"Xi Jinping's Time at the Two Sessions"

Reported by Wang Chiyun, Chief Correspondent for *Asia News Weekly*, in Beijing Spring has quietly arrived, bringing with it a particularly fragrant breeze, and the spring “Two Sessions” are setting dreams free… From March 3 to March 15, 2017, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, colorful balloons hung high and colorful flags fluttered in the breeze; inside the Grand Hall, which seats 10,000 people, the lights shone brightly, the atmosphere was lively; on the solemn rostrum, the national emblem hung prominently at the center of the curtain, flanked by ten red flags on either side; in front of the rostrum, phalaenopsis orchids with green leaves and red stamens stood alongside azaleas in full bloom, filling the venue with a strong sense of spring.

On March 5, the Fifth Session of the 12th National People's Congress opened at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Pictured here are Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan, Zhang Gaoli, and others seated on the rostrum.

On March 3, the Fifth Session of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference opened at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Pictured here are Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan, Zhang Gaoli, and others seated on the rostrum.

These have been another extraordinary set of days, The magnificent Great Hall of the People in Beijing has welcomed thousands of delegates and committee members from all regions, levels of government, and walks of life across the country to the Fifth Session of the 12th National People’s Congress and the Fifth Session of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. Bearing the people’s trust, they have attended these grand gatherings to conscientiously fulfill the sacred duties conferred upon them by the Constitution and the law.

This is yet another extraordinary session of the “Two Sessions.” As the highest representatives of the will of the people nationwide—the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference—they will translate the grand goals set forth at the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China into concrete actions by the people of the entire nation, uphold the Scientific Outlook on Development, build a beautiful new homeland, and further sound the clarion call for the people of the entire nation as they embark on the great journey toward building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

This is yet another extraordinary round of reporting. As a journalist who has cut my teeth in mainland China’s media landscape—from traditional outlets like newspapers and television to emerging online media—and for whom covering provincial and municipal “Two Sessions” has become routine, I am honored to once again fly to Beijing to cover the National “Two Sessions” as a representative of the Hong Kong and Macau media—specifically, Hong Kong’s *Asia News Weekly*: Shouldering a heavy responsibility, I am filled with mixed emotions; brimming with passion, I’m letting my dreams take flight!

On March 5, the Fifth Session of the 12th National People's Congress opened at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council delivered the Government Work Report.

Work report word for word

Fierce applause represents public opinion

“Over the past year, China’s development has faced severe challenges posed by the convergence of numerous domestic and international contradictions and the interplay of various risks and hidden dangers. Under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, people of all ethnic groups across the country have risen to the challenge and forged ahead, driving sustained and healthy economic and social development. The Sixth Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Party formally affirmed General Secretary Xi Jinping’s core position, which reflects the fundamental interests of the Party and the people and holds extremely significant and far-reaching implications for ensuring the prosperity and long-term stability of the Party and the country. All regions and departments have continuously strengthened their political awareness, sense of the bigger picture, core consciousness, and commitment to aligning with the Party Central Committee. This has led to new and significant progress in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects; major strides have been made in comprehensively deepening reforms; the rule of law has been thoroughly implemented; and strict Party self-governance has been advanced in depth. The main economic and social development goals and tasks for the year were successfully accomplished, and the 13th Five-Year Plan got off to a good start. ‘ The resolute and forceful words of Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council were met with a long and sustained round of applause from the entire audience……

This applause reflects the high regard and full trust that the people of the entire nation have for this administration, and conveys the determination and confidence of more than 1.3 billion people to work together and forge ahead.

On March 5, the Fifth Session of the 12th National People's Congress opened at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

A Spring Surge Sweeps Across the Nation

Harmonious Entrepreneurship Yields Abundant Results

Although the *Government Work Report* is not very long, it is highly substantial. It covers topics ranging from continuing to innovate and strengthen macroeconomic regulation to keeping economic performance within a reasonable range; from focusing on the “Three Reductions, One Cut, and One Supplement” initiative to achieving some improvement in the supply structure; from vigorously deepening reform and opening up to further enhancing development vitality; from strengthening innovation-led development to the rapid growth of new drivers of growth; from promoting coordinated regional and urban-rural development to the accelerated formation of new growth poles and belts; from strengthening the construction of an ecological civilization to new progress in green development; from focusing on safeguarding and improving people’s livelihoods to enhancing the people’s sense of fulfillment; from advancing government development and governance innovation to maintaining social harmony and stability… Every word rang out with conviction, resonating deeply with the audience, who responded time and again with sustained, enthusiastic applause.

