A crucial political event gathering Chinese national lawmakers and political advisors has showcased the country's "genuine and effective" democratic model, and stressed a slew of policy priorities including ethnic unity, food security and economic stability.
The annual sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), dubbed the "two sessions," are convened this year against the backdrop of a protracted COVID-19 pandemic and international uncertainties.
The fifth session of the 13th NPC has seen lawmakers consider a law amendment honing the people's congress system. It is also reviewing a government work report promising measures to stabilize the economy.
President Xi Jinping joined lawmakers and political advisors in deliberations and discussions, delivering important speeches that mapped out plans for strengthening ethnic unity, promoting the country's rural revitalization, and enhancing the rule of law in national defense and military building.
ETHNIC UNITY, FOOD SECURITY
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, joined a deliberation with fellow lawmakers from north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Saturday.
He hailed ethnic unity as the "lifeline" of Chinese people of all ethnic groups and stressed efforts to forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation.
Any work that can help forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation should be done in a thorough, meticulous and solid manner, he said.
Joining national political advisors in a joint group meeting on Sunday, Xi said that in promoting rural revitalization, the supply of major agricultural products, grain in particular, must be secured as the top priority.
"Despite China's industrialization, food supply should never be considered an insignificant issue, and we cannot rely solely on the international market to solve it," Xi said, warning against slacking off on the food security issue.
China should be well-prepared, remain vigilant on food security, and adhere to the principle of self-sufficiency based on domestic grain production, guaranteed production capacity, moderate food imports and technological support, he said.
