China’s top political advisor vows to safeguard interests of overseas Chinese
Updated 10:57, 28-Jun-2018
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Yu Zhengsheng, Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, pledged to safeguard “the legitimate rights and interests of overseas Chinese” when delivering a work report of the CPPCC National Committee's Standing Committee in Beijing on Friday, as China's top political advisory body started its annual session.
Xi Jinping (L3), Li Keqiang (R3), Zhang Dejiang (L2), Liu Yunshan (R2), Wang Qishan (L1) and Zhang Gaoli (R1) attend the opening meeting of the fifth session of the 12th CPPCC National Committee in Beijing on March 3, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Xi Jinping (L3), Li Keqiang (R3), Zhang Dejiang (L2), Liu Yunshan (R2), Wang Qishan (L1) and Zhang Gaoli (R1) attend the opening meeting of the fifth session of the 12th CPPCC National Committee in Beijing on March 3, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Addressing more than 2,000 political advisors, Yu said the CPPCC will “increase ties with overseas Chinese,” while safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests.
The CPPCC will implement major policies of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Taiwan and “uphold the 1992 Consensus as the shared political foundation across the Straits,” he added.
Cross-Strait communications have been hampered by current Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen's refusal to recognize the 1992 Consensus, which affirms the one-China principle.
Yu stressed that the CPPCC will “resolutely oppose any separatist activities for the independence of Taiwan in any form.”
Yu Zhengsheng, Chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC, delivers a report on the work of the CPPCC National Committee's Standing Committee at the fifth session of the 12th CPPCC National Committee in Beijing on March 3, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Yu Zhengsheng, Chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC, delivers a report on the work of the CPPCC National Committee's Standing Committee at the fifth session of the 12th CPPCC National Committee in Beijing on March 3, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Yu also reiterated the CPPCC’s commitment to implementing the principle of “one country, two systems” in Hong Kong, which will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its return to China later this year.
He said the CPPCC will continue to promote high-level exchange visits with foreign counterparts, in accordance with the overall plan for China’s diplomatic work.
“We will offer suggestions on improving and strengthening China’s medical assistance efforts in Africa, on strengthening the cultural foundation for joint efforts to build the Belt and Road Initiative, and on promoting deeper mutual opening up at a higher level,” Yu said.
Members of the 12th CPPCC National Committee sing the national anthem of China during the opening meeting of the fifth session of the 12th CPPCC National Committee in Beijing on March 3, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Members of the 12th CPPCC National Committee sing the national anthem of China during the opening meeting of the fifth session of the 12th CPPCC National Committee in Beijing on March 3, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Top CPC and state leaders Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli attended the opening meeting of the fifth session of the 12th National Committee of the CPPCC, which ushered in a political high season that will continue with the opening meeting of the country's top legislature on Sunday.

Poverty alleviation

Yu noted that the advisory body's political consultations were made more fruitful over the last year, particularly in alleviating poverty.
“We encouraged and supported National Committee members as they assisted counties and families struggling with poverty through pairing programs, and participated in the ‘ten thousand businesses helping ten thousand villages’ initiative,” the chairman said.
“We provided financial aid to students in need, and promoted the use of a combination of poverty alleviation efforts, such as developing local industries, creating employment opportunities, improving medical services, and granting subsidies for the conservation of ecosystems, in order to form a synergy to combat poverty,” Yu added.

Economic development

After a review of last year’s work, Yu announced major tasks for 2017, one of which is to keep political consultations focused on promoting steady and sound economic development.
“To adapt to, understand, and guide the new normal in economic development, we will hold a special meeting of the Standing Committee on deepening supply-side structural reform and promoting steady and sound economic development, and a consultative meeting on developing a cordial and clear new relationship between government and business, and on promoting the sound development of the private sector,” said Yu.
The fifth session of the 12th CPPCC National Committee opens at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 3, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

The fifth session of the 12th CPPCC National Committee opens at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 3, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

“We will conduct research and provide suggestions on revitalizing the real economy and promoting its transformation and upgrading; promoting supply-side structural reform in the agriculture sector; improving systems for regulating the real estate market; strengthening oversight over e-commerce, reforming the system for assessing scientific and technological achievements, and managing grain distribution,” he added.

Consultative democracy

Yu stressed the importance of strengthening and improving CPPCC democratic oversight, saying the CPPCC needs to conscientiously carry out the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee, be self-motivated to serve the overall interests of the Party and the country, and make steady progress in exercising effective democratic oversight so as to demonstrate the strengths and characteristics of the system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation that exists under the leadership of the CPC, as well as better facilitating the implementation of the CPC Central Committee’s decisions.
The fifth session of the 12th CPPCC National Committee opens at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 3, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

The fifth session of the 12th CPPCC National Committee opens at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 3, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Yu said the CPPCC is not a body of state power. Its oversight work does not rely on a mandatory or binding force, but on political influence.
He pointed out that consultative oversight possesses distinct characteristics and strengths – consultation is its underlying principle and oversight is its means and ways. Its purpose is to help the CPC and the government to resolve problems.
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