NPC deputy: No need for China to compare with the West

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China approved a Constitutional amendment by an overwhelming margin after nearly 3,000 lawmakers cast their secret ballots on Sunday. Most deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) say they are confident the new Constitution will bring about better development for the country.

"As a grassroots environment protection worker, I'm glad to see that the new Constitution included the term 'environmentalism'. It's a sign the country will pay more attention to this field," Liu Huaiping, a NPC deputy told CGTN after coming out from the vote.

Liu Huaiping is a deputy to the first session of the 13th NPC. /CGTN Photo

"The newly amended Constitution provides the necessary conditions for the long-term stability of our country," Chen Yan, the mayor of Guiyang in southwest China's Guizhou Province, told CGTN.

Chen Yan is the mayor of Guiyang in southwest China's Guizhou Province. /CGTN Photo

At a press briefing following the vote, a number of questions focused on the removal of the two-term limit for the presidency.

Currently, China does not impose term limits on the General Secretary of Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee or Military Commission Chairman. Officials say it's necessary to have those posts served by one official at one time.

"It's a decision that comes after decades of exploration by the ruling Communist Party. If you look at the past two decades, having the three posts served by one person is not only effective, but also crucial, for the country's long-term stability, and an orderly power transition," Shen Chunyao, chairman of Legal Affairs Commission of NPC Standing Committee, said.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) proposed the amendment package last month. Lawmakers from across the country deliberated for nearly a week before casting their secret ballots on Sunday.

A total of 2,958 NPC deputies voted in favor of the revisions, two went against it and three absented. One vote was deemed invalid.

A deputy to the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) casts her ballot on a draft amendment to the country's Constitution at the third plenary meeting of the first session of the 13th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

In a panel discussion, Shanghai's Party Secretary Li Qiang said China doesn't have to keep comparing itself to the Western way of governance.

"China has been exploring its own path of development, which has proved to be successful. The country rose from a poorly industrialized country to the world's second-largest economy in just a few decades, largely because of the unique advantages of our political system. We are confident that the new Constitution will help deliver an even better future," Li said.

Among the 21 changes in the Constitution, 11 of them are focused on one issue: Building a supervisory body.

Since President Xi Jinping took office in 2013, a nationwide anti-corruption campaign has been underway.

The spokesperson for the amendments' drafting team Zhu Shuna said establishing a supervisory commission is a step closer to making the anti-corruption fight more institutionalized.

Following the approval of the Constitutional amendment, legislators will cast their vote on China's supervision law later this month.