The draft outline of the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020)
on national economy and social development was
presented on Saturday to the Fourth Session of the 12th
National People's Congress for review.
Following are the goals and missions set in the draft
outline for the years between 2016 and 2020.
GROWTH
-- Keep medium-high growth to double China's GDP
and per capita income by 2020 from the 2010 level.
-- Promote innovative, coordinated, green, open, and
shared development.
INNOVATION-DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT
-- Make breakthroughs in core technologies including
information communication, new energy, new materials,
aviation, biological medicine and intelligent
manufacturing.
-- Advance scientific research on universe evolution,
material structure, origin of life, as well as brain and
cognition.
-- Vigorously initiate international major science
projects.
-- Ease the criteria for foreign talents' applying for
permanent residence.
-- Improve the quality and efficiency of supply and
stimulate real demand to strengthen new growth
momentum.
-- Foster new competitive advantages of foreign trade by
exporting more high-end equipment and cutting-edge
products with high added value.
MODERN INDUSTRIES
-- Further implement "Made in China 2025" strategy
and focus on manufacturing innovation and the
integration of information and manufacturing
technologies.
-- Support strategic emerging sector and improve its
share in GDP to 15 percent.
-- Boost information technology, new energy vehicles,
biological technology and low-carbon industries, as well
as high-end equipment and materials.
-- Nurture the growth of high-tech sectors involving
semiconductors, robots and intelligent systems.
INTERNET
-- Speed up building a new generation of information
infrastructure.
-- Advance 5G telecom technology and
comprehensively upgrade to IPv6.
-- Implement "Internet Plus" and promote Internet
technologies to revolutionize production and organization
modes.
-- Promote big data strategy to facilitate industrial
upgrade and social governance innovation.
-- Push forward the establishment of a multilateral,
democratic and transparent international Internet
governance system.
ENERGY REVOLUTION
-- Deepen energy revolution by establishing a modern
energy system that is clean, low-carbon and efficient.
-- Build a coordinated and integrated energy network.
URBANIZATION
-- Accelerate urbanizing rural migrants.
-- Build world-class city clusters in Beijing-Tianjin-
Hebei region, Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River
Delta.
MARITIME POWER
-- Strengthen maritime law enforcement, safeguard
maritime interests and maintain free navigation and
maritime passage safety at seawaters under China's
jurisdiction.
-- Improve sea-related dialogue and cooperation
mechanisms with neighboring countries and boost
pragmatic maritime cooperation.
ENVIRONMENT
-- Keep annual energy consumption within five billion
tonnes of standard coal.
-- Implement the strictest environmental protection
system by gathering efforts from government, enterprises
and the public to realize environmental improvement.
-- Control carbon emissions, honor climate commitments
and deeply participate into global climate governance.
OPENING UP
-- Expand international production capacity cooperation
in sectors including steel, railway, telecommunications,
machinery and aviation.
-- Increase service trade's share in total foreign trade to
16 percent.
-- Relax restrictions in service sector for foreign capital,
widen market access in banking and securities, encourage
foreign investment to flow into advanced manufacturing,
high-tech industries and energy saving.
-- Improve business environment to facilitate win-win
cooperation.
-- Realize the convertibility of Chinese currency the yuan
and promote its global use.
-- Enhance two-way opening up of capital market,
including securities and bond markets.
-- Strive to sign high-standard bilateral investment
agreements with more countries.
BELT AND ROAD
-- Quicken Belt and Road construction and expand win-
win cooperation to form a new comprehensive opening-
up landscape.
-- Strengthen cooperation with international financial
institutions, push forward the Asian Infrastructure
Investment Bank and the BRICS New Development
Bank, and properly operate the Silk Road Fund.
-- Build China-Mongolia-Russia, China-Central Asia-
West Asia, China-Indochina Peninsula, China-Pakistan
and Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar economic
corridors, as well as the new Eurasian Land Bridge.
GLOBAL ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE
-- Safeguard the role of the World Trade Organization
and push forward multilateral trade negotiations.
-- Vigorously set up free trade areas with countries along
the routes of the Belt and Road.
-- Step up talks with the Regional Comprehensive
Economic Partnership and Gulf Cooperation Council and
on free trade area of China, Japan and the Republic of
Korea.
-- Push forward the establishment of free trade
agreements with Israel, Canada, the Eurasian Economic
Union and the European Union, as well as an Asia-
Pacific free trade area.
-- Continue to propel investment agreement talks with the
United States and Europe.
-- Actively participate in the making of international
rules on the Internet, deep sea, polar region and space
and of international standards.
INTERNATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
-- Increase assistance to developing countries in
education, medicine, disaster relief, animal protection
and poverty alleviation.
-- Safeguard international public security and oppose any
forms of terrorism.
PEOPLE'S WELL-BEING
-- Lift 50 million people out of poverty and build a
moderately prosperous society in all aspects.