Over the past year, a spring tide of scientific development has surged across every corner of our motherland, and the entire nation has reaped abundant fruits from its harmonious efforts to build a better future! Since the Fourth Session of the 12th National People’s Congress and the Fourth Session of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee, the people of the entire nation have ridden the winds of reform and opening-up, set sail for the Chinese nation, devoted themselves wholeheartedly to construction, and focused single-mindedly on development. As a result, the economy and society have achieved sustained and coordinated development; the industrial structure has been gradually optimized; industrial competitiveness has been significantly enhanced; urban and rural infrastructure has gradually improved; breakthroughs have been achieved in the construction of new rural communities; the concepts of democracy and the rule of law have taken deeper root in people’s hearts; the nation’s economic development has entered the fast lane; social undertakings have made significant progress; social and political stability has been maintained; and, on the whole, the people’s standard of living has achieved a historic leap from mere subsistence to a moderately prosperous society. We have entered a new stage of comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society, and good news continues to pour in from across the land of China…

“—The economy has stabilized amid a slowdown and is showing signs of improvement. Gross domestic product reached 74.4 trillion yuan, growing by 6.7%, ranking among the world’s highest, with a contribution rate to global economic growth exceeding 30%. —Reform and opening-up were advanced in depth. Breakthrough progress was made in reforms in key areas and critical sectors, and supply-side structural reform began to yield results. New measures were introduced to expand opening-up; the ‘Belt and Road” initiative progressed rapidly; and a number of major projects and international industrial capacity cooperation initiatives were implemented. — People’s livelihoods continued to improve. Real per capita disposable income for residents nationwide grew by 6.3%. The rural poverty population decreased by 12.4 million, and more than 2.4 million people were relocated as part of poverty alleviation efforts. More than 6 million units of housing in shantytowns were renovated, and more than 3.8 million rural households with dilapidated housing were upgraded. Domestic tourism grew rapidly, outbound tourism exceeded 120 million trips, and the living standards of urban and rural residents have seen further improvement...” At this point, Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council was visibly moved.

On March 3, the Fifth Session of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference opened at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Learning from experience and facing up to problems

Examining responses and making recommendations

Integrity, diligence, pragmatism and efficiency are the administrative style and tireless pursuit of the current Government. Under the leadership of the Central Committee of the CPC, the present Government has led the people of the country in calmly responding to major events at home and abroad and in resolving all kinds of unfavorable factors; the national economy has been developing rapidly; reform and opening up have continued to deepen; the infrastructure has been improving day by day; the social undertakings have advanced in all aspects; and the social and political situation has remained stable. China has embarked on the bright path of a socialist market economy, and the people of the country have moved from subsistence to the threshold of moderately well-off, with the current Government practicing what it preached in a down-to-earth manner.

Its achievements are evident and have won the hearts of the people, while the resounding applause reflects public sentiment. This administration has led the people of the entire nation to a new level of development. In this new century and under new circumstances, there are still many challenges that require this administration to lead the nation’s more than 1.3 billion people in working together to overcome them: how to use reform-based approaches to further advance the “Three Reductions, One Cut, and One Supplement” initiative; how to make new progress in key areas and critical aspects such as supply-side structural reform; how to further unleash the potential of domestic demand; how to use innovation to drive the transformation and upgrading of the real economy; how to promote stable agricultural development and sustained income growth for farmers; how to proactively expand opening-up; how to intensify efforts to protect and manage the ecological environment; how to advance social development with a focus on safeguarding and improving people’s livelihoods; how to comprehensively strengthen the government’s own capacity; how to thoroughly implement the “Belt and Road” Initiative; how to deepen reforms to stabilize economic growth; how to carry out targeted poverty alleviation effectively to ensure the full realization of a moderately prosperous society by 2020…

