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‘Two sessions’: China targets human trafficking in wake of ‘chained woman’ scandal
- Premier says a crackdown and more support for social welfare is coming to tackle the crime
- Li Keqiang also takes aim at bureaucratic officials who fail to address the public interest
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China’s premier has pledged to target the trafficking of women and children, becoming the first national leader to address the problem since the plight of a woman chained up in a shed came to light more than a month ago.
Addressing legislators in Beijing on Saturday, Li Keqiang said a crackdown was on the way along with greater support for community groups and public welfare.
“[We will] severely crack down on the crime of abduction and trafficking of women and children, and resolutely protect the legitimate rights and interests of women and children,” Li said at the opening of the annual session of the National People’s Congress.
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Deputies responded to the pledge with applause, which continued when he took officials to task for “formalism”, a reference to bureaucracy.
“[Officials are] often out of touch with reality and go against the will of the masses. Some adopt a one-size-fits-all and only-for-show style in policy implementation … Some ignore serious violations of the rights and interests of the masses and seriously neglect their duties,” Li said.
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He said officials needed to have a better “sense of urgency”, and “live up to the expectations of the people”.
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