-- Fully implement two-child policy, with the total
population reaching 1.42 billion.
STRATEGY AND SECURITY
-- Formulate and implement national security policies in
politics, territory, economy, society, resources and the
Internet.
-- Reinforce anti-terrorism forces and increase
international cooperation.
-- Advance national defense and military modernization.
Press conference on 4th session of
China's 12th NPC (Xinhua)
Updated: 2016-03-04 11:43
Fu Ying, spokesperson for the fourth session of China's 12th National
People's Congress, waves to the journalists at a news conference at the
Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 4, 2016. [Photo by Wang
Zhuangfei/China Daily]
Press conference on 4th session of China's 12th NPC is
held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 4,
2016.
Key Points
China to raise 2016 defense budget by 7-8 pct
A spokesperson of the national legislature talked on
Friday about what could be China's slowest military
budget increase for six years, as the world's second
largest economy feels the chill amid rising headwinds.
Fu Ying, spokesperson for the National People's
Congress annual session, said military spending is
budgeted to grow by around 7 to 8 percent in 2016.
The exact figure will be released in a budget report to the
session, Fu told a press conference.
China's defense budget rose by 10.1 percent last year.
A growth rate within the range that Fu mentioned might
be the lowest for years since 2010, when the figure stood
at 7.5 percent.
The spokesperson said the raise in 2016 is in line with
China's national defense need and fiscal revenue.
China's economy expanded 6.9 percent year on year in
2015, the slowest in one fourth a century, weighed down
by a property market downturn, falling trade and weak
factory activity.
Premier Li Keqiang will unveil the government's GDP
target on Saturday.
The figure is expected to be in a range between 6.5 and 7
percent, compared with the "approximately 7 percent"
target announced by Li last year.
[Photo by Feng Yongbin/China Daily]
US militarizing South China Sea
A spokesperson for China's national legislature said
Friday that it is the United States that is militarizing the
South China Sea.
Fu Ying, spokesperson for this year's annual session of
the National People's Congress that will kick off
Saturday, said at a press conference that currently most
of the advanced aircraft and warships passing through the
South China Sea belong to the United States.
Fu made remarks when answering a question from a CBS
correspondent about China's construction of military
facilities in the islands and reefs in the South China Sea.
She said that according to its strategy of pivot to Asia-
Pacific, the United States has decided to deploy a larger
part of its naval force to this region. It is also
strengthening military presence in the Asia Pacific region
with its allies.
"Isn't it militarization?" She asked in reply, adding that
wrongly accusing China's militarization in the waters is a
hegemonic act in language, which will also mislead the
situation.
Most of Chinese lawmakers and ordinary people are not
pleased and do not agree with the U.S. showing off
military power by sending warships to waters close to the
South China Sea islands and reefs.
The United States said it did not take sides in the South
China Sea disputes, however, its acts and rhetoric make
people feel that it is raising tensions in the region, Fu
said.
Philanthropy is developing fast in China and the
nation aims to standardize it through a charity law.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference a day ahead
of the Fourth Session of the 12th National People's
Congress (NPC), Fu Ying said that the importance of
charity law cannot be underestimated. China has a
tradition of helping the poor and needy, Fu said, citing
that the amount of donation by social entities and
individuals in 2014 reached 100 billion yuan (15 billion
U.S. dollars), a big rise from the 10 billion yuan seen in
2004.
With the fast development of philanthropy, China is in an
urgent need of a charity law that can protect the rights of
donors and the needy, and punish fraud.
China guarantees the rights of lawyers to fulfill their
missions in line with law, regarding them an
important force in promoting the rule of law
Lawyers should be examples of observing law and they
will face legal punishment if they violate law.
She said she did not agree with the label of so-called
"human rights lawyers", which seemed to be a
classification in a political sense.
Lawyers have been an important group in China's society
to ensure the proper implementation of law and safeguard
social fairness and justice. The number of lawyers has
increased from about 2,000 in 1979 to more than 300,000
now, Fu added.
China Daily reporter asks a question during the news conference in
Beijing, March 4, 2016. [Photo by Feng Yongbin/China Daily]
Altogether 43 national lawmakers have resigned and 27
others were dismissed in China since 2013, largely due to
graft, a spokesperson with the top legislature said Friday.
Some of them were dismissed because of violating Party
codes of conduct and laws, while some others resigned
for their involvement or suspected involvement in graft,
Fu Ying told a press conference prior to the Fourth
Session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC).
Photo/Wang Zhuangfei
China's NPC supervision not formality
China's top legislative body's supervision over law
enforcement and government work is not a formality, a
spokesperson said Friday.
The National People's Congress (NPC) has been
improving and innovating its supervision and will
continue to make efforts to prompt positive changes, said
Fu Ying at a press conference.
