Xi shines at 2015 'two sessions'(2)

Efforts should be made to strengthen national defense and the combativeness of its armed forces, through greater civil-military integration, said Xi, who is also chairman of the Central Military Commission.

"The strategic layout of the 'Four Comprehensives' has demonstrated that there is huge potential for future development," said Xie Zhongyan, a deputy to the NPC.

"It has filled the public with confidence," he said.

TO THE ROOT OF PROBLEM

Xi has not only focused on the positive aspects during panel discussions, he has also offered his insight into areas where problems remain.

For Ren Kejun, an NPC deputy from Jilin, the day he expressed his views on agricultural development during a panel discussion attended by Xi is something he will not forget easily.

"General Secretary Xi raised more than 10 questions to me, inquiring about the prices of agricultural products and soil protection and so on. Each question was very important," said Ren, an agricultural expert.

Agricultural modernization should be advanced and realized in pilot regions first, Xi said during the discussion.

The president also spoke extensively on poverty-reduction and improving people's living standards. "No ethnic group, no region should be left behind," he said.

He promised to hasten the establishment of free trade zones (FTZs) and turn much-needed institutional innovation into a strong driver of development.

His comments on the environment even carried a slightly personal touch -- the environment should be protected in the same way that people "care for one's own eyes and life," he said, adding that the political environment should, likewise, be cleansed of corruption.

Xi has also called for the peaceful development of cross-Strait ties, urging high vigilance against Taiwan independence.

Many have said that the presence of Xi and the other six senior Party and state leaders at panel discussions offered an effective way to realize democracy and mobilize society.

Xie Chuntao, a professor with the CPC Central Committee Party School, lauded the fact that Xi had sat down face-to-face with lawmakers from various regions such as Shanghai and Jiangxi in the country's east, Guangxi in the south, and Jilin in the northeast. Xi also spoke with deputies from the armed forces and political advisors with Taiwan backgrounds.

"Xi solicited the opinions from a broader spectrum of people, which will help with formulating a more comprehensive development roadmap," he said.

GETTING UNITED AND STRONGER

According to Yang Yongchun, deputy head of the China Against Corruption Association, the annual two sessions play an important role in building consensus and pooling wisdom from different sectors of society.

"The sessions have become more participatory and inclusive. People from different sectors and those who have different interests can develop trust and share their visions," Yang said.

For local-level deputies, meeting Xi was very much inspiring.

Xie Zhongyan, who manages a nature reserve around the Changbai Mountain in Jinlin, was impressed by the president's interest in wildlife conservation and tourism in the reserve.

"He made instructions about Jilin's development, which gave me insight into the leadership's policies and priorities. I myself have a better idea about how to balance the development of tourism and environmental protection," he said.

Mei Guoping, an NPC deputy and president of Jiangxi Normal University, found Xi's perspective of his hometown "quite thorough and to the point."

"He listed three priorities for Jiangxi: poverty alleviation, environmental protection and counter-corruption. He was right -- these are indeed our most important issues," Mei said.

Jiangxi lags behind in economic development but boasts a good natural environment.

"As the president said, we should put our resources and ideas together to make best use of our advantages," he said.

During a panel discussion with deputies from Shanghai, Xi exchanged ideas with economist Zhang Zhao'an about the Shanghai FTA, a pilot project to test trade and investment reform measures.

"Talking with Xi boosted my confidence in the project," said Zhang, deputy head of the Institute of Economics at the Shanghai Municipal Academy of Social Sciences.

The NPC and CPPCC annual sessions gather consensus on Party strategies to realize the Chinese dream, implement the "Four Comprehensives," and boost morale in face of uncertainties, said Zheng Yongnian, a China expert with the National University of Singapore.

"This year's sessions not only displayed the Party's strong leadership but also delivered a message to the world that under the new normal (of slower growth), China is still a land of hope and opportunity," Zheng said.