The report on the government's work of the past year won
applause from deputies attending the Second Session of the 10th
National People's Congress (NPC), which began in the Great Hall of
the People in Beijing Friday morning
At the opening ceremony, Premier Wen
Jiabao delivered his first government report since he took
office last March. Following the usual practice, he used many facts
and figures to review the work of the government in 2003, including
both achievements and existing problems, and suggested principal
domestic tasks for 2004.
NPC deputies from all sectors felt great changes under the new
leadership in 2003, such as the increased transparency of
government affairs, the improved public health system and the
extended rights of individuals.
Wang
Lequan, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central
Committee and the Party secretary of the CPC Xinjiang Committee,
hailed the central government's determination to solve existing
problems in rural areas.
The central government has decided to rescind the agricultural
tax within the next five years. “Beginning this year, the
agricultural tax rate will be reduced by more than one percentage
point per year on average,” the government report says.
“The elimination of the agricultural tax means that government
will lose about 100 billion yuan (US$12.1 billion) each year. It is
not easy for a country like China, where there are 900 million
farmers,” Wang noted.
He added that the decision, which will increase farmers' income
and boost the development of agriculture as well as rural areas,
shows the government's concern about this segment of the
population.
Grain production is another area of concern for Wang. In
Xinjiang, the output of wheat, the staple food for local people,
was only 1 billion kilograms, while consumption in recent years has
exceeded 1.3 billion kilograms. He said that adequate grain
production is also an important part of national security, as was
indicated in the government reports.
Ismail
Tiliwaldi, chairman of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,
expressed his appreciation for the central government's efforts to
reduce losses caused by natural disasters. On February 24, 2003, an
earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck Bachu County,
killing 268 and destroying more than 1,000 buildings.
He reported that a total of 580 million yuan (US$70.1 million)
from the central government, as well as donations from Xinjiang and
other provinces, was allocated to rebuilding the area.
“The reconstruction is almost finished now. New houses, schools
and hospitals were built to accommodate victims,” said the
governor.
Premier Wen Jiabao flew to Xinjiang to inspect rescue and
rebuilding work when he was elected to office last March.
“The earthquake was bad news at that time, but the
solidification of all groups in Xinjiang has been further enhanced
since then,” Tiliwaldi said.
He also praised the government's efforts concerning compulsory
education.
“With the support of the central government, the compulsory
education system was implemented effectively in more than 50
counties in south Xinjiang, benefiting 2 million people,” he
said.
Shohrat Zakir, mayor of Urumqi, said that the central government
has showed its determination to serve the people.
“We thought that the SARS outbreak might influence our economic
growth. However, our GDP growth last year reached 9.1 percent, far
exceeding expectations. The achievement is closely connected with
the central government's immediate measures to curb the spread of
SARS,” he declared.
Zakir was also pleased with the many new regulations implemented
last year concerning such areas as social security, public health
and education.
“The year 2003 was most beneficial for the common people,” Zakir
concluded.
(China.org.cn by staff reporter Tang Fuchun March 9, 2004)