China's political sessions have sent a clear message to the world: the country will continue to deepen reforms in various fields. A more open China will play a more important role on the world stage.[Special coverage]
Forty years ago, late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping opened the curtains on China's reform and opening up drive. Huge changes have taken place since then. The country is now in a race to further deepen reforms with its doors expected to open even wider to the world.
WIDE OPEN MARKET, LOWER TARIFF
China's economy has grown rapidly since then, becoming the world's second largest and an engine of world economy, and contributing more than 30 percent of global growth.
This year, the government set its GDP growth target at around 6.5 percent. To achieve this goal, a wide open Chinese market is expected, allowing China to attract more foreign investors as well as to better integrate with the international market.
China will open its doors wider to foreign investors and further liberalize and facilitate trade and investment, said Premier Li Keqiang, when delivering a government work report at the ongoing first session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC).
China will fully open its general manufacturing sector and expand foreign investment access to sectors like financial services, telecommunications and medical services, Li added.
It will expand imports and lower import tariffs this year. The first China International Import Expo in November will bring more foreign goods to China.
NPC deputy Ma Huateng, founder and chairman of tech giant Tencent, said having lived in Shenzhen for more than 30 years, he is a witness and beneficiary of the reform and opening up drive.
Over the past four decades, Shenzhen has developed from a small fishing village to a metropolis. Ma's company has developed from one with only five members to one of the 10 biggest internet companies in the world.
"I hope technology and innovation can further push forward reform and opening up in the future," Ma said.
Reform and opening up from the late 1970s resulted in the rise of the eastern and coastal areas of China, while deepened reforms today will spread to the central and western regions to ultimately achieve common prosperity for everyone.
As the sluggish recovery of the global economy continues, China's persistent deepening of economic reforms will enhance its role as the driving force and stabilizer of the world economy, said Jiang Yuechun, an analyst with the China Institute of International Studies.
BETTER-STRUCTURED GOV'T, NEW ANTI-GRAFT LAW
In the political field, China has also shown its determination to deepen reforms.
The State Council unveiled a massive cabinet restructuring plan on Tuesday, which was submitted to the NPC first session for review, pending approval.
If passed, the cabinet would have 15 fewer entities at the ministerial or vice-ministerial levels. The move will make the government better structured, more efficient, and service-oriented.
On Sunday, the national legislature adopted a constitutional amendment, which was the first amendment to the country's fundamental law in 14 years.
Reform will carry on in the country's supervisory institutions. A draft supervision law was submitted for its third reading at the national legislature Tuesday.
The supervision law is expected to serve as a fundamental and guiding law against corruption and for state supervision, said Li Jianguo, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC).
New supervisory commissions, to be established at the national level and different local levels, will independently exercise supervisory power and will not be subject to interference from the government, social organizations or individuals.
"Reform in the supervisory system is a pioneering measure in China. The supervision law will provide crucial political and legal guarantee for the anti-corruption campaigns," said Xia Hongmin, an NPC deputy from southwest China's Guizhou Province.
