China blueprint highlights economy

By staff and wires

HONG KONG, China -- Dubbed the showcase of Chinese democracy, the 2,900-odd deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) meet in full session every March to discuss affairs of state, pass laws and endorse government policies.

A side-show, the annual meeting of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), is convened at the same time.

The focus of this year's 10-day legislative session, which begins Monday, will be the passage of the tenth five-year plan for economic and social development for the years 2001-2005.

The blueprint, to be presented by Premier Zhu Rongji, has attracted much attention from international businessmen because it will throw light on how the economy will integrate with global norms after the country's expected entry to the World Trade Organization later this year.

On Tuesday, Finance Minister Xiang Huaicheng will present the nation's budget. Other reports will be tabled by the heads of the court and the procuratorate.

No major personnel issues are on the agenda except for the replacement of deputies incriminated or removed through crimes, particularly corruption the past year.

Apart from economic and developmental issues, hot topics on the minds of the deputies and CPPCC members include the anti-corruption campaign and ways to combat the Falun Gong quasi-Buddhist sect.

Bigger budget

Army deputies to the NPC will likely use the opportunity to lobby for a bigger budget. They will underscore the danger of the Taiwan independence movement and the alleged threat posed to China by the anti-missile defense system to be deployed by the administration of American President George Bush.

There will be six international news conferences where ministers including Foreign Minster Tang Jiaxuan and Foreign Trade minister Shi Guangsheng will explain domestic and foreign policies.

The news events will culminate in Zhu's meet-the-press session at the end of the session. The premier is expected to use this opportunity to impress on the foreign media his commitment to a further stage of market reforms.

Like their NPC counterparts, CPPCC members from the provinces -- particularly areas in the less-developed heartland and western areas -- are likely to use the twin sessions as a platform to clamor for a bigger slice of the pie.

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