Summarize the experience, face up to the problems, study the countermeasures and put forward suggestions. Premier Li Keqiang's report on the work of the Government ended in a tidal wave of applause from the delegates and members of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

On March 8, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, President of the People’s Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, participated in the deliberations of the Sichuan delegation at the Fifth Session of the 12th National People’s Congress. On the eve of International Women’s Day, Xi Jinping, on behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council, extended festive greetings and sincere blessings to the female delegates, female members of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and female staff members attending the Two Sessions, as well as to women of all ethnic groups and walks of life across the country. Here, Xi Jinping is seen having a cordial conversation with female delegates at the Sichuan delegation.

Looking to the Future, Let Your Dreams Take Flight

Together we can create a brilliant future.

In this spring of soaring dreams, the 2017 National Two Sessions are gathering the inspiring voices of delegates and committee members from across the country, pooling the surging spring tide that drives the comprehensive building of a moderately prosperous society, and rallying the mighty force needed to secure victory in this endeavor.

Speaking to the Sichuan delegation, Xi Jinping emphasized the need to deepen agricultural supply-side structural reform, resolutely win the battle against poverty, vigorously promote innovation and creativity, foster a clean and upright political environment, and coordinate efforts to stabilize economic growth, advance reform, adjust the economic structure, improve people’s livelihoods, and prevent risks.

Xi Jinping pointed out that attaching importance to agriculture and strengthening its foundation has always been key to consolidating the nation’s foundations and ensuring the people’s well-being. The development of China’s agriculture and rural areas has entered a new historical phase. The principal contradiction in agriculture has shifted from a shortage in total output to structural imbalances, with the primary aspect of this contradiction lying on the supply side. We must therefore deepen supply-side structural reform in agriculture, accelerate the cultivation of new drivers of agricultural and rural development, and open up a new chapter in the modernization of agriculture.

Xi Jinping pointed out that lifting all rural residents out of poverty under the current standards and removing all impoverished counties from the poverty list by 2020 is a solemn pledge made by our Party. As the fight against poverty progresses, the challenges will grow more difficult; therefore, we must further consolidate responsibilities, implement targeted measures, and carry out our work with meticulous care. We must continue to select and dispatch qualified cadres to work in villages, consolidate agricultural funds, and improve the methods of mobilization and assistance for poverty alleviation. The entire process—including who to support, who will provide support, how to provide support, and how to exit the poverty alleviation program—must be precise; some aspects will require the meticulous attention to detail of “embroidery.”

Xi Jinping pointed out that the political environment serves as an important yardstick for measuring the effectiveness of our Party governance. Fostering a clean and upright political environment is an ongoing task. In conjunction with implementing the spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, we must educate Party members and officials to strengthen their ideals and convictions, firmly establish the “Four Consciousnesses,” consciously maintain a high degree of alignment with the Party Central Committee in thought, politics, and action, resolutely uphold the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, strictly observe political discipline and rules, and unambiguously uphold the truth and correct errors.

In his Government Work Report, Li Keqiang pointed out that a mission is defined by a sense of responsibility, and that hard work forges greatness. We must unite even more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, work in unison, forge ahead with innovation, strive to fulfill this year’s economic and social development goals and tasks, and fight tirelessly to realize the grand goals of the “Two Centenary Goals,” build a prosperous, strong, democratic, civilized, and harmonious modern socialist country, and realize the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation!

Wang Dongming, Deputy to the National People’s Congress and Secretary of the Sichuan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China: We must firmly adhere to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, continue to maintain strategic resolve in focusing on development, persist in treating supply-side structural reform as the main focus of our economic work, and ensure steady and healthy economic development. We must devote significant effort to advancing comprehensive innovation and reform—the “top priority project” that will guide our province’s development during the 13th Five-Year Plan period. We will conscientiously implement the “Nine Lists” and focus on opening up the “three channels” of military-civilian integration, the integration of science and technology with the economy, and the integration of science and technology with finance, thereby driving Sichuan’s transformative development through comprehensive innovation and reform. We must mobilize the entire province’s resources to tackle the “top priority” of poverty alleviation, focusing on the goals of “no worries about food and clothing, and guaranteed access to education, healthcare, and housing” as well as the “Four Goods,” keeping this at the forefront of our minds and treating it as the paramount task to ensure the completion of our objectives; we must actively integrate into national strategies such as the “Belt and Road” Initiative and the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and vigorously enhance the level of our open economy. We must coordinate the balanced development of urban and rural areas and across regions; vigorously implement a development strategy supported by multiple growth poles; thoroughly implement the strategy of integrating urban and rural development through the synergy of industrialization and informatization; further promote the formation of a new pattern of competitive and leapfrog development; and accelerate the construction of a Beautiful Sichuan.

