgrace and honours system coined by President Hu Jintao. He stressed the importance of so-called "cultural reforms", and said the government would continue building literacy and cultural institutions in rural areas. Wen talked about the government's plans to continue building basic sports facilities, and continue preparation work for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Shanghai's Expo 2010. Poster of Chinese birth control policy under the slogan Sweet Achievement. ... Slogans at Nanjing Railway Station, saying To Build up Socialist Concepts on Honours and Shames The Ba rong ba chi (Eight Honors and Eight Shames) (Simplified Chinese: 八荣八耻 Traditional Chinese: 八榮八恥 Pinyin: bā róng bā chĭ), officially the Core Value System or the Eight Honors and Disgraces, is a set of... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... (Redirected from 2008 Olympics) The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, will be held in Beijing in the Peoples Republic of China from August 8, 2008 to August 24, 2008, with the opening ceremony to take place at 8 PM on August 8... Expo 2010 logo Expo 2010 will be held in Shanghai, China and is a scheduled Worlds Fair in the grand tradition of international fairs and expositions. ...

In the area of social welfare, Wen pledged the continued evolution towards to an effective social insurance system. To tackle urban unemployment, Wen mentioned the "lowest barrier" where the government will step in and cover basic living costs of victims of job loss. Wen vowed a continued watch towards safety standards, especially in coal mines, and pledged a tough stance towards commercial scams and fake medicines. Wen also said the local and central governments will continue to be united against organized crime. For specific national programs, see Social Security (United States), National insurance (UK), Social Security (Sweden) Social security refers to a variety of government programs providing for social welfare and social protection and the alleviation of poverty among senior citizens and the disabled. ... Organized crime or criminal organizations are groups or operations run by criminals, most commonly for the purpose of generating a monetary profit. ...

Wen talked extensively about the solid government stance on continued economic reform. State-owned enterprises will continue their reforms and non-profitable and outdated SOE's will continued to be shut down or replaced by "non-public" institutions. Wen noted the danger of monopolies, and put forth a proposal for a new set of corporate taxation laws aimed at curbing widespread tax evasion and commercial irregularities. Public banking continue in their extension towards rural areas. The China Agricultural Bank will continue its reforms as a listed company. Wen noted that reforms in the insurance sector are to take place before it earns an appropriate place in the services sector. Economic reforms have triggered internal migrations within China. ... A state-owned enterprise (SOE) is an enterprise, often a corporation, owned by a government. ... In economics, a monopoly (from the Latin word monopolium - Greek language monos, one + polein, to sell) is defined as a persistent market situation where there is only one provider of a product or service. ...

Concerning international trade, Premier Wen focused on the attraction of foreign investment specifically to western and northeastern areas who have "just as much developmental potential" as the affluent coast.

In contrast to previous years Wen extensively outlined governmental flaws, and the urgent need to reform certain governing institutions. The ideas revolved around the premise of "governing for the people, with transparency from government and participation from the people". Wen acknowledged the serious nature and extent of corruption. The Commissions for Discipline Inspection as well as the masses, Wen said, should rally together in combating official corruption. Wen's vision was to make the governmental system "clean, effective, satisfactory, and transparent" in the coming years. He briefly touched on reforming governmental structure, but did not go into specifics. A clear emphasis was drawn from Wen's comments about governmental waste, which "as noted by our people has become a very severe problem". Wen vowed decreases in governmental spending, and warned staunchly against the lavish lifestyles of public officials^[4].

Military affairs were summed up by the slogan "strategic thinking". Wen pledged to continue building the military to modern standards. China will continue to adhere to the One Country, Two Systems policy and will not violate the high degree of autonomy in Hong Kong and Macau. Reminiscent of previous years the longest length of applause came when he declared that China will remain resolutely opposed to any form of Taiwan's declaration of "legal independence" ^[5]. Wen said Three Links and economic integration must continue, and welcomes dialogue from any Taiwan political party. One country, two systems (Simplified Chinese: 一国两制; Traditional Chinese: 一國兩制; pinyin: yì; guó liǎng zhì; Jyutping: jat1 gwok3 loeng5 zai3; Yale: yāt gwok leúhng jai), is an idea originally proposed by Deng Xiaoping, then Paramount Leader of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), for the unification of China. ... The Three Links or Three Linkages (Chinese: 三通; pinyin: sān tōng) are direct postal (通郵 tōng yóu), transportation (especially airline) (通航 tōng háng), and trade (通商 tōng shāng) links between Mainland China and Taiwan. ...

On foreign policy, Wen stated that China will continue in its role in the development of a peaceful and harmonious world.

