Chinese leaders join national legislators in panel discussions

BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) — President Xi Jinping highlighted development,
human capital and innovation when he joined legislators of the 13th
National People’s Congress (NPC) for a panel discussion Wednesday.

Joining deputies from south China’s Guangdong Province, Xi, also general
secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and
chairman of the Central Military Commission, pledged uttermost efforts to
help ordinary people solve problems and overcome difficulties.Xi said that
he totally endorsed the draft constitutional amendment, which is under
deliberation at the national legislature.Revising part of the Constitution
is a major decision made by the CPC Central Committee from the overall and
strategic height of upholding and developing socialism with Chinese
characteristics in the new era, Xi stressed.Hailing it a major move to
advance law-based governance and modernize China’s system and capacity for
governance, Xi said the drafting process of the bill has fully practiced
democracy, pooled wisdom from various sectors and embodied the common will
of the Party and the people.

Xi also stressed economic restructuring, scientific innovation, opening-up
and better governance.The country should attach more importance to the
development of the real economy, and focus on strategic emerging industries
such as information technology, high-end manufacturing, biotechnology, new
material and maritime economy, while eliminating industries and enterprises
with heavy pollution and emissions, he said.China welcomes top-notch
scientists and technicians from home and abroad, and supports innovations
of small and medium-sized enterprises, he said.The country should fully
open up with a broader horizon, higher standards and stronger efforts, he
said.
Xi also underlined efficient social governance and promotion of social
justice.He told leading officials to prevent relapse of undesirable work
practices and consolidate implementation of the eight-point decision on
improving Party and government conduct.

Other Chinese leaders, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao
Leji and Han Zheng, members of the Standing Committee of the Political
Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, also joined NPC deputies in panel
discussions Wednesday.Speaking to deputies from Zhejiang Province, Li
Keqiang said he fully endorsed the draft constitutional amendment, which
was a major move to implement the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress
and to uphold Constitution-based governance. He also called for further
transforming government functions and releasing market dynamics and
creativity.Meeting with deputies from Beijing, Li Zhanshu said he
completely agreed with the bill, adding that the incorporation into
Constitution of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese
Characteristics for a New Era and other theoretical, practical and
institutional progress made at the 19th CPC National Congress would provide
constitutional garantee for safeguarding the authority and centralized,
unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi at the core.

Joining deputies from the Taiwan delegation, Wang Yang said he totally
supported the bill, noting that the amendment was of profound significance
in reality and history, and met the expectations of the Party and people.
Joining deputies from Guizhou Province, Wang Huning said he completely
agreed with the bill, which embodied the spirit of the 19th CPC National
Congress and the second and third plenary sessions of the 19th CPC Central
Committee as well as the will of the people.Meeting with deputies from
Jiangsu Province, Zhao Leji said he totally endorsed the bill, which
established the guiding position of Xi’s thought in the Constitution, and
further clarified the supreme political principle of the Party’s overall
leadership.Joining deputies from Tianjin, Han Zheng said he completely
endorsed the bill, which constitutionalized major theoretical, practical
and institutional progress made under the Party’s leadership, and was an
important arrangement to ensure the sustainable development and long-term
stability of the Party and the country.