The NPC has formed an effective supervision chain that
combines law enforcement examination and special
inquiries, Fu said.
Fu said legislators conducted law enforcement
supervision on six laws, including vocational education
law last year, and pushed forward measures that led to
practical improvement after discussions with government
agencies.
"The supervision will not stop until we see good results,"
Fu said.
Proposed bill not to restrict overseas NGOs in China
A new bill to regulate overseas non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) in China, yet to be finalized, aims
not at restricting them but providing a better legal
environment, a spokeswoman for the annual session of
the country's top legislature said Friday.
The bill has been read twice by the Standing Committee
of the National People's Congress (NPC) and is still
being amended, Fu Ying told reporters, noting that
lawmakers have extensively solicited opinions and
suggestions from both within and outside China.
The purpose of the law is not to restrict their lawful,
helpful activities in China, but to provide a sound legal
environment, she said.
Statistics show there are more than 7,000 overseas NGOs
operating in China, mainly in sectors such as
environment, science, education and culture, the
spokeswoman said.
The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) is in charge of
drafting the bill, Fu said, as it is a tradition that the MPS
handles foreigners' activities in China, such as visa
application and residence registration.
Proposed bill to provide clearer lines for China's
filmmaking
A new bill to promote China's movie industry will
provide clearer lines for filmmakers, a spokeswoman for
the annual session of the national legislature said Friday.
There is a consensus among filmmakers and censors that
there should be clearer lines for China's filmmaking, and
that the censorship system should be open and
transparent, said Fu Ying, spokeswoman for the Fourth
Session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC), at
a press conference.
Fu quoted the draft bill as saying that, in establishing
specific criteria for movie censorship, opinions and
suggestions must be sought from experts and other
members of society.
After setting a record of 44 billion yuan (6.7 billion U.S.
dollars) in 2015, China's cinemas made history once
again this February.
With 6.87 billion yuan (1.05 billion U.S. dollars) in ticket
sales, China's box office surpassed North America (810
million U.S. dollars) for the first time ever last month,
according to the State Administration of Press,
Publication, Radio, Film and Television.
The bill, which had been read once by the NPC Standing
Committee, is still being amended and will help build a
better legal environment for China's movie industry, Fu
added.
Premier Li Keqiang is looking to the technology industry
and emerging sectors as a leading factor to give impetus
to the economy during its difficult transition.
The growth industries also have helped the country create
more jobs than expected, Li told some political advisers
on Friday, one day before he is to deliver the
Government Work Report to lawmakers and political
advisers as the National People’s Congress convenes its
annual session in Beijing.
In the coming months, the government will provide more
support to growth industries, such as information
technology, biotechnology and new energy, in policies
and in financial incentives, Li said.
He made the remarks while meeting with members of the
economy and agriculture groups of the nation’s top
advisory body.
Li also told the advisers at the meeting that the country
has achieved most of its goals set in its previous Five-
Year Plan (2011-15).
The country is ready to unveil its 13th Five-Year Plan
(2016-20) during the annual session of the top legislature.
On the policy front, the premier promised that the
government will release more supply-side reform
initiatives aimed at cutting overcapacity and easing
taxation burdens on enterprises.
The premier said that enough funds and favorable terms
will be guaranteed so the economy can achieve a
reasonable growth rate this year, widely estimated at 6.5
percent or higher.
During the meeting, Yang Yuanqing, CEO of Lenovo
Group, suggested that large enterprises provide a
platform for startups and young entrepreneurs.
These enterprises, with wide brand recognition, ample
funds and a technological edge, can help small
technology enterprises to translate research results into
gains in the market, said Yang.
Yang also called for support from the government so that
the country’s scientific research achievements can be
applied in the marketplace.
Citing information security as an example, he suggested
that government departments purchase more equipment
from domestic high-tech companies rather than from
transnationals.
Wu Yueshi, vice-president of Longping High-Tech
Agriculture in Hunan province and also a political
adviser, suggested that the government provide more
support on the research and innovation of seed breeding
to further develop the modern agriculture sector.
The enterprise was set up by Yuan Longping, the
scientist who pioneered the country’s high-yield hybrid
rice.
It is the third straight year that the premier has solicited
opinions and suggestions from political advisers with the
agriculture and economy sectors before delivering the
Government Work Report.
Xu Hongcai, an economist at the China Center for
International Economic Exchanges, said this shows that
the government has prioritized stable economic growth
for the years ahead
Xi vows to curb Taiwan secessionists By Wu Jiao (China Daily)
Updated: 2016-03-06 09:06
Chinese President Xi Jinping joins a group deliberation of deputies from
Shanghai to the annual session of the National People's Congress in
Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2016.[Photo/Xinhua]
Beijing will "resolutely curb" secessionist activities
seeking "Taiwan independence" in any form, and will
never let the historic tragedy of "national separation"
recur, President Xi Jinping said on Saturday.