Yin Li, Deputy to the National People’s Congress, Deputy Secretary of the Sichuan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, and Governor of the Sichuan Provincial People’s Government: The Government Work Report emphasizes the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability and the central theme of supply-side structural reform; it highlights comprehensive innovation and reform as well as efforts to safeguard and improve people’s livelihoods, reflecting the distinctive characteristics of our times and a deep commitment to serving the people. The work objectives and tasks set forth in the report are inspiring, practical, specific, and highly targeted. We will conscientiously implement them in light of Sichuan’s actual circumstances, unswervingly advance supply-side structural reform, deepen comprehensive innovation and reform as well as opening-up and cooperation, promote green development to build a Beautiful Sichuan, implement the people-centered development philosophy, and effectively strengthen the government’s own capacity-building. We recommend that the central government further strengthen supporting policies for the construction of green ecological corridors along the Yangtze River Economic Belt and increase support for education in Sichuan’s ethnic and impoverished regions.

Oversight functions carried out in accordance with the law

The NPC and the CPPCC have been instrumental in the development of the NPC and the CPPCC

On March 15, the closing session of the Fifth Session of the 12th National People's Congress was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Zhang Dejiang presided over the closing session and delivered a speech.

[Zhang Dejiang] 2017 is a crucial year for the full implementation of the 13th Five-Year Plan and the completion of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. Doing a good job in the work of the National People’s Congress this year is of great significance. The overall requirements for the work of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress are as follows: Under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, we will fully implement the spirit of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Plenary Sessions of the 18th Central Committee; guided by Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Important Thought of the “Three Represents,” and the Scientific Outlook on Development; and thoroughly study and implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s series of important speeches and his new concepts, ideas, and strategies for state governance; adhere to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability; uphold the authority of the Constitution and laws; strengthen legislation in key areas; focus on improving the quality of legislation; exercise proper and effective oversight; support and ensure that deputies perform their duties in accordance with the law; successfully complete all tasks of the current National People’s Congress and its Standing Committee; and welcome the successful convening of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China with outstanding achievements.

On March 13, the closing session of the Fifth Session of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Yu Zhengsheng, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, presided over the closing session and delivered a speech.

[Yu Zhengsheng]: Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the CPC Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, has focused on advancing the “Five-Sphere Integrated Plan” and the “Four Comprehensives” strategic layout in a coordinated manner, as well as developing socialist democratic politics. It has attached great importance to the vital role of democratic oversight by the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and put forward a series of new ideas, perspectives, and requirements. The Sixth Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee made arrangements for supporting and ensuring that the CPPCC carries out democratic oversight in accordance with its charter, and the General Office of the CPC Central Committee issued the “Opinions on Strengthening and Improving the CPPCC’s Work of Democratic Oversight.” These measures provide fundamental guidelines for the CPPCC’s democratic oversight under the new circumstances. The CPPCC must conscientiously implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee, consciously subordinate itself to and serve the overall interests of the Party and the state, and earnestly advance democratic oversight—conducting oversight effectively and in good faith—to highlight the strengths and distinctive features of the system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, thereby better promoting the implementation of the CPC Central Committee’s major policies and guidelines.

Empathize with the changes

Passionate about the future

Wang Dongming, a deputy to the National People's Congress and Secretary of the Sichuan Provincial Party Committee, answered questions from Chinese and foreign journalists at the Sichuan delegation during the National “Two Sessions.”

