At 3 pm yesterday, the first press conference of the Fifth Session of the 12th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference was held in the press conference hall of the Great Hall of the People. At the 90-minute press conference, Wang Guoqing, the press spokesman of the conference, answered 18 questions raised by Chinese and foreign journalists, covering the economy, the 13th Five-Year Plan and the reform of the camp.
On the 13th Five-Year Plan
More than 1,400 members participated in the survey.
Wang Guoqing introduced that last year, Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference made suggestions and suggestions for the implementation of the 13th Five-Year Plan as the main line of work, and closely followed the key points and difficulties to carry out research and discussion activities. In last year, Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference organized 91 inspection and investigation activities, and 1,408 members participated in these investigation activities, and held 2 special discussion meetings, 3 special consultation meetings and 16 biweekly consultation forums. Members submitted a total of 5,769 proposals and received 8,678 pieces of social conditions and public opinion information. In particular, research and discussion were carried out on topics such as improving the effectiveness of poverty alleviation, promoting industrial transformation and upgrading in the three northeastern provinces, and deepening the reform of the medical and health system.
He revealed that the CPPCC’s research in Northeast China is very solid, and the research in many enterprises takes more than one and a half days. "Our work and life are very fast now. I have also participated in some surveys organized by the Foreign Affairs Committee. Not many people can stay in a city for a day and a half. They can stay in a company for a day and a half, so I think this survey is really hard." He said that the economic structure of the three northeastern provinces is now being adjusted, and signs that the economic operation is stabilizing and improving have begun to appear. "The status of the Northeast is irreplaceable and the future of the Northeast is limitless."
Talk about economy
Responded to China’s economic "pessimism" with transcripts
In 2017, China’s economic growth rate was 6.7%, the lowest in 26 years. Regarding the economic situation next year, Wang Guoqing said that China’s GDP exceeded 70 trillion yuan last year, up 6.7% over the previous year, and its growth rate returned to the top of the world’s major economies. It has achieved a good start in the 13th Five-Year Plan and responded to China’s economic pessimism with a real report card.
Wang Guoqing said that as the second largest economy in the world, the contribution rate of China’s economy to world economic growth has reached 33.2% in 2016. The steady growth of China’s economy has brought greater market demand to the world economy, driven more investment, provided more abundant products and created more precious opportunities for cooperation. He said that at present, China’s economy is generally stable and stable, but it still needs to be step by step and steady. China’s economy still has strong power and enduring endurance. As long as we persist in striving for progress steadily and calmly respond to various risk challenges, China’s economy will remain the strongest "engine" of the world economy this year.
On "Reform of the camp"
Last year, after the "reform of the camp", it lost 500 billion yuan.
Regarding the problem that enterprises do not feel obvious after the "VAT reform", Wang Guoqing said that China’s tax structure, which is dominated by indirect taxes, makes enterprises feel particularly acute about taxes and fees. There are still some unreasonable charges passed on to enterprises, and the actual burden felt by enterprises is heavy. Last year, it was a real fact that the tax was reduced by 500 billion yuan, which was taken out with real money, or collected less.
But specific to each enterprise, the sense of gain will definitely be different, because the special deduction mechanism of value-added tax has higher requirements for taxpayers’ accounting and tax management. In addition, influenced by investment cycle, capital composition, management and profitability, the tax burden level of taxpayers fluctuates at different time points, and not every taxpayer’s tax burden decreases at every time point. In different industries, the situation is different. According to the statistics of relevant departments, the tax burden of 1.6% taxpayers has increased at present, despite the overall decrease.
Talk about Hong Kong
Looking forward to the emergence of a new chief executive in Hong Kong
Regarding the upcoming election of the fifth Hong Kong Chief Executive on March 26th, Wang Guoqing expressed the hope that the election can be conducted in a legal, orderly and smooth manner. I believe that Hong Kong will be able to elect a Chief Executive who loves Hong Kong, has the trust of the central authorities, has the ability to govern and is supported by the people of Hong Kong. Like everyone else, he is looking forward to it.
