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China vows to improve social safety net
STABILITY:
New laws will aim to bridge the gap between rich and poor, as well as urban and rural development, but will not allow an opening up of the political system
AP
, BEIJING
Wednesday, Mar 10, 2010, Page 4
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National People’s Congress Chairman Wu Bangguo delivers his annual work report to the congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing yesterday.
PHOTO: AFP
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China’s top lawmaker said yesterday that legislative priorities this year would be to improve social security and promote more equitable economic development, but he rejected calls to open up the political system.
Uneven economic growth, skyrocketing home prices, limited and expensive medical care and sparse pension plans have raised huge concerns about social stability and provoked widespread discontent.
“China is in an important period of strategic opportunities for its economic and social development as well as a period of serious social problems,” said Wu Bangguo (吳邦國), chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.
He said this presented “arduous and formidable” tasks in promoting reform, development and stability.
Delegates would put the final touches on a draft social security law and make adjustments to the legal system to “dispel the people’s worries and better maintain social harmony and stability,” Wu said in his address at the Great Hall of the People.
The law broadly aims to establish a safety net of pension, health care and unemployment benefits, provide free primary and secondary education, and assist the migration of rural residents to cities.
Wu gave no details of the law, but the changes are believed to include more support for lower-income Chinese.
Despite some calls for reforms to strengthen the congress’ powers, Wu indicated there would be no move toward a more open system.
The congress has “reached a thorough understanding of the essential differences between our country’s system of People’s Congresses and Western capitalist countries’ systems of political power,” he said.
Wu also said the congress would focus on fighting climate change and improving the functions of the government.
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