Reflecting on Change with Deep Empathy, Looking to the Future with Passion! Delegates and committee members at the National “Two Sessions” have so much to say—Delegate Wang Dongming (Secretary of the Sichuan Provincial Party Committee), Delegate Yin Li (Governor of Sichuan Province), Delegate Luo Baoming (Secretary of the Hainan Provincial Party Committee), Delegate Liu Cigui (Governor of Hainan Province), Delegate Ma Xingrui (Governor of Guangdong Province), Delegate Tang Liangzhi (Secretary of the Chengdu Municipal Party Committee), Wang Fei, Yixi Dawa, Lin Shucheng, Luo Qi, Yang Jiande, and Wang Shuxiang—all stated: Premier Li Keqiang’s “Government Work Report” has a clear theme, highlights key priorities, offers incisive analysis, and is written in a straightforward style. It summarizes experiences, confronts problems head-on, explores solutions, and puts forward recommendations.

The “Government Work Report” is fact-based and inspiring. It provides an in-depth analysis of the current situation and tasks at hand, and outlines a grand blueprint for development in 2017 in a scientific, reasonable, and pragmatic manner. It embodies a spirit of keeping pace with the times and embracing innovation, as well as a strong desire to improve the well-being of the people. This will undoubtedly further unite the people and boost morale, inspiring the entire nation to stand as one, work in harmony, and pool their wisdom and strength to propel China to new heights and achieve even greater glory in this new round of major development!

Hou Xiaochun (right), Secretary of the Guang’an Municipal Party Committee in Sichuan Province—the birthplace of Deng Xiaoping—and a deputy to the National People’s Congress, was interviewed by Wang Chiyun, chief correspondent for *Asia News Weekly*, on the evening of March 9, 2017, at the Sichuan delegation during the National “Two Sessions.” Deputy to the National People’s Congress
 Photography by Kang Yongheng

Hou Xiaochun, Deputy to the National People’s Congress and Secretary of the Guang’an Municipal Party Committee in Sichuan Province: Of the five counties in Sichuan Province that were tasked with lifting themselves out of poverty last year, three were in Guang’an. In accordance with the province-wide general requirement to “set an example, establish benchmarks, and serve as a model,” the city’s three counties—the first to be removed from the poverty list—successfully passed the provincial acceptance assessment, achieving poverty alleviation to high standards. The city’s poverty incidence rate dropped to 3%, marking a successful first victory and earning the satisfaction of the Provincial Party Committee, the evaluation team, and the farmers who have been lifted out of poverty. These outstanding results were achieved thanks to the following factors:

Guang’an has a group of Party member leaders who are dedicated, possess professional skills, and are willing to take the lead in facing hardships; they have set an example and served as role models in the fight against poverty. In accordance with the Sichuan Provincial Party Committee’s “Five Ones” requirements for poverty alleviation, we have required personnel involved in poverty alleviation to firmly uphold the “Four Consciousnesses,” demonstrate loyalty, integrity, and a sense of responsibility in their daily work, and undergo professional training. We have refined and implemented specific assistance measures to provide targeted support to impoverished households. These efforts have improved relations between the Party and the people as well as between officials and the public, and have established a positive image for our cadres; To tangibly improve the production and living environments in impoverished villages, we have adopted an approach of linking villages into contiguous clusters. Based on scientific planning and layout, we have comprehensively upgraded infrastructure and industries in these villages. Treating each impoverished village as a single unit, we have vigorously implemented improvements to water supply, roads, kitchens, toilets, and livestock pens, and have extensively provided cultural and medical services. We have strived to create a clean and civilized living environment, using these improvements to guide impoverished residents in shifting their mindset from “I am being lifted out of poverty” to “I want to lift myself out of poverty”; we have deeply recognized that the ultimate goal and outcome of the poverty alleviation campaign is to promote sustained income growth for farmers and the rural collective economy, Through effective measures such as expanding employment channels, innovatively promoting land transfer, and leveraging financial innovation to aid poverty alleviation, we will genuinely enable impoverished households to prosper. We regard the growth of the village collective economy as a vital foundation for farmers“ sustained income growth, establish sustainable income channels, drive the growth of the village collective economy, and accelerate the pace of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and advancing agricultural modernization; We remain committed to making the people’s aspirations for a better life our guiding principle. We emphasize planning-led development, promote the use of new building materials, and build happy, beautiful new villages that evoke a sense of nostalgia. We guide the public in developing rural tourism, truly helping people living in poverty realize their aspirations to ”live in good homes, lead good lives, cultivate good habits, and foster a positive social atmosphere,” thereby ensuring the achievement of targeted poverty alleviation.