Besides, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong. Wang Guoqing said that the achievements of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong in the past 20 years are universally recognized. Of course, we have also encountered some new situations and new problems. The central government has always adhered to two points in implementing the principle of "one country, two systems": first, it is firm and will not change or waver; Second, it is comprehensive and accurate, ensuring that the practice of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong is not distorted or distorted, and always advances in the right direction. Therefore, whether it is between the mainland people and Hong Kong people, or between different sectors and classes in Hong Kong society, only by fully respecting each other’s interests and concerns, being rational and pragmatic, and seeking common ground while reserving differences, can we narrow differences, resolve contradictions, avoid conflicts, build Hong Kong well, and build our common home of the Chinese nation well.
Talking about the South China Sea
It is perfectly normal to deploy necessary facilities in one’s own country.
Regarding the question that China’s deployment of military facilities on the South Island Reef threatens the freedom of navigation, Wang Guoqing replied with a China proverb, "There is nothing in the world, and much ado about nothing". He said that the South China Sea Islands are China’s inherent territory, and it is completely normal for China to deploy some necessary national defense facilities on its own territory. This is the normal right of a sovereign country recognized by international law. As for threatening the freedom of navigation of other countries, he said, in fact, China, as a major trading country and the largest coastal country in the South China Sea, attaches more importance to the freedom and safety of navigation in the South China Sea than any other country. It is totally a "false proposition" that some foreign countries speculate that "China threatens freedom of navigation". Because after World War II, China recovered the South China Sea Islands, so many years, freedom of navigation in the South China Sea has never heard of any problems.
He reiterated that China has established cooperation mechanisms with many countries to ensure the navigation safety of the South China Sea Channel. Civil facilities such as lighthouses built by China in the South China Sea Islands have played an active role in ensuring the safety of navigation and humanitarian relief.
observe
Newly renovated
Press Conference Hall
Yesterday afternoon, the first press conference of the Fifth Session of the 12th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference was held in the press conference hall of the Great Hall of the People. This year is Wang Guoqing’s second appearance since he became the spokesman of the CPPCC General Assembly. After the press conference started at 3 pm, he simply delivered a welcome speech and then said, "This year’s decoration, things are different, but people are still." He refers to the renovation of the press conference hall in the past year.
When the Beijing Youth Daily reporter entered the venue, he noticed the changes in the release hall. For example, the back plate of the podium of the conference was changed from marble with patterns last year to light yellow, and the ceiling was changed from rows of small lights to a large main light centered around some slightly smaller crystal lights. The decoration of the fence has also been changed from plane to concave wooden structure with Chinese carved patterns. It is observed that there are more than 200 chairs in this year’s press conference. However, the two aisles between the Eastern District, the Central District and the Western District are all full of people, including two rows of reporters in front of the first row and under the publishing platform. The number of reporters on the spot should be around 400.
The conference was co-chaired by Liu Jiayi, Deputy Secretary-General of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and Zhang Jingan, Director of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Information Bureau. At the 20th minute of the press conference, the reporter of Beiqing Daily noticed that after Zhang Jingan and Wang Guoqing whispered a few words, Wang Guoqing took off his watch and put it aside, probably because the progress of the press conference was a little slow, and he just entered the fourth question at the 20th minute. Finally, it is estimated that the 70-minute press conference will last for about 90 minutes.
In the press conference, Wang Guoqing told the story of Ding Long last year, and this year, when talking about poverty alleviation, he told the story of Li Xinan, Shaanxi. When it comes to reform, he said that China’s reform can only be carried out when it is not completed, and the economy is a "required question" every year. When talking about China’s cultural self-confidence, he used the popular "Chinese Poetry Conference" during the Spring Festival as an example, and said that he didn’t advertise the program, which was really hot. His second-grade grandson would also answer questions with the Tang and Song poems he learned in class. When talking about the Belt and Road Initiative, Wang Guoqing introduced what research the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) had done on this topic. This was the only CPPCC special committee he mentioned during the whole press conference, and virtually made an advertisement for the Foreign Affairs Committee.