He made the remarks when attending the panel
discussion on the Government Work Report by
lawmakers from the Shanghai delegation.
Shanghai, China's economic hub, is home to tens of
thousands of Taiwan businesspeople and their families.
It is the first time Xi has made remarks on cross-Straits
relations since Tsai Ing-wen, chairwoman of Taiwan's
pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, won a
leadership election on the island in January. She is
scheduled to take office in May.
"Our policy toward Taiwan has been consistent and clear
and will not change because of political changes in
Taiwan," Xi said.
He said the 1992 Consensus, which says both Taiwan
and the mainland are parts of one China, explicitly
defines the nature of the cross-Straits relationship and is
crucial to the stable and long-term development of cross-
Straits ties.
Only by acknowledging the 1992 Consensus, and
accepting its core content, can the two sides have a
common political foundation and maintain healthy
interactions, according to Xi.
Xi made no direct mention of Tsai.
Thepast eight years, during which time Ma Ying-jeou has
served as the island's leader, have been marked by
smooth exchanges between the mainland and Taiwan.
"Compatriots across the Straits are very expectant about
the peaceful development of cross-Straits ties, and we
should not let them down," Xi said.
Premier Li Keqiang also said in the Government Work
Report on Saturday that authorities on the mainland will
uphold its policies toward Taiwan, oppose separatist
activities, maintain the peaceful development of
crossStraits relations and safeguard peace and stability of
the Taiwan Straits.
"We will strive to make progress in cross-Straits
economic integration. We will encourage cultural,
educational, scientific and technological exchanges and
help strengthen exchanges between ordinary people and
the younger generation on both sides of the Straits," he
said.
He added that, guided by the conviction that people on
both sides of the Straits belong to one and the same
family, the mainland will share with people in Taiwan
both the responsibility of the Chinese nation and
opportunities for development, and jointly build a cross-
Straits community of common destiny.
Zhu Songling, director of the Institute of Cross-Straits
Relations at Beijing Union University, said Xi's remarks
reaffirmed the mainland leadership's determination to
safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
They also reflected goodwill from Xi toward the people
in Taiwan, he added.
Peng Yining contributed to this story.
Xi vows to curb Taiwan secessionists By Wu Jiao (China Daily)
Updated: 2016-03-06 09:06
Chinese President Xi Jinping joins a group deliberation of deputies from
Shanghai to the annual session of the National People's Congress in
Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2016.[Photo/Xinhua]
Beijing will "resolutely curb" secessionist activities
seeking "Taiwan independence" in any form, and will
never let the historic tragedy of "national separation"
recur, President Xi Jinping said on Saturday.
He made the remarks when attending the panel
discussion on the Government Work Report by
lawmakers from the Shanghai delegation.
Shanghai, China's economic hub, is home to tens of
thousands of Taiwan businesspeople and their families.
It is the first time Xi has made remarks on cross-Straits
relations since Tsai Ing-wen, chairwoman of Taiwan's
pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, won a
leadership election on the island in January. She is
scheduled to take office in May.
"Our policy toward Taiwan has been consistent and clear
and will not change because of political changes in
Taiwan," Xi said.
He said the 1992 Consensus, which says both Taiwan
and the mainland are parts of one China, explicitly
defines the nature of the cross-Straits relationship and is
crucial to the stable and long-term development of cross-
Straits ties.
Only by acknowledging the 1992 Consensus, and
accepting its core content, can the two sides have a
common political foundation and maintain healthy
interactions, according to Xi.
Xi made no direct mention of Tsai.
Thepast eight years, during which time Ma Ying-jeou has
served as the island's leader, have been marked by
smooth exchanges between the mainland and Taiwan.
"Compatriots across the Straits are very expectant about
the peaceful development of cross-Straits ties, and we
should not let them down," Xi said.
Premier Li Keqiang also said in the Government Work
Report on Saturday that authorities on the mainland will
uphold its policies toward Taiwan, oppose separatist
activities, maintain the peaceful development of
crossStraits relations and safeguard peace and stability of
the Taiwan Straits.
"We will strive to make progress in cross-Straits
economic integration. We will encourage cultural,
educational, scientific and technological exchanges and
help strengthen exchanges between ordinary people and
the younger generation on both sides of the Straits," he
said.
He added that, guided by the conviction that people on
both sides of the Straits belong to one and the same
family, the mainland will share with people in Taiwan
both the responsibility of the Chinese nation and
opportunities for development, and jointly build a cross-
Straits community of common destiny.
Zhu Songling, director of the Institute of Cross-Straits
Relations at Beijing Union University, said Xi's remarks
reaffirmed the mainland leadership's determination to
safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
They also reflected goodwill from Xi toward the people
in Taiwan, he added.
Peng Yining contributed to this story.