What Representatives and Members Think and Say

It will give rise to a vigorous spring

The atmosphere was lively as delegates and committee members to the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference reviewed the Government Work Report; they unanimously expressed their support for the report and offered suggestions based on practical circumstances.

During the 2017 National “Two Sessions” in March, Kang Yongheng, a deputy to the National People’s Congress and deputy director of the Working Committee for Caring for the Next Generation in Guang’an City, Sichuan Province—the birthplace of Deng Xiaoping—conducted online work on-site with the Sichuan delegation at the National “Two Sessions.”

Delegate Kang Yongheng proposed “continuing to advance reforms to transfer payments,” “increasing investment in high school education,” and “establishing a ‘poverty relief program for those who have fallen into poverty due to illness.’”

Representative Huang Guangwei proposed further optimizing the policy environment for financial support of agriculture, rural areas, and farmers, while simultaneously stepping up efforts to combat poverty through education and skills training.

Faye Wong, a member of the National People's Congress, proposed further strengthening efforts to protect the ecological environment of the upper reaches of the Jialing River and promoting the green rise of the Sichuan-Shaanxi Revolutionary Base Areas.

Representative Liu Yonghao proposed accelerating the establishment of a new type of government-business relationship and stepping up efforts to publicize and recognize outstanding entrepreneurs.

Delegate Yu Kaiyuan proposed vigorously promoting the development of cultural undertakings and the cultural industry to achieve the strategic goal of building a culturally strong province as soon as possible.

Yixi Dawa, a delegate, proposed further increasing basic living assistance for people in need and actively supporting the development of programs for the elderly and the elderly care services sector.

Delegate Zheng Xiaoxing proposed leveraging new technologies to vigorously develop the public cultural services sector in order to better meet the people’s spiritual and cultural needs.

Unity is strength. Zhang Endi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the China Zhi Gong Party, believes that at present, the “Four Consciousnesses” have gradually become a consensus. Only when the entire Party and the people of the entire nation stand united and work together can the Chinese Dream become a reality.

Both Member Wang Shuxiang and Member Guo Wajia Maoji noted that the tasks and objectives outlined in the Government Work Report are very specific, and the measures are very detailed. “Even the elimination of long-distance and roaming charges for mobile phones is included in the report, and all of these issues are closely related to the daily lives of ordinary people.”

“Whether in the summary of last year’s work or the plans for this year, the focus on people’s livelihoods is very prominent.” Committee Member Zhu Jiayuan saw a strong “signal” regarding people’s livelihoods in the report.

He Jiying, a member of the National Committee from the Liangshan Ethnic Autonomous Prefecture, is equally concerned about issues related to targeted poverty alleviation and poverty eradication. In response to the report’s mention of “poverty alleviation through education and healthcare,” He Jiying called for increased support for preschool education in ethnic regions and for the gradual inclusion of preschool education within the scope of compulsory education.

Ge Honglin, a deputy to the National People’s Congress, noted that the Government Work Report proposes to completely eliminate domestic long-distance and roaming charges for mobile phones within the year, significantly reduce Internet dedicated line access fees for small and medium-sized enterprises, and lower international long-distance call rates. Ge Honglin believes this decision is widely supported by the public and hopes it will be extended to the power grid. He suggested accelerating reforms to achieve a single nationwide Internet access rate as soon as possible.

There is a sincere government for the people, do pragmatic work, sweat sprinkled in the motherland, the achievements of the people's hearts forever. Some of the "two sessions" representatives and members, although only a few words, words and phrases but cohesion of the hot desire. Each of the "two sessions" representatives and members of what they think and say, are bound to give birth to a vibrant spring!

(Note: Unless otherwise credited, the photos in this article were provided by Xinhua News Agency or taken on site by Wang Chiyun, chief correspondent for *Asia News Weekly*.)