The reporter of Beiqing Daily also noticed that when answering American reporters’ questions about the South China Sea, Wang Guoqing directly called the reporter’s English name Eric, which should be related to his long-term work in the State Council Information Office and his frequent dealings with Chinese and foreign journalists.
Wang Guoqing: Sometimes it’s a bit like walking on thin ice.
On the eve of the two sessions of the National People’s Congress, Wang Guoqing, spokesman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Congress, accepted an exclusive interview with a reporter from Beijing Youth Daily. Wang Guoqing answered questions about the work of the past year, the preparation and summary of the press conference, and the qualification examination of the upcoming new members.
The first press conference is the opening of the two sessions every year.
Beiqing Daily: Since the two sessions last year, you have rarely appeared in the public eye. Can you tell us what you have done personally this year?
Wang Guoqing: First of all, I am the press spokesman of the conference, so I take on the responsibility of "speaking" during the conference, such as the first press conference, so the exposure rate during the conference is higher. But at ordinary times, as a member of the CPPCC, a platform for participating in and discussing state affairs, the first thing for me is to perform my duties seriously, hold meetings, conduct research and make proposals. At the same time, this year also played a role in promoting the perfection of China’s press release system and improving the level of the press spokesman team.
Beiqing Daily: You mentioned that the first press conference of the two sessions was "highly concerned by the society and politically sensitive" and you felt great pressure. How should you understand this?
Wang Guoqing: "Social concern is high" because it is the first press conference of the NPC and CPPCC. I have also worked as a reporter and interviewed the two sessions. I know that reporters will do a lot of desk work in advance, but they can’t produce manuscripts, even if some of them are sporadic. The first press conference can be regarded as a little content, so the degree of attention is relatively high.
"Strong political sensitivity" can be understood in this way. The first press conference is compared to the opening gongs and drums of the two sessions every year. It is necessary to guide everyone’s attention to major issues that affect the national economy and people’s livelihood and national development. If some questions are not properly answered and grasped, it will have an impact on the public opinion atmosphere of the whole conference. Therefore, I think that the first press conference is highly politically sensitive, and I feel very responsible. Sometimes I really feel a bit like walking on thin ice, for fear that my answer will cause some unnecessary public opinion hotspots.
The workload of post-conference analysis is quite large.
Beiqing Daily: Can you tell us about your follow-up work after last year’s press conference and what stories have you prepared this year?
Wang Guoqing: We also want to convey what we want to express by telling stories. Now it looks very effective. People may not be interested in the same thing, even if it is a vivid document language. After turning it into a story, the effect will be different if the spirit is integrated into the story. For example, when I talked about Ding Long last year, I didn’t know there was such a person until I was preparing. His story touched me and was noticed by the media after I finished speaking. After so many years, Ding Long was a little "fired".
We have to sum up after the press conference of the two sessions. Press release is a very complicated job, not just deciding when to hold the press conference. Topic setting, content selection, on-site organization and post-meeting effect evaluation are all very important links. For example, we held a press conference with dozens of reporters, and the scene was very lively. However, how to report after the meeting and the performance of the spokesperson need to be analyzed, and the workload is quite large. I emphasized this point very much when I was in the new office. Every year, I asked professors from colleges and universities to take the team to do the evaluation of news release. It has been more than ten years now. In addition to regular feedback during the period, there will be a work meeting at the end of the year, and they will bring us a thick report, which is very useful to us. Their evaluation is often more professional and objective.
I joked that when we finish the press conference and write a briefing, we would often say that "the reporters at the press conference asked questions enthusiastically and the Chinese and foreign media reported them fully". However, the experts’ evaluation will not report good news but not bad news. They will affirm the achievements, directly tell the problems and analyze the reasons, which is very helpful for the improvement of our work.
