SMPC considers 79 bills in 2014

Delegates put forward 79 proposals at this year's Shanghai Municipal People's Congress (SMPC), 23 fewer proposals than at last year's meeting, according to Yao Haitong, secretary-general of SMPC Standing Committee.

Legislative proposals accounted for 35 percent of the total, down from 44 percent last year. Still, many delegates were able to find common ground to address existing problems through the law.

"Many delegates attached a complete regulation draft to their proposal even though it was not mandatory, which showed that they put a lot of effort into preparing these proposals and did a good job voicing the public's concerns," Yao said at a press conference Tuesday.

SMPC delegates had until 10 am Tuesday to submit their proposals.

One highlight of this year was legislative proposals for the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, in which delegates called for the establishment of a commercial dispute mediation mechanism and a legal framework for encouraging cross-border investment.

Air pollution was also a major concern for the public and a hot topic among delegates. Several proposals gave suggestions about finding clean energy for local buses, adjusting the industrial layout and limiting polluting emissions.

The Shanghai Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference had received about 820 proposals as of January 20, down slightly from the 840 proposals submitted last year.

The proposals focused on the establishment of the pilot free trade zone in Shanghai, the problem of providing for the elderly residents in an aging society, air pollution and the development of the healthcare industry.

Proposals concerning economics accounted for about 31 percent of the total, up 8 percent from last year. The committee said the increase occurred because of the establishment of the free trade zone.