Gov't work report well received among lawmakers

Lawmakers applauded the annual government work report delivered at the opening ceremony of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature.

NPC deputies listen to the government work report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing on March 6, 2018. [Photo by Xu Xun/China Pictorial]

The report, delivered by China's Premier Li Keqiang, will now be under deliberation and approved by deputies. It incorporates the country's economic and social development over the past five years as well as proposals for the government work in 2018, among which reform, innovation, rural revitalization, and people's well-being are top on the agenda.

"The term 'innovation' has been mentioned 53 times and the 'internet' 10 times at this year's government work report," said Lei Jun, an NPC deputy and founder of Xiaomi Technology, who was excited about the government's efforts to drive innovation and internet technology development.

He also applauded when the Premier vowed to build China into a leader in manufacturing by striving to meet the highest international standards in all products, encourage the spirit of workmanship, and ignite a revolution in the quality of Chinese-made goods. Lei said the Premier's words inspired him to work even harder on quality development.

Zhong Haiyan, an NPC deputy and head of Jingning She Autonomous County in Zhejiang province, said that she agrees with the central government's proposal on the rural revitalization strategy, and hopes the authorities can move more towards the regions inhabited with ethnic minority groups during the implementation process.

NPC deputy Qi Mei considers the report both objective and pragmatic and it will prove effective in the country's development. "Li's report covers almost everything concerning people's lives, ranging from housing, education and medical care, and is written in a down-to-earth manner that is easily accessible by the general public."

She is a researcher at the Capital Museum in Beijing, and proposed to introduce courses on traditional culture to curricula at schools, which are interest-oriented.

Dong Mingzhu, chairwoman and president of Gree Electric Appliance, said the report has fully taken the public opinion into consideration as it vows to lighten tax burdens on businesses, and reduce taxes on businesses and individuals by more than 800 billion yuan (US$126 billion).

She proposes to raise the individual income tax threshold to 10,000 yuan.

A total of 2,980 people from all around China were elected as deputies to the 13th National People's Congress.