Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, March 16, 2004
European parliament members sit in the visitors' seats of Chinese NPC
"I believe this constitutional amendment session will be supported by the people and will help China secure a more prosperous future." Said David Bowe, member of the China Relations Delegation of the European Parliament, to a reporter after attending the closing ceremony of the Second Plenum of 11th NPC.
"I believe this constitutional amendment session will be supported by the people and will help China secure a more prosperous future." Said David Bowe, member of the China Relations Delegation of the European Parliament, to a reporter after attending the closing ceremony of the Second Plenum of 11th NPC.
For 26 years since European Parliament established relation with Chinese National People's Congress this has been the first time that its delegation was invited to sit on NPC session. To the vote on the constitutional amendment delegation members paid special attention.
David Bowe said: "As I read the English version of the draft constitutional amendment I noted that the amendment has definite stipulations regarding the protection of human rights and private properties. It means that people's freedom and life safety will be more legally guaranteed."
Taking lead of a delegation Ms. Gorsel, delegation leader, paid a visit to China in 2002 and to Tibet Autonomous Region. She said the amendment to the constitution to make it adapted to the development need of society is very important. "I'm very glad to see that China is doing that exactly."
As one who has always been paying attention to human rights Gorsel wouldn't fail to notice the content of the amendment. She said writing the protection of human rights and private property into the constitution is the focus of the amendment. "In European Parliament human rights are also the key consideration when we work out policies. Meanwhile if China is to develop economy it needs to protect private properties. Only in this way can people be motivated in their work. This is also the main cause for the development of market economy.