More than 2,000 members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee have arrived in Beijing for the advisory body's annual session, bringing voices from all walks of life.

"The greatest hope of workers at the grassroots is a smooth development of the national economy," said Liu Mingshan, who had been to coal mines in his investigations before coming to Beijing.

"While developing high-tech industries, efforts should be made to upgrade traditional industries with new technologies," he said.

He Zhukang, another CPPCC National Committee member, said China’s economic growth should change from speed to efficiency oriented, which is essential to the attainment of the country’s development goal.

The September 3 Society, a major non-Communist Party in China, has prepared 13 proposals on reform of scientific research institutions and government bodies at the county level, and development of the western regions, among others.

Development of the western regions is the hottest topic among members from the west.

"Western regions should further open their market and abolish monopoly to allow fair competition. It is especially important for government departments to change their functions and place greater emphasis on the provision of services for the public," said Wei Dawei from Yunnan Province in the southwest.

In a co-sponsored proposal, members Pan Guangtian and Zhang Yulin called on the government to create a better environment and equal opportunities for the development of the private sector.

Members Zhang Yuanzhen and Fan Yuhu from Jiangsu Province said they would co-sponsor a proposal on accelerating the development of China's own microelectronic industry.

"We will propose the construction of a microelectronic corridor linking Suzhou and Wuxi cities," they said.

(Xinhua 03/02/2001)