Expert: China's two sessions stress improvement of people's lives

By:Xinhua
update:March 23,2018

BELGRADE, Mar. 23, 2018 -- All topics of the just-concluded annual two sessions of China are people-centered, with a focus on the improvement of people's living standards, said a Serbian expert in a recent interview with Xinhua.

Ivona Ladjevac, a senior researcher at the Institute of International Politics and Economics (IIPE) in Belgrade, told Xinhua that her first impression about this year's two sessions is the dynamic atmosphere of the meetings as China has amended its fundamental law to enshrine Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guiding principle for the country's rise.

As the head of IIPE's regional center "Belt and Road," Ladjevac has taken China as her research area for many years and closely observed the annual two sessions.

"All topics are deeply related with plans to conduct specific reforms that will improve the lives of the ordinary people, but also lead to better functioning of the state as a whole," she said.

The first sessions of the 13th National People's Congress and the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference were the first high-profile national political events held since the 19th Communist Party of China (CPC) National Congress last October, a landmark Party congress that revealed the roadmap for China's rejuvenation.

Ladjevac said both sessions fully implemented the spirit of last year's CPC National Congress and translated all goals into practical measures.

The expert noted that special attention was paid to the institutional reform of China's State Council. "The announced restructuring plan would be a continuation of decreasing state bodies that started in 1982."

Ladjevac said the change will help realize the plan of the government so that it can better serve the people.

She added that the government has taken steps to strengthen its role in economic management, market supervision, social management, public service, as well as ecological and environmental protection.

"Such changes are directed towards risk prevention, poverty relief, protecting the weak and vulnerable, and pollution control," said the expert, noting that such internal improvements will benefit China's rising role in international relations and enhance China's soft power.

Moreover, Ladjevac spoke highly of China's anti-corruption campaign.

"Since the 18th CPC National Congress, a primary focus is the fight against corruption," she said, adding that it is important to maintain the momentum of fighting corruption because it helps create a better living environment for the people.

As this year's two sessions closed Tuesday, Ladjevac said that the internal changes of China will cement its role as a significant player on the global stage.