Advisory body chief in conciliation plea
CPPCC Chairman Li Ruihuan closed the annual session of the advisory body yesterday with a plea to different social sectors 'to resolve conflicts through conciliation' and to co-exist harmoniously.
His call followed Premier Zhu Rongji's vow in his Tuesday speech to the NPC to address a litany of grassroots problems that would flow from China's transition to a market economy.
Mr Li warned that the discontent of the masses would threaten stability if cadres and delegates failed to handle conflicts in a timely fashion.
He said there was an increasing discrepancy in regional development and that the role of the individual was changing in China due to intensifying market reform.
'We need to do a huge amount of conciliation and co-ordination work to resolve conflicts. Failing to handle conflicts effectively and in a timely fashion will undermine stability,' he told the delegates.
Mr Li encouraged delegates to act as bridges between different social sectors and to reflect not only the majority's view but also the opinions of minority groups.
'Only by co-existing harmoniously . . . will our society be able to move forward,' he said.
The conference approved a resolution calling for concern for deprived groups, the resolution of social conflicts and for representatives to combat illegal activities and maintain social stability. It also called for greater efforts by the Government to stamp out corruption, administrative waste and bureaucratic malpractice.
The advisory body tabled 3,583 proposals, which will be considered by the NPC.
