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Representatives of the people throughout the country discussed
on the draft amendments to the Constitution submitted by the
Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) on
Tuesday.
The draft amendments, the fourth since the constitution was
promulgated in 1982 and proposed by the Central Committee of the
Communist Party of China (CPC), are expected to enshrine the
respect and protection of human rights, the protection of private
property lawfully acquired and the important thought of Three
Represents in the fundamental law.
This represents an ideological breakthrough by the CPC that is
leading the 1.3 billion people toward a well-off society along the
road of what is described as "socialist market economy".
This is the natural results of economic and social development
over the past 25 years as China's reform and opening up drive has
brought about enormous changes to economic, social and political
life.
Human rights, private property and "Three Represents" all embody
the "people first" principle and represent their fundamental
interests. The codification of these in the fundamental law
represents a shift away from the growth-focused strategy to a
comprehensive approach to development that features the protection
of human rights and private property lawfully acquired, guarantee
of social justice and an overall, harmonious and sustainable
development.
Described as a scientific concept of development, the "people
first" development strategy will enable China to proceed from the
fundamental interests of the people in doing everything and to
strike a balance in both urban and rural development, among
different regions, economic and social progress, man and nature,
and both internal and external development as is outlined by
Premier Wen Jiabao in his government work report to the ongoing
National People's Congress (NPC) session.
The same is true with "Three Represents", which spells out as
representing the most advanced productivity and culture and the
fundamental interests of overwhelming majority of Chinese
people.
This thought is reinforced by the codification of the respect
and protection of human rights and private property, which is
regarded as a concrete measure to implement it.
Right before the opening of this current session of the NPC, the
central leadership published a lengthy article to paraphrase the
scientific concept of development, an ideological advance following
the first three generations of leadership of the Party.
The inclusion of the new ideological progress in the fundamental
law has been applauded nationwide. It has further strengthened
trust of the people in the Party and the government and their hopes
of achieving the long-term goal of building a well-off society in
all aspects under the leadership of the Party.
(Xinhua News Agency March 10, 2004)
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