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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, March 18, 2002

Countries Follow 'Two Sessions' with Different Emphases

China's "two sessions" (the Fifth Session of the Ninth National People's Congress [NPC] and the Fifth Session of the Ninth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference [CPPCC]) were held between March 3 and March 15 in Beijing, to which the western media has paid great attention with different emphases.


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USA: People's Livelihood and Question of Military Spending
US media devote much space to report on China's "two sessions" (the Fifth Session of the Ninth National People's Congress [NPC] and the Fifth Session of the Ninth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference [CPPCC]). It can be seen from the report that besides paying affirmative attention to China's economic development, the Americans are most concerned about China's military position, of which military expenditure is the focus.

"Voice of America" (VOA) report says that Premier Zhu Rongji's Government Work Report sets forth measures to stimulate economic growth, under the circumstances of China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) and world economic uncertainty factors, the living standards of the Chinese people are still being improved. The report affirms that the Government Work Report pays attention to workers and farmers. VOA notices "Zhu's mild wording" in respect to Taiwan, Hong Kong and China's foreign relations: "Zhu calls on Taiwan to reopen dialogs and realize three direct links of mail, trade and transportation on the basis of the one-China principle. Zhu also mentioned the necessity of opposing hegemony and power politics, but he did not particularly mention the United States by name".

In addition, most US media pay particular attention to China's increased military spending. "Washington Post" comments that increase of China's budgeted military spending indicates "China's ambition to build a strong economy to support its powerful armed forces and strengthen China's strategic position in Asia". "Los Angeles Times" published a commentary on March 7, claiming that the main reason for China's military modernization lies in its worries about US military force. The newspaper pointed out that Beijing's military expenditure could in no way compare with that of the United States. It quoted the words of an expert with an American company by saying that the Chinese government's most priority project lies in its intention to modernize the armed forces which still lag behind in many aspects, not in sophisticated weapons, advanced tactics and new fields of operation.

Europe: Post-China WTO Entry's Challenges
European media mainly concentrate on how China will face up to the impact brought about by its WTO entry, and on China's economic development, particularly the rural problem.

"Free Belgium Times" wrote in a report that "China's WTO accession will bring major impact on the economy undergoing reorganization, this is particularly true of the less competitive agricultural department." French "Le Monde" said in an article that the present slowdown of the world economic development has brought pressure to bear on China's economic growth. Its author pointed out that the 7.3 percent annual growth rate would mean a "high dignity" for developed countries, but it was rather worrisome for China. Because Chinese State-owned departments are faced with the great social pressure resulted from the painful reorganization. In view of this, the "Government Work Report" treats increase of farmers' income as the primary task". The article pointed out that to adapt itself to the circumstances appeared after it joined the WTO, China still needs to begin revising its relevant domestic regulations at the Ninth NPC session, so as to keep them in conformity with the WTO specified work. This will be a heavy legislative work which perhaps will continue till the year 2010.

British Broadcasting Corporation's (BBC's) report on China points out that after China's accession to the WTO, fierce competition will possibly deprive millions of people of their jobs. NPC deputies will seek government support to allay the "fit of pains" brought by China's WTO entry.

In short, the European media pay more attention to the "challenges" imposed after China's WTO entry. At the same time, quite a few media are rather concerned about the renewal of Chinese leaders.

ASEAN: Relations with Taiwan and USA, and Anti-corruption
ASEAN media reports on China's "two sessions" are quite characteristic this year, which are wide-ranging and deep. Media of Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia have set up special columns on the "two sessions".

Since the national conditions of various ASEAN nations are quite different, the emphases of their respective media reports on China's "two sessions" are varied. Singaporean media reports on the "two sessions" are most comprehensive and profound. Leading local Chinese and English newspapers, the "United Morning Post", the "Straits Times", etc. were most concerned about China's policies toward Taiwan and the United States, they gave prominent reports on the elucidation given in Premier Zhu Rongi's Government Report on the Taiwan issue, holding that China's "two sessions" express goodwill toward Taiwan. They gave detailed reports on what Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said that "China-US constructive cooperative relations are not cooperation of a short period or of a single incident" and he emphasized that China-US relations and the Taiwan issue are the key to stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Indonesia nagged by corruption phenomenon highly praised China's anti-corruption determination. The widest circulating Indonesian newspaper, "Compass", published a commentary, holding that Premier Zhu Rongji, in his work report, once again severely criticized the corruption phenomenon prevailing among officials at various levels, indicating the Chinese government's resolve and stand on continuing attacks on corruption. Malaysian media show particular concern about China's decision on dealing heavy blows to the "Turkistan" terrorist forces in Xinjiang and the development trend of the Reminbi (People's Currency). Philippine media made detailed reports on China's agricultural problem and gave prominent reports on President Jiang's speech on the agricultural problem.

Japan: Economy, Countryside, Society and Legal System
China's entry into the WTO, the question of countryside, social stability, and strengthened construction of the legal system are the hot spots of concern to various leading Japanese newspapers.

As regards China's WTO entry, the Asahi Shinbun of Japan pointed out how the government copes with the situation appeared after China became a full member of the WTO is the most striking focus of this year's NPC session. To mitigate the impact resulting from China's WTO entry, it is imperative to solve the primary issue of social security and various other problems. "Tokyo Shinbun" maintains that Premier Zhu's Government Work Report gives careful consideration to what the government, enterprise and the general public "should do", which demonstrates China's determination to press ahead with structural reform. With regard to the problem of the countryside, the "Japan Economic Shinbun" points out in its editorial: How to protect the disadvantaged group is key to China's sustained development in the future. "Asahi Shinbun" released an expert commentary, pointing out that contradictions in rural China have become more severe than 10 years ago, the rural problem is regarded as an issue affecting the general situation regarding the development of China's national economy and social stability. In regard to social stability, "Yomiuri Shinbun" points out that thanks to its political line of maintaining stability, China has achieved astonishing economic growth. Only through expanding employment and other policies for maintaining stability, can China bring about a virtuous circle of sustainable development. In the meantime, there have appeared some unstable factors in some local regions of China, this demonstrates the importance of maintaining social stability.

"Asahi Shinbun" editorial believes that the NPC session this year is a conference on exploring a road to "opening up" and "stability". After China's entry into the WTO, the first problem it faces is one of opening up, China should act in line with international rules to protect intellectual property rights, reduce administrative interference and expand transparency. Meanwhile, cut-throat international competition will magnify social instability. In order to maintain stability, it is necessary to crack down on terrorism, national separatism and religious extremists. On the issue of construction of the legal system, "Japan Economic Shinbun" says China is in the transition from the planned economy to the market economy, there exists serious monopoly phenomenon in State-owned enterprises in the communication, electricity and aviation industries, there is the need to enact an anti-monopoly law and other relevant regulations.



By People's Daily Online

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