The conclusion of the speech made mention of President Hu Jintao's new Scientific Development Perspectives and the goal of a Harmonious Society.

Significant events

A letter was sent from people who were victims of Mao's Anti-Rightist Movement to the Congress, asking for compensation^[6]. The Anti-Rightist Movement (反右派运动）) of the Peoples Republic of China in the 1950s and early 1960s consisted of a series of campaigns to purge alleged rightists within the Communist Party of China and abroad. ...

On March 8, the "private property law" was formally introduced at the NPC, making the legal provisions the first of its kind to protect private ownership in a country once dominated by ideological social egalitarianism^[7]. Vice-Chairman Wang Zhaoguo told the Congress that the law will "safeguard the fundamental interests of the people", and the law is an attempt at adapting to new "economic and social realities" in China. The bill is also aimed at curbing illegal land seizures in rural areas without proper compensation to farmers^[8]. The bill has caused quite a stir since it was first published in 2002, was subsequently deferred, and went through its eighth reading this year.^[9] This first piece of legislation in the People's Republic of China to cover an individual's right to own private assets was adopted on 16 March, the final day of the two-week session of parliament, with the backing of 99.1% of the 2,889 legislators attending. ^[10] March 8 is the 67th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (68th in leap years). ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... March 16 is the 75th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (76th in leap years). ...

Lawmakers also introduced a proposal to ban internet cafe usage to minors, a large number of whom are allegedly addicted. ^[11]. Cyberia: one of the worlds first internet cafés, London, 1994 An Internet café or cybercafé is a place where one can use a computer with Internet access for a fee, usually per hour or minute; sometimes one can have unmetered access with a pass for a day or... Youth spending seemingly endless hours leveling up lumber skills in RuneScape Computer addiction is an obsessive addiction to computer use. ...

Delegate Jian Deming put forth a proposal for a "dog tax", a deterrent for pet owners, apparently attempted at curbing an on-going spread of rabies. ^[12]

Media Response

• The Daily Telegraph called Wen's speech an "unusually populist" move which attacked corrupt officials and focused on health and education. ^[4]
• Bloomberg L.P.'s Andy Mukherjee commented that "Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's speech at this year's meeting of the country's largely symbolic legislature broke little new ground."^[13]
• China Daily, an English newspaper based in China, ran the headlines "Premier vows to support education". ^[14]

Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... This article deals with The Daily Telegraph in Britain, see The Daily Telegraph (Australia) for the Australian publication The Daily Telegraph is a British broadsheet newspaper founded in 1855. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_States. ... Bloomberg L.P. is a financial news service founded by Michael Bloomberg in 1981. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... It has been suggested that China Daily Hong Kong Edition be merged into this article or section. ...

See also

• History of the People's Republic of China (2002-present)

Main articles: History of China, History of the Peoples Republic of China. ... The 2006 Chinese National Peoples Congress, or more formally, the 4th Plenary Session of the 10th National Peoples Congress, is currently being held in Beijing, China, in conjunction with the 2006 CPPCC. Many things are listed on the agenda for the week-long session of Chinas parliament. ... The Great Hall of the People, where the NPC convenes The National Peoples Congress (全国人民代表大会 in Pinyin: Quánguó Rénmín Dàibiǎo Dàhuì, literally Pan-Nation Congress of the Peoples Representatives), abbreviated PNCOTPR, is the highest... March 2007 is the third month of that year and has just begun. ...

References

1. ^ Chen Liangyu not to attend NPC annual session
2. ^ Duowei: 黄菊行动慢半拍：胡温皆未上前打招呼
3. ^ Taipei Times: Chinese premier tees off against elitist golf courses
4. ^ ^{a b} Party's over, China tells its corrupt party chiefs
5. ^ CNN: Taiwan president ups independence talk
6. ^ BBC:反右运动受害者向人大发出公开信
7. ^ Guardian Unlimited: China Introduces Landmark Property Law
8. ^ BBC:China announces new property law
9. ^ New property law shakes up China, BBC, Thursday, 8 March 2007, 13:10 GMT.
10. ^ China passes new law on property, BBC, Friday, 16 March 2007, 02:51 GMT.
11. ^ Playfuls.com:China Enacts Internet Cafe Moratorium
12. ^ BBC: China lawmaker proposes dog tax
13. ^ [1]
14. ^ http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-03/05/content_820055_2.htm

External Links

• What do you want to be discussed at the 2007 NPC?
• Official website
• 2007 Two Sessions home page
• BBC Coverage of the 2007 NPC
• CCTV media coverage of the 2007 NPC