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China has seen a series of changes in politics, economy and society since the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) which was held in 2002. Listed below are the China News Service top ten events that have taken place in the last five years.

Defeating SARS scares

In the spring of 2003, the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) plagued several provinces and regions around China, including Beijing, Hong Kong and Guangdong. There was no effective treatment against the disease. In April, the decision-making body of the government and the CPC Central Committee called on the whole nation to face the crisis calmly and steadily and urged relevant organs to carry out practical measures to fight against the disease. Later on, a coordinating body, the National SARS Prevention and Control Headquarters, was established. In late June 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) dropped Beijing from its list of areas of "recent local transmission".

First manned space program

China successfully launched and retrieved Shenzhou V, the country's first manned spacecraft, in October 2003, thus becoming the third country in the world to conduct an independent manned space flight. From Oct.12 to Oct.17, 2005, the Shenzhou VI manned spacecraft completed a five-day flight with two astronauts on board. They performed space-based experiments, unveiling the second phase of China's "three-step strategy" in manned space program.

Implementation of new policy concerning homeless

In March 2003, the police in Guangzhou arrested Sun Zhigang, a 27-year-old graduate from Hubei Province. They charged him with vagrancy and imprisoned him for not having identification. Three days later, wardens beat him to death. The crime appalled the nation and the laws on the homeless were amended. In June, the State Council passed Measures for Assisting Vagrants and Beggars with No Means of Support in Cities (draft). The new regulation was implemented in August 2003.

Writing human rights protection into the Constitution

The second session of the 10th National People's Congress (NPC) approved the amendment of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China in March 2004. Human rights protection for the first time was written into the Constitution. According to the amendment, "the State respects and protects human rights." The new expression marked a stride in China's history of human rights protection and represented the countr's determination in respecting and guaranteeing human rights. The move was hailed worldwide and exerted influence on the cause of world human rights protection.

The meeting between heads of CPC and KMT

Related: Taiwan Party Leaders Visit

On April 29, 2005, the first official meeting in the last sixty years between the heads of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese Kuomingtang Party (KMT) was held in Beijing. During this historic meeting, Hu Jintao, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and the then KMT party chief Lien Chan discussed issues covering common interests across the Taiwan Straits. The two parties released a joint communiqué that agreed to enhance political trust, further economic and trade links, promote equal discussions and encourage communications between the two sides of the Straits.

Adoption of Anti-Secession Law

Related: Anti-Secession Law

The Anti-Secession Law was adopted at the third session of the 10th National People's Congress (NPC) on March 14, 2005. Signed and declared by President Hu Jintao, the law formulates a series of mainland's principles on Taiwan issues, demonstrates the mainland's utmost sincerity for peaceful reunification and its resolute opposition to "Taiwan independence".

Abolishment of agricultural tax

Related: 2,600-year-old Agricultural Tax Abolished

China put an end to the agricultural tax at the 19th meeting of the NPC Standing Committee in December 2005. The meeting approved to rescind the regulation on agricultural tax adopted in 1958. Issues concerning agriculture, rural areas, and farmers have been put in a prominent position of the overall economic development plan.

Qinghai-Tibet railway open to traffic

Related: Qinghai-Tibet Railway

The highest railway in the world, the Qinghai-Tibet railway, is about 1,956 kilometers long with the highest point being 5,072 meters above sea level. Various Western media have praised it as "the best example showing China's spirit of daring do". On July 1, 2006, the railway opened, thus facilitating social and economic development along the line, as well as enhancing the unity of various Chinese ethnic groups and consolidating national defense.

Punishment of Chen Liangyu

In September 2006 the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection started an investigation into Chen Liangyu for his alleged involvement in the Shanghai social security fund scandal. The former Shanghai Party chief was stripped of all his government posts and expelled from the Party this July. Chen is currently being held in jail pending prosecution.

Implementation of Property Law

The Property Law was approved at the fifth session of the 10th NPC Congress in March 2007 and put into effect on October 1, 2007. The landmark law gives equal protection to private property by stipulating that no units or individuals may infringe upon the property of the state, the collective and individuals.

(China.org.cn by Huang Shan, October 14, 2007)