Beiqing Daily: Recently, international and domestic events have continued. You are a spokesman and vice director of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. What’s your response or preparation?
Wang Guoqing: The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is a platform for consultation and deliberation, not a decision-making body or an administrative organ. Before that, we had three symposiums with the media and a salon with foreign media reporters, all of whom were very concerned about these issues. However, as a spokesperson for the CPPCC General Assembly, I have no authority to talk about these issues. After we collect the questions raised by reporters, we will make some judgments about which ones should be answered at the press conference of the CPPCC National Committee and which ones should be transferred as "setters", such as those that should be transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, those that should be given to the National Development and Reform Commission, and those that should be given to the Taiwan Affairs Office. It’s not that we push these questions out, and I can respond to some questions, but most of them can only be regarded as statements, which are not authoritative. Therefore, we still have to find our own position.
CPPCC members are not only honors, but also political responsibilities.
Beiqing Daily: Talk about anti-corruption. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection held a press conference after the plenary session for two consecutive years. What do you think? This year, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) will start recommending new members. Is there any plan to strengthen the qualification examination?
Wang Guoqing: It is very good for the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection to hold a press conference after the plenary session. Although there was a meeting communique, there were many reports during the meeting, and the media had done a lot of work, there was such a press conference after the meeting, where "authoritative people" came out to face the media and interpreted the issues that everyone was concerned about and those that were not fully understood in the communique. The effect was very good, indicating that our work in this regard was very transparent. Including people accusing us of selective anti-corruption and power struggle, they all gave a good response.
How to handle the threshold of the CPPCC is a very important issue in the year of transition, and it is also a concern of everyone. I am also a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and we are all very concerned about it. CPPCC members are not only an honor, but also a political responsibility. Everyone wants their environment to be clean. Therefore, next year’s transition must be in strict accordance with the procedures.
The articles of association of the CPPCC stipulate the procedures for the selection of CPPCC members: first, nomination and recommendation, the relevant departments make a comprehensive evaluation of the recommended list, form a list of suggestions through consultation, and then report it to the Standing Committee of the CPPCC for consultation and approval by half of the members of the Standing Committee. There are a series of strict procedures for recommendation, review, approval and publicity. Before the change of the two sessions, the central government will also put forward some clear requirements, and all recommended responsible units or departments should be highly responsible and strictly follow the requirements of the central government. Now we say that leading cadres can’t "take up their posts with illness", and CPPCC members can’t "enter this team with illness", so we should make good checks at all levels. Of course, we must give full play to the role of democracy and supervision, including supervision by public opinion, organization and other aspects, to ensure a clean and upright atmosphere. We also hope that the new Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference will have a team of members with strong representativeness, reasonable structure, both ability and political integrity and high performance.
Beiqing Daily: This year is the fifth session of the CPPCC. Do you think there will be any changes in the performance of members’ duties, such as the sharp increase in the number of proposals or the enthusiasm of members in performing their duties?
Wang Guoqing: I can’t judge what changes have taken place in the performance of duties of members as a whole. Personally, I will certainly cherish the limited time left in this term, do my duty with all my heart, leave no regrets and live up to my mission. I believe members will make good use of the opportunity in the last year, live up to this title and do their work well.
As for whether the number of proposals will soar, I don’t think so. In recent years, my feeling is that the ability of members to perform their duties is becoming more and more mature, and the quality of proposals is getting higher and higher. In recent years, Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference has always emphasized the quality of proposals, and made some demands in this respect. Just like GDP, we should not blindly pursue quantity, but pay more attention to quality, and we should not make proposals for everything. At present, Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference advocates and encourages sectoral proposals and collective proposals, which are often of high quality, because a lot of research has been done collectively before they are put forward, and the questions are all asked accurately. In the past two or three years, the number of proposals has remained at around five or six thousand.
This edition/reporter Yu Zhou
Photo/reporter Huang Liang (except signature)