Opinion | More power to the people's congresses

This year's meetings of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference are the first to be held after the publication of the party's landmark blueprint for reform. Chapter eight of the "Decision on Major Issues Concerning Comprehensively Deepening Reform" deals with political reform. We hope to see signs of change at this week's meetings.

Article 27 of the resolution pledges to improve the legislative system to "keep up with the times". It upholds the people's congresses as the foundation of China's political system and sets out eight targets for change:

• Perfect the rule of law by improving the quality of the legislation and deterring protectionist behaviour by local interests.
   
• Improve government by the people, by enabling the legislature to set laws and supervise official conduct.
   
• Ensure official decision-making is properly debated and scrutinised.
   
• Enhance the legislature's ability to scrutinise fiscal budgets and national assets.
   
• Implement sound tax laws.
   
• Improve the communication between the NPC Standing Committee and NPC delegates.
   
• Do more to reach out to people through better networking agencies, the internet and other means.
   
• Improve operations so that more people can take part in the process of lawmaking.

Undeniably, China's people's congresses have made some strides. They have enacted a body of laws that now form the basis of our legal system, while the formation of various committees have strengthened the legislature's function. Even the recent vote-buying scandals point to the legislature's growth in stature: there's now a buoyant trade of these coveted seats on the black market.

Despite these improvements, the legislature falls far short of the goals set out in the blueprint. For example, it remains a much-mocked rubber stamp. Any reform won't come easily.

Yet it must change. The blueprint calls for more rigorous scrutiny of government budgets and state assets. Given the overhaul of the tax system, we expect to hear about moves to consolidate the fiscal budget this week, as well as new steps to enhance scrutiny of state-owned enterprises.

According to leaked news about the agenda, delegates are unlikely to touch on amendments to the Budget Law. Opinions about how to proceed are clearly divided. However, we hope the people's representatives in Beijing will set some dates to speed up the process, as the draft amendments must be discussed by June this year before they lapse.

With so much to do and so little time, our leaders must set the ball rolling with some near- and medium-term targets.